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2026

The Manitoba Band Association festivals are a tradition that dates back to 1976. Over the past 40+ years, this Family of Festivals has grown to include the Concert Band Festival, Jazz Band Festival, Level One Festival in Winnipeg and Brandon, and the Community Band Festival.

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Concert Band Festival: February 17 - 20, 2026 – RBC Convention Centre

Registration opens September 15, 2025.

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Jazz Band Festival: March 5 - 6, 2026 – Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain

Registration opens September 15, 2025.

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Level One Winnipeg Festival: April 21 - 24, 2026 – My Church Winnipeg

Ensembles with more than 75 members will be scheduled on Friday April 24, 2026.

Registration opens September 15, 2025.

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Level One Brandon Festival: April 28 - 29, 2026 – Brandon University & Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium

Registration opens September 15, 2025.

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Community Band Festival: June 6 - 7, 2026 - Coronation Park

Registration opens TBA.

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Future Festival Dates

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Festival Q & A

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St. John's Music is the proud supplier of all things percussion at the MBA Family of Festivals! Don't miss out on their Festival Percussion Sale!

 

For more details,

call 204-783-8899 or email winnipeg@stjohnsmusic.com

2026 Concert Band Festival

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New 2026 information now available!

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MBA Concert Band Festival is both a competitive and non-competitive environment, and is affiliated with MusicFest Canada. Band directors are encouraged to enter the Class that best suits their ensemble’s needs, regardless of grade level. Please use the Festival Syllabus below as a guideline for Class entry.

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Dates: February 17 - 20, 2026

Location: RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg

Registration Deadline: Friday, November 14, 2025

Registration Fee: $400.00 for MBA Members; $475.00 for non-MBA Members

Please visit our Membership page for more information on MBA Membership

 

Registration includes photo package for the ensemble.

No GST or PST is charged.

Please make cheques payable to the Manitoba Band Association.

The date each payment is received is a significant scheduling consideration. 

Registration is Non-Refundable after the registration deadline: Friday, November 14, 2025.

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2026 Resources: â€‹

  1. 2026 Concert Band Syllabus

  2. 2026 Concert Band Guidelines & Instructions

    1. Concert Band Festival Percussion Setup​

  3. Concert Band Festival Rubric

  4. Submit your Band Profile online OR Print a PDF of Band Profile to bring to Festival

  5. Submit Song Titles online by January 16, 2026

  6. J.J. Ali Photography

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Registration opens September 15, 2025

2026 Jazz Band Festival

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New 2026 information now available!

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MBA Jazz Band Festival is both a competitive and non-competitive environment, and is affiliated with MusicFest Canada. Band directors are encouraged to enter the Class that best fits their ensemble’s needs, regardless of grade level.

 

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Class                                                                                  Difficulty Rating

Beginner (typically grade 8 and lower)                                      1-2

Junior (typically grade 9 and lower)                                            2-3

Intermediate (typically grade 10 and lower)                             3-4

Senior (typically grade 11/12 and lower)                                   4-5

Advanced (typically advanced grade 11/12)                             5-6                               

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Please use the Jazz Repertoire Resource List as a guideline for Difficulty Rating and Class. The Beginner Class is non-competitive only.

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Dates: March 5 - 6, 2026

Location: Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain

Registration Deadline: November 14, 2025 

Registration Fee: $400.00 for MBA Members; $475.00 for non-MBA Members

Please visit our Membership page for more information on MBA Membership

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Registration includes photo package for the ensemble.

No GST or PST is charged.

Please make cheques payable to the Manitoba Band Association.

The date each payment is received is a significant scheduling consideration. 

Registration is Non-Refundable after the registration deadline: Friday, November 14, 2025.

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2026 Resources: â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹

  1. Jazz Repertoire Resource List

  2. 2026 Jazz Band Guidelines & Instructions & 2026 Beginner Class Guidelines

  3. Beginning Jazz Festival Resources

  4. Submit your Band Profile Online  OR  Link to print PDF of Band bio to bring to Festival

  5. Submit your Repertoire Selections online by January 16, 2026

  6. J.J. Ali Photography

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Registration opens September 15, 2025

2026 Level One Band Festival

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New 2026 information now available!

