MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw was alive with music last week as more than 100 student ensembles from across the Prairies converged for the 2025 Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival.

Spanning four days from May 12 to 15, the event brought a joyful cacophony to venues across the city, including the Mae Wilson Theatre, Hillcrest Apostolic Church, A.E. Peacock Collegiate, the Crescent Park Amphitheatre, St. Aidan Anglican Church, and Zion United Church.

Students from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta showcased their talents in concert bands, jazz ensembles, and choirs, performing for peers, families, and a panel of experienced clinicians. The festival’s philosophy — that music should be educational and fun — guided the event, as groups performed not to compete with one another, but to receive real-time coaching and critiques to help hone their sound.

A fan favourite, “Moosic in the Park,” returned to Crescent Park Amphitheatre on May 13 and 14. Sponsored by Visit Moose Jaw and Deja Vu Café, the outdoor lunchtime concerts offered performers a chance to shine in a relaxed, sunlit setting.

Backed by dedicated volunteers, directors, and generous sponsors, the festival once again celebrated talented young musicians, directors, and the power of live performance. Organizers expressed heartfelt thanks to all involved, with a special thanks to students: “You are the reason we do what we do.”

From first-time performers to seasoned high school ensembles, the 2025 Band and Choral Festival hit all the right notes — promising a bright future for many young musicians.