Over the next few weeks I have introduced five adjudicators for this year's Kiwanis Battlefords Music Festival- band adjudicator Greg McLean, strings adjudicator Rudolf Sternadel, musical theatre adjudicator Kevin Powers, vocal adjudicator Garry Gable and speech arts adjudicator Heather Macnab.
Lynette Sawatsky is the piano adjudicator for the festival. She was born in Langham and began her musical training at the age of four, being part of the first group of students at Yamaha Music Studios in Saskatoon. She completed ARCT (performer's) in piano during her Grade 12 year while studying with Walter Thiessen. She holds a Bachelor of Education (elementary) degree with great distinction, earning the president's medal for graduating with the highest average of any student at the University of Saskatchewan's 1992 fall convocation.
Sawatsky is involved in adult and children's music ministries through her church and has accompanied various vocal groups and instrumentalists over the years. She has taught both group and private lessons, worked as a music specialist in the Saskatoon Public System, and participated as a guest piano clinician and adjudicator throughout Saskatchewan.
Sawatsky currently directs a group of enthusiastic youngsters from core neighbourhoods during a lunch hour choir program in her community. In 2011, her composition, Springtime, was published in From Prairie to Pine, and she has since released two collections of piano pieces, Seasons Change (2011) and Crimson Maple (2012). Sawatsky has an active piano studio in Saskatoon where she resides with her husband and four children.
The festival opens with band entries Tuesday, March 25 at 9:30 a.m. at NBCHS for ensemble entries. Soloists will be featured that afternoon and evening in Logie Hall at Third Avenue United Church. Morning and afternoon performances Wednesday, March 26 will be at Battleford Central School. BCS's drum line will bring the band portion of the festival to a resounding conclusion. On Thursday, March 27, look for a lovely morning and afternoon of strings performances at Third Avenue United Church.
The music festival runs more easily when people work together with their time and talent. If you or someone you know might be willing to sacrifice a little time in order to ensure the continuation of this local tradition and musical celebration, this would be a great time to step forward. Jobs range from tiny tasks to more involved; we will find a job that fits your circumstances and availability. Festival specific jobs include duties such as being a secretary for the adjudicator, being a door greeter or simply helping with items such as decorating the venue or setting up chairs. Committee specific jobs can be something as simple as assisting with distribution and follow-up for letters seeking donations for scholarships and awards. Of course if you are interested in a larger-sized commitment such as secretary or vice-president, this is also welcome and needed.
The $7 printed festival program is available at Sobeys. Bring exact change if possible when purchasing programs as it keeps things simple and easy for the Sobeys staff.
Do note some adjustments to the schedule. The Gala date has been moved ahead from Friday to Wednesday. The adjusted schedule for music disciplines for the 2014 Battlefords Music festival is: band March 25 - 26, strings March 27, musical theatre March 28 and 29, voice March 30 - April 1, speech arts April 2 - 3, piano April 5 - 7, with the celebratory gala Wednesday, April 9.
"Piano playing is a dying art. I love the fact that I can be one guy with one instrument evoking an emotional and musical experience." - Jon Bon Jovi
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