2003 Inductees: Charles St. Clair Strong
Category: Founder
|
Kiwanian CHARLIE STRONG was a leader of the Music Festival movement in St. John's for many years - from the early 1960's up until his death in the late 1970's. In some quarters during these years he was referred to as "Mr. Music Festival", due to the high profile that the Festival attained during his time of association.
|
Immediately on becoming a Kiwanian, Charlie became identified with the Kiwanis Music Festival. He served as Festival President three times - 1965, 1966, and 1968, and was very prominent in it's leadership for many years in addition to that. During his period of leadership, the financial position of the Association improved considerably, thanks, in great part, to his efforts.
Under his leadership, several innovations were incorporated: Firstly; it was about 1967 that the idea of a National Music Festival was being formulated under the guidance of the Canadian Federation of Music Festivals. This, of course, required the organization of a provincial Festival in each province. Charlie was the leader of the Newfoundland group which pioneered this movement, and which organized the very first Provincial Music Festival. He was the first President of the Provincial Federation, and a Director and 2ndVice-President of the Canadian Federation of Music Festivals.
Secondly; after about 10 years, the Festival Association came to realize that the Festival seemed to be reaching certain limits, due mostly to the fact that at that time in the city of St. John's, no formal musical training was available beyond the secondary school level. Several people, Charlie Strong among them, advocated a School of Music at our University. Today, there is little doubt that the Music Festival Association of St. John's, and the lobbying of Festival leaders, were significant factors in creating a positive climate for the establishment of this School of Music.
Thirdly; Charlie Strong's leadership was also instrumental in the addition to our Syllabus of Concert Group, Major Works, and various other diverse Senior Solo Classes, to encourage senior students to attempt to perform more advanced musical compositions.
For many years, the person of Charles St. Clair strong was undoubtedly the most prominent leader of the St. John's Music Festival, and the Association is most pleased at this time to induct him into the Festival's HALL OF HONOUR in the Founders Category.
[ top of page ]
|
-