There are three adjudicators, all from Saskatchewan, coming to share their knowledge and support with participants for the 2021 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival. Already introduced were vocalist Chris Kelly and Janet Tieck, with her piano expertise. Our third adjudicator, Mark Preece, brings band and instrumental expertise.
Preece began playing the tuba at age 12 in the Salvation Army. He is the principal tuba and librarian of the Regina Symphony Orchestra. He has master鈥檚 and bachelor degrees in music as well as a bachelor degree in tuba performance. He has studied with renowned tubists Roger Bobo, Patrick Sheridan, Sam Pilafian and John Griffiths.
Preece is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator with the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association. He works as a clinician throughout Saskatchewan and has taught brass to students ranging from beginners to university students and adult. He works with bands, ensembles and soloists at regional and provincial music festivals. Preece is the tuba and euphonium instructor at Regina鈥檚 Conservatory for the Performing Arts, teaches tuba and euphonium at the University of Regina, and is also on faculty at the International Music Camp in North Dakota.
As an orchestral musician, he has performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Alberta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Metamorphosis Symphony. His career has led him to performances in the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan.
In addition to orchestral music, Preeceis also an active chamber musician. He is a member of Big Sky Brass, Regina鈥檚 professional brass ensemble, and the International Tuba Quartet. Preece is also an active music arranger. He has written arrangements for brass band, orchestral brass and brass chamber ensembles as well as pieces for solo tuba and tuba quartet.
Preece鈥檚 music has been performed and recorded worldwide, including performances by Big Sky Brass, the Regina Symphony Orchestra and the Fairey Band of Great Britain. His music is mostly self-published, with some of his library available at the Score Exchange and Cimarron Music Press. He also enjoys performing recitals and teaching master classes.
Preece is a member of the International Tuba and Euphonium Association and is an affiliate member of Andover Educators.
With more than 200 festival entries in hand, the festival committee is creating the performance schedule, adjusting dates so all the entries may be heard between April 19 and 24. There will be performances in piano, vocal, musical theatre, speech arts, strings and instrumental solos.聽All solos, duets and trios will be heard at the Dekker Centre with sessions live-streamed and a small audience attending.
Entries submitted by recording, give students (and teachers) an opportunity to gain skills in that process that will probably serve everyone well as we move into the future post-COVID-19.聽Bands and other ensembles will be heard by recording made in the venue that the group usually uses for rehearsal.聽
Vocal, musical theatre and speech arts classes will run April 19-20.聽 Bands and instrumental entries will be heard April 21.聽 Piano classes will run April 22-24. A recorded gala concert including the announcement of award winners will be created and made available for viewing.
Keep in mind that volunteers are needed for the festival. Those who would like to add their name to the volunteer list can talk to any Committee member or email [email protected].
鈥淎 friend of mine, that I had known for some time, came up one day with an old guitar. I don鈥檛 know where he got it, I don鈥檛 know how long he鈥檇 had it, but he knew about two chords on it. He proceeded to teach them to me, and then we proceeded to go crazy over music.鈥濃�懧燙harlie Daniels (1958 鈥� 2020)
