The Steamboat Mountain Music Society (Business Registration Number: 827231887RR0001) is a Canadian registered nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting music and the musical arts within the Columbia Valley region of British Columbia. The organization produces the annual Steamboat Mountain Music Festival, an outdoor summer event held in Edgewater, BC, which provides performance, educational, and networking opportunities for local and regional musicians[1][2][3].

Mission and Activities

The society’s mission centers on encouraging the appreciation and development of musical arts by offering a platform for artists and engaging the community through diverse programming. The Steamboat Mountain Music Festival features live performances by both local talent and guest artists from across North America. Beyond concerts, the festival includes artist workshops, community porch parties, and educational sessions such as history of the blues, songwriting, and guitar lessons. These workshops are offered free to the public, reinforcing the society’s commitment to community engagement and musical education[1][3].

Community Engagement and Support

The festival is more than a music event; it incorporates fundraising activities like raffles, silent auctions, and a duck race. Proceeds support the society’s bursary program, which provides financial assistance to aspiring musicians in the Columbia Valley. Established in 2012, the bursary program was renamed in 2022 to honor Carol Wilkie, a beloved local music teacher, recognizing her legacy in music education. The bursary has supported over 27 projects, benefiting dozens of emerging artists, with funding generated through community gaming events and designated donations from society members[1][5].

Governance and Values

The Steamboat Mountain Music Society operates as an equal opportunity organization and recognizes the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Ktunaxa, Métis, and Secwépemc Nations where it organizes its activities. The society is governed by a board of members who oversee its operations and ensure alignment with its mission to enrich the cultural life of the valley through music[1].

Recognition and Grants

In addition to community support, the society has secured grants to aid its programs, such as a community grant received in 2017 from the Columbia Valley Community Fund. This funding has helped expand the festival from a single-day event into a three-day celebration of music and community participation[3].

Overall, the Steamboat Mountain Music Society stands as a vital cultural organization in British Columbia’s Columbia Valley, fostering musical talent and community spirit through its flagship event, educational initiatives, and support programs.

[1] https://www.steamboatmtnmusicfest.ca/about [2] https://www.charitydata.ca/charity/steamboat-mtn-music-society/827231887RR0001/ [3] https://valleyfoundation.ca/steamboat-mountain-music-society/ [4] https://ngobase.org/profile/366903 [5] https://www.steamboatmtnmusicfest.ca/bursary