Only two more weeks until a well deserved Christmas break! To say this has been a difficult Fall would be an understatement. Learning how to teach remotely, following all the pandemic rules, and not being able to plan from week to week because of Covid-19 has been incredibly trying. From what I have been told the students as usual have made it all worth while. So many teachers are incredibly pleased at how well students have adapted and accepted this new COVID reality. Just remember this is not forever and it will end. With the introduction of a vaccine in 2021 things should eventually start to return to some sort of normality.
The Canadian Rocky Mountain Festival was looking at the possibility of a virtual festival in Spring. As a result of the increase in Covid-19 cases and the underlying uncertainty we have decided against a virtual festival. Instead, we have joined forces with www.teachband101.com. Although this web page has a large number of very useful materials for band programs we also have information specifically for choral programs and topics for all music programs on this new page. The Canadian Rocky Mountain Festival is sponsoring a new page entitled “ONE WEEK AT A TIME“ -weekly teaching support. Starting Saturday Jan. 9th we will be placing weekly teaching suggestions and aids for both instrumental and choral programs. Tom Taylor will be administering the instrumental input and Scott Leithead will be administering the choral input. Our hope is that this weekly information will make it easier for you as a teacher/director to prepare for your next week of teaching. We will have everything listed right on the page so you don’t have to waste your valuable time searching topics. The Canadian Rocky Mountain Festival, as in the past, is committed to improving music education. “ONE WEEK AT A TIME “ will not replace our Banff festival but will hopefully help you survive these very difficult times.
Stay positive and stay well!
Willie Connell
Executive Director
Canadian Rocky Mountain Festival