Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba, will host its annual Clarinet Festival on February 28 and March 1, 2026, bringing together local students and internationally recognized guest artists for a weekend of public concerts. The event will be based in the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building and gives residents a chance to hear international talent and participate in community music-making.
Organized by Dr. Catherine Wood, the festival includes masterclasses, pedagogical workshops and intensive lessons for players of all skill levels. A highlight of the weekend is the massed clarinet choir, where participants ranging from middle school students to retirees perform together.
Activities will take place across the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building — including the acoustically renowned Lorne Watson Recital Hall and various studios within the Brandon University School of Music. The QEII building opened in 1984 and has been a central venue for the city’s musical life for over 40 years.
Participation in workshops typically requires registration and a fee (fees and exact details vary by year), while many of the evening concerts are open to the general public via ticket purchase or free-will offering. For the official schedule, guest-artist roster and ticketing information, refer to Brandon University’s Festivals & Workshops page or the Clarinet Festival event listing on the university’s events site, or contact the BU School of Music office for confirmation.
