​Important Information
  • QBA BandFest 2027 is on Monday, April 12, 2027.
  • ​BandFest is being held at Laval Senior Academy (3200 boulevard du Souvenir Ouest, Laval, QC). 
  • Registration is $600 per ensemble for QBA members, or $650 for non-members and renewals.
  • Registration will open on Monday, November 2, 2026. (The form will be linked on this page.)
Registration
On the registration form, directors will be asked to select their top three time frames in order of preference. Each group will be given a 30-minute performance time within that period.
*PLEASE NOTE: choosing time frame 1 OR 5 as the first choice will guarantee your participation in the festival but for all other time slots, we will be accepting registrations on a first come, first served basis pending payment. This means that the date each payment is received is a significant consideration towards festival placement. See the time slots below:
  1. 8:00am-10:00am*
  2. 10:00am-12:00pm
  3. 12:00pm-2:00pm
  4. 2:00pm-3:30pm
  5. 4:30pm-6:30pm*
Payment can be done immediately upon registration using a credit card or can be done with a cheque made out to Quebec Band Association (mailed to 4035 rue Joseph, Verdun, H4G 1J5).
Payment in full is due by Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
​
​*No refunds will be issued after December 15, 2026.
Key Dates

Nov. 2, 2026
Registration opens

Nov. 30, 2026
Registration closes
(or until all spots are filled)

Dec. 15, 2026
Payment deadline
(no refunds after this date)

Feb. 19, 2027
Selection titles & band bio due

Apr. 12, 2027
BandFest
Registration will remain open until November 30, 2026, or until all spots are filled. At that time, a waitlist will be created.
Festival Outline
  1. Ensembles are encouraged to arrive approximately an hour prior to their performance time and arrive wearing performance attire.
  2. Each performing ensemble will arrive at the festival site and be led to a room to deposit coats and cases. They will then be guided to the warm-up room for 30 minutes leading up to their performing time.
  3. The warm-up room will contain chairs and stands as well as basic percussion equipment: 4 timpani, snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, marimba, crash cymbals, bongos.
  4. Each performing ensemble will get a 30-minute performance slot. This will include getting on the stage and setting up, performing, and getting off the stage.
  5. The stage will have the following percussion equipment: 4 timpani, snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, crash cymbals, congas, bongos, suspended cymbal. *Each group is responsible for bringing their own accessories and mallets, and we recommend that you label everything clearly.
  6. Once an ensemble has concluded their performance, they will be guided to the clinic room, where they will have a 30-minute clinic with one of the adjudicators.
  7. The clinic room will contain chairs, stands and percussion equipment: 4 timpani, snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, crash cymbals, bongos, suspended cymbal.

*Groups are encouraged to either arrive early or stay late to listen to other schools perform.
**There is ample room in the parking lot for buses and parents using their own vehicles.
Selections
  1. Bands are required to perform a minimum of two and a maximum of three selections, with at least one work by a Canadian composer.
  2. Directors are encouraged to be mindful of the time constraints when choosing their repertoire – each band has 30 minutes total, which includes getting on and off the stage as well as performing.
  3. Band may choose to play a one-minute, unadjudicated chorale or similar warm-up on the stage before performing their selections. Please note that this warm-up counts towards the 30 minutes of stage time.
  4. Titles of selections must be submitted by Friday, February 19, 2027.
  5. Ensembles must provide two original copies of the scores they are performing. No photocopies will be permitted unless accompanied by an official letter from the publisher.
*For Canadian repertoire suggestions, please use the following as resources:
Classification
Bands will enter in one of the following categories (determined by the repertoire they choose) and receive a rating from each adjudicator:
  • Beginning (grades 0.5-1.5)
  • Developing (grades 2-3)
  • Advanced (grades 3.5 and up)
Other info
  • Bands will be asked to submit a short band bio by February 19, 2027.
  • ​​The Laval Senior Academy cafeteria WILL be open from 11:00am to 1:00pm for bands who wish to bring their lunch and eat there. There will not be any food for purchase.
Rating
The festival will have three adjudicators – one will be giving recorded comments for each performance, and one will give written comments and work with the ensemble in a clinic format immediately afterward.

If you have chosen to perform for adjudication and grades, each adjudicator will assign a One, Two, Three, Four, or Five-Star rating, based on the descriptions below:
  • 5 Stars (Superior): Represents an outstanding performance. It is nearly flawless in execution and demonstrates the highest level of artistry and technical command.
  • 4 Stars (Excellent): An exceptional performance with many commendable aspects, and demonstrates detailed preparation and musical insight. 
  • 3 Stars (Good/Average): A solid performance that shows accomplishment but presents with occasional challenges in consistency.
  • 2 Stars (Fair): A performance showing significant room for improvement in musical and technical elements. 
  • 1 Star (Poor/Unsatisfactory): A performance showing a lack of sufficient preparation or has severe technical and musical challenges.​
Questions
​Please contact a representative of the Festival organizing committee with any questions:
[email protected]

Adjudicators

To be announced