THE annual Queensland Catholic Schools’ and Colleges’ Music Festival (QCMF), hosted by Villanova College at Coorparoo, celebrated its 21st birth-day this year with record numbers of schools and students.
Keith Druery, who helped found the festival, said what began as a “good idea” in the minds of a few staff members at Villanova College in 1991 had developed into the largest annual gathering of students from Queensland’s Catholic schools.
He said the QCMF 2011 involved 95 Catholic schools from across the state.
“Students, their teachers and supporters travelled from as far away as Cairns to be a part of the music-making,” Mr Druery said.
“Throughout the four days of the festival 11,300 student musicians from 95 Catholic schools presented 361 ensemble performances at Villanova College and nearby St James Church.”
Mr Druery said the planning and presentation of the 2011 festival required the involvement of hundreds of volunteers who took on a multitude of tasks.
“Once again the Villanova community of students (present and past), parents and college staff answered the call, ensuring the 2011 festival, the biggest ever, was as enjoyable and rewarding as the previous twenty festivals that have gone before.”
The festival began in 1991 with 43 entries from 15 schools, since then growth has occurred every year with the festival now a major event in the calendar of many Catholic schools and colleges throughout Queensland.
It is a non-competitive event and the festival committee selects respected like-minded local and inter-state professional music educators as adjudicators. Gold, silver and bronze awards are presented to every ensemble that successfully participates, reflecting their individual skills.
Schools from as far away as Cairns, Emerald, Charters Towers, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast received a total of 133 gold, 145 silver and 67 bronze awards.
Mr Druery said that, with the QCMF costing about $45,000 to stage each year, representatives of its three major sponsors, Brisbane Catholic Education, Queensland Catholic Education Commission and Ellaways Music were all present for the closing ceremony.
