Alberta International Band Festival Association

In 1971 Mr. John Nikel had a vision for a band festival that would provide an opportunity for young Albertans to perform and learn in a positive educational environment. This vision resulting in the first Alberta International band Festival (then the Alberta Stage Band Festival) with 8 jazz bands performing in the first year. Now some 54 years later the Festival annually host more than 300 school and community-based concert and jazz bands in both Edmonton and Calgary. The Alberta International Band Festivals is recognized for its commitment to education by bringing in world-class adjudicators to work with festival participants and allowing ensembles to perform in excellent performance venues. In keeping with the original vision of Mr. Nikel the festival continues to be managed by volunteers mostly band directors in both Edmonton and Calgary as a not-for-profit venture. Welcome to the Calgary Alberta International Band Festival - 'Where young Albertans learn to play and play to learn.' We're excited to announce that 2026 will be our 55th year! The Alberta International Band Festivals (Northern Alberta and Southern Alberta) are run by volunteers. The festival is a charitable organization dedicated to providing a performance platform for junior high/middle school high school and community bands. The Festivals are held each year in Calgary and Edmonton. Organizers are committed to providing participants with a valuable and stimulating educational experience in a non-competitive atmosphere as either a concert band or a jazz ensemble.