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This festival is designed to be a first festival experience for young bands, and to reinforce the fundamentals taught by their directors. Bands move through three 20 minute sessions - Performance, Adjudication and Band Basics. Teamwork, independence, behaviour, responsibility, and numerous other transferable skills are developed as a side benefit of participating in festival performances for the ensemble members.
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While Class 1A is intended for groups in their first year of instruction, Class 1B is geared more for groups in their second year of instruction. Some second year ensembles opt to perform in the 1A category. Third year bands are encouraged to consider Class 2 of the MBA Concert Band Festival. Use the syllabus to guide your decision as to which Class or festival to enter.
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Dates:

  1. Winnipeg - April 21 - 24, 2026. Ensembles with more than 75 members will be scheduled on Friday April 24, 2026. â€‹

  2. Brandon - April 28 - 29, 2026

 

Locations:

  1. Winnipeg - My Church Winnipeg, 955 Wilkes Ave

  2. Brandon - Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium & Brandon University

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Registration Deadline: January 23, 2026  

Registration Fee: $400.00 for MBA Members; $475.00 for non-MBA Members

Please visit our Membership page for more information on MBA Membership

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Registration includes photo package for the ensemble.

No GST or PST is charged.

Please make cheques payable to the Manitoba Band Association.

The date each payment is received is a significant scheduling consideration.

Registration is Non-Refundable after the registration deadline: January 23, 2026.

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2026 Resources: â€‹â€‹

  1. 2026 Level One Guidelines & Instructions

  2. 2026 Level One Syllabus

  3. MBA Chorales

  4. Submit your Repertoire Selections here by March 20, 2026

  5. Submit your Band Profile Online  OR  Print a PDF of Band Profile to bring to Festival

  6. J.J. Ali Photography

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Registration opens September 15, 2025

Community Band Festival 2025

Community bands have been a part of Manitoba's heritage for more than a century. The MBA sponsors an annual event in June.
Date: June 7 - 8, 2025 at Coronation Park CANCELLED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER
Please visit the Community Band Page for the full schedule
Community Bands must be current Manitoba Band Association members to qualify for the free member rate. To become a member, please visit mbband.org

Registration Deadline: May 5, 2025  

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Registration Fee: Free for MBA Member Community Bands; $80.00 for non-MBA Member Community Bands

Please visit our Membership page for more information on MBA Membership

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No GST or PST is charged.

Please make cheques payable to the Manitoba Band Association.

Registration is Non-Refundable after the registration deadline: May 5, 2025.

SCHEDULING

Ensemble schedules will be prioritized by submission date and scheduling considerations as noted below. Logistical factors will be given high priority in scheduling. We will do our best to accomodate everyone's requests as best as we can.

Performance times will depend on demand, but will begin on the hour approximately between Noon and 6pm each day. Please plan a set of no more than 45-minutes (including talking) to allow transition time after your performance.

Registration is now closed.

Future Festival Dates:

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Concert Band Festival:

February 17 - 20, 2026

February 16 - 19, 2027

February 22 - 25, 2028

February 20 - 23, 2029

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Jazz Band Festival:

March 5 - 6, 2026

March 3 - 6, 2027

March 1 - 4, 2028

February 28 - March 3, 2029

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Level One Festival

April 21 - 24, 2026 (Winnipeg)

April 28 - 29, 2026 (Brandon)

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Festival Questions & Answers 

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Q. When should I register for the festival? 

A. The festival schedule is heavily dependent on registration date. If you have a scheduling request, you should register well before the deadline. If you are requesting a mid-day performance time, your registration should be received in early fall. Typically 70% of the registrations are received by mid November. Groups are also carefully scheduled by size to accommodate the room space available at the venues.

 

Q. Can I request a specific performance time/day? 

A. Yes, though it is more helpful to list the times/days that don’t work for you. Please provide at least a 6 hour window when you can play (additional time is needed if you are requesting 2 groups on the same day). We will make every effort to accommodate requests made before the registration deadline, within reason.

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Q. If my performance time is not suitable can I request a change. 

A. Yes, the director is asked to email the MBA to review options first. The director then contacts other directors to request a switch. If both directors agree, the director initiating the change must advise the MBA before the deadline for changes. Ensembles of similar size are encouraged to switch first to ensure correct room size and accommodations.

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Q. Do I need to provide scores for the adjudicators? 

A. Adjudicator scores will be provided for syllabus titles from the Class entered. Concert Band registrants must provide three (3) original scores when performing a list piece from a different Class or a non-syllabus selection. Jazz Band registrants must provide two (2) original scores for each title, as there is no syllabus list. Level One registrants must provide two (2) original scores when performing a list piece from a different Class or a non-syllabus selection. Consult your music dealer early - publisher delivery can be slow.

