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 year, approximately 100 educators, students, and alumni participated, marking the highest attendance in the conference’s history. The event took place at the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building and has become a cornerstone for professional development among music educators across the Prairies and beyond.

Wendy Zander, a professor in the Department of Music Education and a long-time supporter of the conference, expressed joy about the occasion. “We’ve been doing this the third weekend in January for 20 years,” Zander stated. “Today we’re really celebrating music education.” Participants included individuals from both Alberta and Manitoba, alongside alumni who traveled from various locations to take part in the festivities.

Engaging Sessions and Celebrations of Community

Organized by the Brandon University Student Music Educators Association (BUSMEA), the conference featured a keynote presentation followed by a series of sessions covering essential topics such as elementary music, choir, community music-making, band, jazz, and inclusive education. Zander noted that these sessions highlight the vital role music education plays in schools and communities.

“It’s about celebrating the learning that goes on in our communities and the ways that music education contributes to the communities and schools in which we live and work,” she added.

This year also marked the 40th anniversary of BUSMEA, introducing a new initiative: the Beginning Band Composition Competition. Developed in collaboration with the Westman Band Directors Association, the competition attracted 33 submissions from across Canada. The top prize was awarded to “Twilight on the Prairies” by Brent Violini Pierce of Okotoks, Alberta. Other notable compositions included “Heartwood” by Lee Whitehorne of York, Ontario, and “Attack of the Drones” by Ryan Meeboer of Burlington, Ontario. Honourable mentions went to “Baby Bobcat Boops” by Chris Byman, a Brandon University alumnus, and “Saint Hilda and the Snakes” by Andrei Gueco of Abbotsford, British Columbia.

The winning compositions were performed during the final session of the conference, with each piece conducted by members of the competition’s adjudication panel. A piece by local composer Diana Neufeld was also featured, adding a regional touch to the program.

Building Confidence in Future Educators

The strong turnout at this year’s conference reflects the sense of community that has characterized Da Capo since its inception. Zander remarked on the diverse alumni presence, stating, “We have grads from the 1990s all the way up to grads from last year.”

Today’s gathering emphasized the importance of valuing community support and fostering a love for music among new generations. Zander highlighted that while the conference is open to practicing teachers, its primary audience consists of pre-service educators still in university. “This conference is planned by students, for students,” she explained. “It’s an important part of helping pre-service educators feel more confident, especially when they may be the only music teacher in a school, and helping them not just survive but thrive.”

Zander concluded by expressing her optimism for the future of the Da Capo Conference, stating, “This has been the first 20 years of Da Capo. We foresee that it will continue to be an important part of the development of students in the School of Music, and that it will thrive and survive for decades to come.”