Right now, the Manitoba Band Association (MBA) is celebrating a major milestone in 2025 with the 50th anniversary of its Family of Festivals, one of Canada’s largest band festivals. Over 12,500 musicians from across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario will participate in this year’s expanded events, which promote music-making, education, and community building.
A Legacy of Music Education
Since its inception in 1976, the MBA Family of Festivals has played a pivotal role in Manitoba’s musical landscape, fostering growth and excellence in both student and community bands. This year’s festivals, running from February through June, will feature an unprecedented lineup of performances, workshops, and adjudications.
The festival welcomes over 6,200 students from 132 concert bands and 45 jazz bands, with 1,050 students performing for a panel of 12 nationally and internationally renowned adjudicators. Additionally, the festival’s Level One component will see nearly 5,300 young musicians from 103 bands perform in Winnipeg and Brandon.
New Additions and Growth in 2025
To accommodate rising participation, the MBA has introduced several key expansions:
-
Concert Band Festival Growth: A nearly 30% increase in participation has led to the addition of a third performance stage at the RBC Convention Centre.
-
Level One Festival Expansion: A new venue day has been added in Winnipeg at École Regent Park, and Brandon’s festival now includes an extra day and a Band Celebration concert featuring the RCAF Band and local ensembles.
-
New Community Band Festival: Taking place June 6–8 at Coronation Park in Winnipeg, this non-competitive event encourages lifelong music-making and community participation.
Festival Dates and Locations
-
Concert Band Festival: February 18–21 at RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg
-
Jazz Band Festival: February 27–28 at Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain
-
Level One Winnipeg Festival: April 22–24 at My Church Winnipeg & April 25 at École Regent Park
-
Level One Brandon Festival: April 29–30 at Brandon University & Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium
-
Community Band Festival: June 6–8 at Coronation Park, Winnipeg
A Lasting Impact
Brent Johnson, Executive Director of the Manitoba Band Association, emphasized the festival’s significance: “The Family of Festivals is more than just a series of performances—it’s a celebration of learning, collaboration, and musical excellence. We are thrilled to see it continue to grow, ensuring more students and community members can share in this enriching experience.”
With its rich history and commitment to fostering musical talent, the MBA Family of Festivals continues to be a cornerstone of Manitoba’s cultural and artistic community. For more information, visit www.mbband.org.
