In 2017
we marked the
NOTE: The Covid-19 world-wide pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the Festival in 2020 through to 2022 and so we anxiously awaited the 63rd Annual Sunderland Lions Music Festival which was then scheduled to resume in April 2023.
Our Mission Statement
The Sunderland Lions Music Festival is intended to promote higher standards of musical awareness and achievement in our community by providing young musicians with opportunities for public performance and professional assessment. The Sunderland Lions Music Festival is committed to providing performers, teachers, adjudicators, staff and spectators with an environment that is respectful, welcoming, safe, equitable, inclusive and free from discrimination or harm in any form.
The Sunderland Lions Music Festival is intended to promote higher standards of musical awareness and achievement in our community by providing young musicians with opportunities for public performance and professional assessment. The Sunderland Lions Music Festival is committed to providing performers, teachers, adjudicators, staff and spectators with an environment that is respectful, welcoming, safe, equitable, inclusive and free from discrimination or harm in any form.
About the Festival.....
This Festival is open to all residents of the Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge in the Region of Durham, the former Townships of Eldon and Mariposa in the City of Kawartha Lakes, and the Pefferlaw and Sutton areas in the Town of Georgina in the Region of York as of the entry closure dates listed (ANY requests for extensions of this area must be submitted in writing to the Festival Committee for consideration.) Contestants, other than those in the Piano, Trained Voice and Trained Instrumental Classes must be residents of the above-mentioned areas. In the Piano and Trained Voice/Instrumental Classes, either the pupil or teacher must reside in these areas. Students of the designated adjudicators are not eligible.
From year to year, it has been very rewarding to witness the growth in skills, knowledge and music appreciation exhibited by our young area musicians. Throughout our 60 plus year history, literally tens of thousands of students have graced our stages. Their high level of entertainment has provided countless hours of pleasure for proud family members and friends. Many of these same children are now teachers and parents who continue to promote our festival and their dedication to preparing their students for performance is a key component to our success.
Mr. Lorne Thurston, chairman of the first music festival back in 1958 wrote in 2007 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations for the Sunderland Lions Music Festival, "I feel very proud of the fact that I had a small part in the Lions Club sponsoring the Music Festival. Little did I think that it would last for 50 years and grow to what it is today. I commend the members of the Lions Club for the many hours of planning and hard work that they have put into this project. I am sure the club members must feel proud of what they have accomplished over the years".
From it's early beginnings, the Sunderland Lions Music Festival has grown to the point where it now runs for 2 weeks during which participants are judged in all levels of piano, voice, strings, instrumental and choral including special band clinician and choral workshops for elementary and secondary level students. The winner of each class is then invited back to perform during our "Stars of the Festival" concerts which run during the evenings of the 3rd week at which time participants receive their class awards and other special awards and trophies.
From year to year, it has been very rewarding to witness the growth in skills, knowledge and music appreciation exhibited by our young area musicians. Throughout our 60 plus year history, literally tens of thousands of students have graced our stages. Their high level of entertainment has provided countless hours of pleasure for proud family members and friends. Many of these same children are now teachers and parents who continue to promote our festival and their dedication to preparing their students for performance is a key component to our success.
Mr. Lorne Thurston, chairman of the first music festival back in 1958 wrote in 2007 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations for the Sunderland Lions Music Festival, "I feel very proud of the fact that I had a small part in the Lions Club sponsoring the Music Festival. Little did I think that it would last for 50 years and grow to what it is today. I commend the members of the Lions Club for the many hours of planning and hard work that they have put into this project. I am sure the club members must feel proud of what they have accomplished over the years".
From it's early beginnings, the Sunderland Lions Music Festival has grown to the point where it now runs for 2 weeks during which participants are judged in all levels of piano, voice, strings, instrumental and choral including special band clinician and choral workshops for elementary and secondary level students. The winner of each class is then invited back to perform during our "Stars of the Festival" concerts which run during the evenings of the 3rd week at which time participants receive their class awards and other special awards and trophies.
Venues....
All Music Festival classes are held in 1 of 3 locations: Sunderland Town Hall, St. Andrews United Church (just around the corner from the Sunderland Town Hall) and Port Perry High School (just 20 minutes south of Sunderland). All locations are wheelchair accessible and parking is available at all locations. Street level parking is usually available near the Sunderland Town Hall on River Street or at the arena, just behind St. Andrews United Church. Parking is readily available in the school parking lot and on the streets in Port Perry. Delicious light lunches including homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts are served daily in the downstairs hall of the church by the ladies of St. Andrews United Church.
To obtain detailed directions from your location, simply
CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES BELOW
to access Google maps for that location .
CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES BELOW
to access Google maps for that location .
|
Sunderland Town Hall
120 River Street, Sunderland |
St. Andrew's United Church
10 CHURCH ST, Sunderland |
Port Perry High School
160 Rosa St, Port Perry |
Each year our festival has provided...an opportunity for countless numbers of aspiring young musicians to perform publicly before highly qualified adjudicators. These high standards have helped to raise the bar of performance over the years. Additionally, the opportunity to pursue one’s dreams and to share and develop one’s musical talents in an enjoyable atmosphere is of primary importance to this festival.
The cultural life of this area has clearly been enriched by the contributions of the festival as we continue to see many second and third generation participants listed in the program each year. It is our hope that this fine family tradition will continue and that we will endeavour to make the efforts of all of our participants a rewarding and educational experience. The festival organizers sincerely appreciate the manner in which the community has upheld the true spirit of the festival over the past years. The Sunderland Lions Club extends their deepest appreciation to the many teachers, schools, businesses and individuals who give freely of their time and ability to assist us during the festival. The Sunderland Lions Club welcomes everyone and extends their best wishes to all of the participants. We hope you will enjoy the experience of participating in the festival and thank you for sharing your love of music both with us and those around you. |
  |
Updated 12-05-2023
