On March 15, the Town of Spiritwood was host to a two-day Saskatchewan Music Festival Association event. From 9 a.m. onward, the civic hall filled with eager young musicians ready to showcase their talents.
Adjudicator Lynn Ewing, a musician with an impressive resume, boasting much experience and numerous academic achievements, guided and judged a diverse set of students and class groups on various artforms.
Class groups performed choral speech, and music clubs performed their numbers. In addition to this, individual performances were adjudicated from song to piano.
Medstead had its chance to shine, with the Medstead Central School Glee Club winning first place in the choral group category for Pizza and Bop Shu Wap. This performance was musically and choreographically well done by all participants. The group is led by Cheryl Janzen, and the piano performed by Marjorey Klassen.
In addition, the Medstead Grade 1/2 class won first in its category for its performance of Strange Restaurant and When Daddy Sat on the Tomatoes. This was co-ordinated by Stacey Hill and incorporated props and enthusiasm.
Individual winners included Brayden Moore, Grace Driedger, Ryann Short and Sarah Bargen. All of these performers and groups from Medstead excelled with their piano skills and won awards and scholarships averaging at $50.
Numerous schools partook, including Glaslyn, Leoville, Hartley Clark School and Medstead Central. $1,700 dollars of scholarships were given at the awards ceremony where winners performed their pieces and proud youth had their dedication and hard work rewarded.
The Spiritwood and District 27th Annual Music Festival was put on in accordance with the SMFA protocol and coordinated by a group of locals including Barb Szasz, president, secretary Heather Gatzke, treasurer Kathleen Gatzke, and members including Carolyn Voss, Marjorie Klassen, and Margery Toman.
Events, contributions and hard work of the dedicated individuals, organizers, performers, parents, and instructors alike make it such that the youth of rural areas such as Medstead have musical and artistic opportunities and role models.
