The Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival has concluded with 12 local performers moving on to the provincial festival in each of the festival's categories.
In the speech arts category, David Patterson was the only participant recommended to provincials. David also won the $100 Promising Performer award in the speech arts category.
In the category of strings, two participants were recommended for the provincials out of 12 individual performers and one orchestra. Jiliana Schmidt was recommended for the category of Violin and Piano Sonata, Senior Open and Andrew Mahmood was recommended for the category of violin solo, recital piece, 16 and under. Andrew also won the promising performer for intermediate/senior strings award of $50. Jillana won three other awards: the promising performer strings (Bach classes) award, the outstanding performer award (both for $50), and the most promising performer in piano or violin award, for $200.
In the band instrument awards, two performers were recommended for the provincials out of a total of 36 participants. The event also saw a total of 22 duets, trios, quartets and bands, totalling 254 individuals. Bethany McQuaid, who won the Outstanding Instrumental Solo award for $100, was nominated for provincials in the brass category and Cole Knutson, who won the promising performer (intermediate) award for $100 was nominated in the woodwind category. The NBCHS Jazz Ensemble won the $200 award for a "promising ensemble made up of any combination of three or more wind, string, percussion or keyboard instruments."
In the piano category, a total of 53 pianists took part in a total of 150 performances. Out of these, Cole Knutson was recommended to provincials for the intermediate Beethoven category, Katrina McKinnon was recommended for two categories (intermediate Chopin and intermediate 20th century Canadian) and David Patterson was recommended for the senior French music category. Cole Knutson, who was also nominated in the woodwinds category, also won five other awards: promising performer intermediate/senior piano Beethoven classes, intermediate/senior piano (an award that was shared with Larissa Chipak), promising performer intermediate/senior piano, Bach intermediate classes and promising piano performer. Katrina McKinnon also won four awards for promising performer, 20th century music or Canadian music, sonata/sonatina intermediate classes and promising performer intermediate piano sonata/sonatina classes (both of which had her tied with her sister Khrystia) and for promising performer in intermediate/senior piano, Chopin classes. David Patterson won the largest award in the piano category, for a promising piano performer. The award is worth $1,000.
In the vocal category, a large number of participants were nominated to the provincial festival. A total of 25 performers made a total of 164 performances (some of which were more than one song) and a total of 33 duets, ensembles and choirs performed.
Earning nominations to the provincials were the Kamala Youth Choir, the Gallery Singers, Katrina MacKinnon, Jean van der Merwe, Michelle Hanna, Larissa Chipak, David Patterson and Kaylene McQuaid.
The Kamala Youth Choir won the $100 award for best use of harmony for two or more voices, 18 and under. Katrina MacKinnon, who had already picked up piano awards also tied Annika Lessing for the promising performer award. Jean van der Merwe received three awards: promising individual speech arts/vocal performer, French language, highest mark in intermediate vocal test piece classes (both for $50), and promising performer, intermediate/senior vocal (for $150).
Despite only being nominated for provincials in the vocal category, Larissa Chipak also received piano awards, for promising performer, intermediate/senior piano (for $250), for a duo with Cole Knutson, and for promising performer intermediate/senior piano. Michelle Hanna, who was nominated with Larissa Chipak to provincials for a duet, also received a $200 award for a promising intermediate/senior vocalist. Kaylene McQuaid was give the award for outstanding vocal entry in the festival.
Finally, David Patterson, who was nominated for the provincials in the vocal, spoken and piano received awards for a promising senior male vocal performer, promising performer in Canadian vocal solo, and promising performer, intermediate/senior vocal.
