Promoting excellence in vocal & instrumental music through a supportive annual festival in Truro, inspiring artists and audiences alike. The Truro Music Festival Society celebrated their centenary anniversary in May of 2022 and released a newly published book entitled More Joyful Noise written by Donna Hogan, which chronicled the last 25 years of the Festival. The previous 75 years were covered in
a book entitled Making A Joyful Noise, written by Donna’s mother Roberta Lindsay. The Festival began as result of a combined meeting of the Truro Choral and Orchestral Societies on May 18th, 1922, when it was suggested that the Societies inaugurate a Music Competition for the school children of the town. In the beginning, the Festival was only for town schools and known as the Truro Choral Society Music Competition. Taking place on a single Saturday in May in the old Colchester County Academy, the first competition took place on June 2, 1923 under the leadership of Professor Harry Wellard. A century later, the rich history of music in the town of Truro continues to be on display every March and April, culminating in an awards concert in May. Initially known as the Truro Choral Society Music Competition, the TMFS has grown substantially to include disciplines across the vast scope of music. The Society now conducts classes in Musical Theatre, Song and Dance, Recitations, Monologues, Jazz and Blues, Junior and Senior Piano, Voice, School and Community Choirs, Bands, and Instrumental Solos and Ensembles. Over the course of approximately 18 days of competition in 5 different venues, 5 adjudicators, and numerous volunteers, our Festival has become a staple of the community for 100 continuous years. Jane Archibald, John Gray, Lenore Zann, Jamie Gatti, Holly Shephard, and Frank MacKay are a few of the Festival alumni with well established professional careers, while others such as Corey Bowles, Rachel O’Brien, Andrew Boudreau, Leah Johnston, Andrew Morrisey, and Julia MacLellan, are also making their own name in the professional ranks. The board members of the non-profit Society are all volunteer community members and meet monthly from September thru June. Throughout the history of the Festival, there have been up to 40 Presidents/Directors and countless others on the board fulfilling the necessary roles leading up to the competition classes. Blessed with an abundance of school and private teachers through the years, Truro takes great pride in the accomplishments of the Society, its teachers, and its students as they begin season #101.
