The 2015 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival winds up its first week with the band entries scheduled Thursday and Friday. The final Friday morning session for band is in Logie Hall at Third United Church with strings scheduled that same day in the church鈥檚 sanctuary for the morning and Logie Hall in the afternoon.
If you missed those sessions, the festival continues with an afternoon and evening of musical theatre Sunday in Logie Hall. Kathleen Abrahamson opens the afternoon session with Maybe from the musical Annie. These classes feature ballads and up-tempo excerpts from contemporary well-known productions such as Beauty and the Beast, time-tested classics such as Oliver or Anne of Green Gables, lesser known contemporary creations such as Once Upon a Mattress and well-known current favourites such as Frozen. Be sure not to miss the always spectacular Dance Connection large ensemble performance closing the musical theatre session in the evening.
The voice and choral sessions begin Monday, March 24 and run through Wednesday, March 25. All sessions except the ensemble and choral performances are being held in Logie Hall. The ensemble performances are scheduled in the sanctuary.聽 The Monday morning session features recital pieces or selections of the performer鈥檚 own choice along with classical or Baroque arias and lieder. Folk and art songs will be presented Tuesday. More advanced senior students featured in the evening will share preparations of opera selections. Wednesday afternoon opens with the John Paul II youth chorus followed by with a variety of performances schedule for the remainder of the afternoon. Senior students are again featured during the final evening.
Speech Arts closes the festival over two days, Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27. This discipline opens with choral speech entries at Bready School continuing in the afternoon and evening in Logie Hall with solo entries. At St. Vital School on the Friday morning there is more choral speech followed in the afternoon by small ensemble performances.
Look for the summary of festival sessions posted around town.
All sessions are open to the public. Donations towards festival expenses are gratefully accepted at the door of venues. When coming out to support young musicians from our community, please keep good performance manners and etiquette in mind. While enjoying the extensive talent being nurtured in the Battlefords area, remember performers have one opportunity to showcase their work. Ensure you are not responsible for distractions such as ringing or vibrating cell phones, whispering amid a performance or entering or leaving the room during a performance. Any distraction during a performance or while the adjudicator is speaking must be avoided. This includes texting and perfumed scents.
Please respect the provincial rules regarding photography and videotaping 鈥� no photography or video recordings are allowed during performances, adjudications, or certificate presentations. Finally, be sure to congratulate all performers for their accomplishments and successes!
If you are a teacher or participant make sure you鈥檙e abiding by festival entry rules and regulations. It is important to not use any photocopied music since that is illegal. Any music being viewed by the adjudicator or used in the performance must be an original copy. The music handed in to the adjudicator must have the first bar of each line numbered. Music must be handed in to the session鈥檚 secretary prior to the start of each session. It is prohibited to practice in venue performance areas during the festival dates except in designated rehearsal or warm-up areas. The attire and behaviour of performers should reflect a manner respectful of the festival. Unless your musical theatre characters demands otherwise, it is appropriate to avoid jeans and t-shirts. Err on the side of modesty if uncertain. And please arrive on time so sessions start promptly.聽
Be sure to check out the cover of this year鈥檚 program featuring the joyful music-themed artwork of Samantha Federico in Grade 5 from EMBM. Pick up a program at Sobeys or at festival venues for $7 and enjoy all the wonderful musical renditions submitted by these local budding artists.
The Gala will be at the Dekker Centre Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. Admission will be $10 a seat for adults with free admission for performers, award recipients, award donors and youth 18 and under.聽
鈥淚f I cannot fly, let me sing.鈥� 鈥� Stephen Sondheim
