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The 83rd Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival came to a celebratory close at the Gala on Wednesday night, April 9 in Logie Hall in Third Avenue United Church.

After opening remarks and Emilia Bacchetto's rendition of O Canada, the St. Vital Treble Makers induced audience chuckles with their adorable interpretation of the poem My Grannies. The Kamala Consort enchanted the room with their delicate arrangement of Barb'ry Ellen. Solo performances ranged from emerging fine vocalist Morgan Esquirol singing Prairie Boy, Prairie Boy and senior vocalist James Chipak singing Bellini's Vaga luna, che inargenti to Chopin's Nocturne in D Opus 27 performed by Katrina MacKinnon on piano to the accomplished young cellist Zaide Masish performing Flight of the Bumblebee along with a sampling of band instrument performances and musical theatre. A treat near the end of the program was the strings ensemble Group of Seven with Joplin's The Entertainer. Jovially connecting the musical portion of the program to the award portion were this year's entertaining MC duo, Dave McQuaid and Sheldon Revet.

More than $10,000 worth of awards and scholarships were disbursed among children from all the musical disciplines offered by the festival, awards recognized promising beginners, developing intermediates and accomplished senior students. How wonderful to see this kind of support and generosity extended to young local musicians from community businesses, organizations and individuals. Bravo to your support of music and arts education in the Battlefords!

Eligibility for awards and scholarships require that the Festival participant be 19 years of age or younger, have lived in the Battlefords district for at least six months prior to the festival and performed two or more solo selections or at least one solo and one duet or trio in the same discipline.

It is good manners to thank the sponsor of awards so be sure to graciously extend thanks to awards sponsors if you were a recipient. We also salute the commitment to quality education and goals of excellence fostered by local teachers that was clearly evident as the adjudicators praised the high calibre of skills displayed. For participants recommended for provincial competition, please note that pieces must be memorized to compete at the provincial level.

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 festival traffic along with some local schools; NBCHS, BCS and Bready.

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, "How can I help?" We are one of the longest running local festivals. If you have any interest in supporting the continuation of this event, the committee is in need of new members. If you might be willing to assist, even in a small way, with the general planning and/or execution of the 2015 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival, please do not hesitate to contact current president Shianne Revet at 306-445-5756 or 306-481-6302 with any questions.

Hats off to all the brilliant performers who displayed their skills and talent in the course of this year's festival. Congratulations to you all! Please keep practising and making our community ring with your gifts! We look forward to seeing and hearing you next year. Good luck to all going on to participate in the upcoming provincial music festival held this year in Saskatoon. Best wishes to young people graduating from high school this year going on to pursue various careers, some in the field of music.

The festival and the awards program thrive due to the generosity of the many organizations, businesses and individuals who lend their support. We appreciate those who contributed financially to the semi-concert grand piano restoration in Logie Hall. This was a $6000 refurbishment project.

"Works of arts make rules; rules do not make works of art. - Claude Debussy?