The Battlefords Music Festival came to a celebratory close Wednesday on the Dekker Centre Stage. All the festival adjudicators were impressed with the quality of teaching and participant skill level in the Battlefords. The selections for the Gala were made by the adjudicators in each musical discipline: vocal, musical theatre, speech arts, band, strings and piano. All Gala performers showcased also received awards.
Performances ranged from laugh-inducing to touching, atmospheric to technical brilliance. Dance Connection鈥檚 junior musical theatre ensemble grabbed everyone鈥檚 attention, opening the show with charming scenes from Pinocchio.
Piano performances ranged from a junior piano duet from Sadie Gryba and Rhiannon Kruger to the artistry of Ashlynn Elmer and Emily Jung from the senior category.
Stunning strings performances were shared by Jenny Jun and Zaide Masich. Speech arts renditions are always an entertaining audience favourite. There were several lovely solo vocal performers from an age range of local talent along with the delightful Kamala youth choir.
It was a joy to see two returning Battlefords youth who will be continuing their musical studies complete the program; Nicole Klippenstein from the senior vocal category and accomplished woodwinds player extraordinaire Cole Knutson.
Following the performances, numerous awards and scholarships were presented to festival participants. All awards are entirely at the discretion of the adjudicators. A special thanks to Nick Fransoo who hosted as the Gala MC.
It was a packed but inspiring festival week for participants and spectators this year. Many people commented on how well the festival was organized, how warm and friendly the volunteers were. The festival cannot function without the many volunteers working as door stewards and secretaries. Setting up and tearing down is much less of a burden with many hands helping. There would not be a stage to showcase local talent without the flexibility of festival venues. Third United Church accommodated the bulk of this year鈥檚 festival traffic accommodating performance and warm-up spaces.
The festival appreciates the generosity of award sponsors, supporters, volunteers, accompanists, teachers and families and the Battlefords community at large for encouraging a new generation of musicians. Looking ahead to next season, do keep in mind that we are always looking for parents and community-minded music lovers to step forward and say, 鈥淗ow can I help?鈥� If you might be willing to assist, even in a small way with the 2018 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival, simply share your interest with any committee member.
鈥淚n regard to music, I just think that it's always best to have an attitude of being a perpetual student and always look to learn something new about music, because there's always something new to learn. Don't dismiss something out of hand because you think it's either beneath you or outside of the realm of where your interests lie.鈥�
鈥� David Sanborn