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Q. Why is each group asked to perform a chorale? 

A. The intent is for the group to demonstrate phrasing, tone, musicality, slow tempo, and a legato style. The teacher may select one of the three chorales posted at www.mbband.org or their choice of another short chorale. The chorale will be played at the beginning of the performance. A score of the chorale does not need to be provided to the adjudicator.

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Q. What time should we arrive at the festival? 

A. If you will not be listening to groups prior to your performance, please arrive about 30 minutes before your performance time. Add 20 minutes for every group you wish to hear before you perform.

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Q. How will we know how to navigate the festival site? 

A. Festival volunteers will meet you in the lobby and guide you through each phase of the festival.

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Q. Are students permitted to listen to other bands? 

A. Yes! This is an important part of the festival experience for your band as well as other bands, as you help to create an audience. It is recommended that students listen to a maximum of three groups either before or after your performance.

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Q. Is the public permitted to attend? 

A. Yes, and they may also follow the band to hear the post performance clinic, although space is limited in the clinic rooms. Admission is by donation (recommended $5/adult).

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Q. Where does a band store their instrument cases and coats? 

A. Each ensemble will be provided a space in the storage area to store coats and instruments during the time of their performance and clinic. While the space will be monitored, students should not leave valuables in this space.

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Q. How much time will we have in our warm up room? 

A. Each group will have up to 15-20 minutes to line-up and tune before going on stage. There are chairs but no stands.

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Q. Are the adjudicator/clinician comments recorded or written? 

A. You will receive both written and recorded comments. At the Concert Band Festival, two adjudicators will record their comments, while a third will prepare written comments and then conduct a clinic with your ensemble. At the Jazz Band and Level One Festivals, one adjudicator/clinician will record their comments, while the other will prepare written comments and offer the band a post performance clinic. At the Level One Festival only, a third clinician will conduct the Band Basics session following the clinic.

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Q. Where does the post performance clinic take place? 

A. The Jazz Band and Level One clinics will take place offstage in a separate clinic room. It is important that when instructed, the band moves quickly and quietly to the clinic room so as to maximize the clinic time. The Band Basics sessions at the Level One Festival follow in the same room. At the Concert Band Festival, the clinics will happen on stage immediately following the performance. Family and friends attending the festival are welcome and encouraged to follow the ensemble to the clinic room to observe the workshop/clinic and the Band Basic sessions. 

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Q. Will the band receive a photograph? 

A. Yes, a picture will be taken of each group following their performance. At the Level One Festival only, this photo will be taken on stage. Each school will receive a complimentary copy. Additional copies are available to the students for purchase. 

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Q. At the Level One Festival, wouldn’t a photo taken in an off stage location produce a better image? 

A. Yes. However, this would add 20 minutes to each group’s stay, require a suitable photo room and would mean that groups would need to store their instruments for another 20 minutes. Adding 20 minutes would pose bussing problems for some and strain the space available for instrument storage. In addition, additional space would need to be available and would need to be rented, which would increase costs.

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Q. Do adjudicators/clinicians provide a grade for each performance? 

A. Adjudicators at the Concert and Jazz Band Festivals will provide a grade if you’ve registered to receive a grade. If you’ve registered for Comments Only, no grade will be provided. The Level One Festival is not a competitive festival, therefore  no marks, grades, trophies or scholarships are awarded. Adjudicators/clinicians are asked to provide helpful, encouraging and constructive comments at all festivals.

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Q. When do we depart the festival? 

A. At the Concert Band and Jazz Band Festivals, plan to depart about 5 - 10 minutes after your photo. At the Level One Festival, plan to depart about 5 - 10 minutes after the end of your Band Basics session. If you wish to hear a group perform, you will depart 10 minutes later. If you wish to hear two groups perform your departure time will be 30 minutes later.

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Have another question? Contact Kim Pelletier, Program and Membership Coordinator, at coordinator@mbband.org, or call the MBA Office at 204-663-1226.

Thank You to our
2024 Festival Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Band Boosters

2024 Family of Festivals Program

The Manitoba Band Association
Concert and Jazz Band Festivals
are affiliates of MusicFest Canada

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© 2024 by the Manitoba Band Association, a proudly affiliated member of the Canadian Band Association

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