Lion President H. E. Picard opened the 1958 festival on Monday, March 31. He was followed immediately by a group of 8 year old pianists. There were fifteen of them. They included Mel Avoledo of Blairmore who was the first performer, Sandra White of Bellevue, Albert Krywolt of Bellevue, Greg Ferstay of Blairmore, Fred Bradley of Blairmore.

   The Festival concluded on Wednesday afternoon with Gary Poulsen of Cowley playing a Bach Class – Piano Accordion , 12 years and under. The winner of that class was Lee Sickoff of Bellevue. The 1958 Festival was the second festival following the revival of Crowsnest Pass Festivals in 1957. It was held in the Elks Hall. There were 292 entries. All were adjudicated by Lyell Gustin.

    Fifty years later there are four adjudicators. Doreen Laing of Lethbridge will adjudicate piano; Melanie Cherwniwchan of Sylvan Lake adjudicates choral and vocal; Kenneth Rogers of Lethbridge adjudicates band and instruments. For the first time in its history the Festival will have a separate string adjudicator, Jeremy van Dieman from Calgary. There are about 200 entries this year.

   There are six days of performances. All choral and vocal will be Monday, March 10 at Crowsnest Centre. Stings and orchestra are on Wednesday at Crowsnest Centre. Thursday and Friday are scheduled for piano at the Centre. Bands and band instruments are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at Crowsnest Consolidated High School.

   These words quoted from the Forward to the 1958 program are as applicable today as they were then.

   “In membership (the committee) is quite small and, although each member worked hard, this festival could not have materialized without the help of our friends, even then it required the expert assistance of the Music Teachers and School Teachers to ensure its success. At this time we should like to record our thanks and appreciation to teachers, our local merchants and businessmen and, of course, to all others who gave of their time and talent so freely.

   Success this year will depend on the good will and assistance of the whole community and, from past experience, we know we can rely on their continuance.

   Our reward will be some contribution to the musical culture of the district."

 Advance programs ($3.00) will be available at Pharmasave or Rexall Drug Stores starting Monday, March 3.

52nd Annual Crowsnest Pass Music Festival

200 entries

Vocal and Choral – Monday, March 10 at Crowsnest Centre

Stings and Orchestra – Wed., March 12 at Crowsnest Centre

Band and Band Instruments – Wed. & Thurs. at Crowsnest Consolidated HS

Piano – Thurs. and Fri., March 13 & 14 at Crowsnest Centre

Grand Concert and Presentation of Awards – Sunday, March 16, 2:00pm, Crowsnest Centre

All regular sessions: Silver Collection at the door Grand Concert $5.00 (Family $12.00 – Parents & school age children)