Brandon University Celebrates 20 Years of Da Capo Conference

The Brandon University School of Music celebrated a significant milestone on January 20, 2024, as it hosted the 20th annual Da Capo Conference. This event brought together educators, students, and alumni, marking the highest attendance in the conference’s history with around 100 participants at the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building.

The Da Capo Conference has evolved into a vital platform for professional development among music educators across the Prairies and beyond. According to Wendy Zander, a professor in the Department of Music Education and a long-time supporter of the conference, “We’ve been doing this the third weekend in January for 20 years. Today we’re celebrating music education.” The gathering featured attendees from both Alberta and Manitoba, along with alumni traveling from afar to reflect on the event’s two-decade legacy.

Organized by the Brandon University Student Music Educators Association (BUSMEA), the conference included a keynote session, followed by a series of presentations. These sessions addressed various topics, including elementary music, choir, community music-making, band, jazz, and inclusive education. Zander noted that these themes highlight the essential role music education plays in enriching schools and communities.

This year’s conference coincided with the 40th anniversary of BUSMEA and introduced a new initiative: the Beginning Band Composition Competition. This initiative, developed alongside the Westman Band Directors Association, attracted 33 submissions from across Canada. The top prize was awarded to “Twilight on the Prairies” by Brent Violini Pierce from Okotoks, Alberta. Other notable compositions included “Heartwood” by Lee Whitehorne of York, Ontario, and “Attack of the Drones” by Ryan Meeboer of Burlington, Ontario.

The winning compositions were performed in the conference’s final session, conducted by members of the adjudication panel. Additionally, a piece by local composer Diana Neufeld was featured, bringing a regional highlight to the event. One of the conductors, Kaylin McDermott, currently works as a music educator in Nepal.

Zander emphasized the strong sense of community that has characterized the Da Capo Conference since its inception. “We have grads from the 1990s all the way up to grads from last year,” she said. “Today is about valuing our community and supporting each other in teaching new generations to love music making.” She highlighted the importance of music as a crucial part of culture and tradition, as well as its role in shaping the future.

Although the conference welcomes practicing teachers, it primarily targets pre-service educators, many of whom are still completing their university studies. Zander remarked, “This conference is planned by students, for students. It helps pre-service educators feel more confident, especially if they are the only music teacher in a school, empowering them to thrive rather than just survive.”

The vision for the Da Capo Conference remains focused on student development and sustainability. “This has been the first 20 years of Da Capo,” Zander stated. “We foresee that it will continue to be an essential part of the development of students in the School of Music, thriving for decades to come.”

This year’s gathering not only celebrated the past but also set the stage for the future of music education, reinforcing the conference’s role in fostering a vibrant musical community.