UNITY – Spectators and music lovers were treated once again to the musical performances of many local youth during the 98th annual Unity Music Festival.
During the week of April 15 to 18, adjudicators Chelsea Mahan and Lynette Sawatsky watched, listened and scored each performance. They would then speak to the students, giving them advice on ways to improve the sound or make it easier to perform.
The top students performed April 21 to a large crowd of family, friends and music lovers. Following the performances, this year’s scholarships and awards were handed out and recommendations to the provincial competition were made.
The Unity Music Festival would not be able to continue without the help of its 35 patrons and 29 various organizations and businesses. Along with the volunteer committee, these sponsors “generously provide assistance to us to encourage our young musicians and help make our local festival a success,” as explained by president Morag Riddell.
2024 scholarships and awards
Ppiano: The Tim and Nadine Keller Family Scholarship $50 - Keanna Kelly; Joyce T. Smith Memorial $50 - Lyla Reiche; Myrtle Cleall Memorial Cup and Keeper and Scholarship (donated by Compass Minerals-Sifto Salt) $100 + Award - Beckham Grant; Audrey and Tony Fischer Memorial $50 - Sage Aldred; Audrey and Tony Fischer Memorial $50 - Brynn Delhommeau; Wilma DeBelser Memorial $100 - Karlin Vold; ; Katherine Schell Memorial $50- Parker Mackay; Katherine Schell Memorial $50- Owen Neufeld; Katherine Schell Memorial $50- Charley Reiche; Duet - Barbara Surine Memorial $100 - Keanna Kelly and Brynn Delhommeau; Recital Class - Cut Knife Royal Purple $50 - Annie Ajayi; Canadian/Saskatchewan Class - Dr. Mervyn Ashing Memorial $50 and Award - Annie Ajayi; Pop Song - Bricin Financial Services $50 - Molly Orobko; Bach/Baroque - Delta Co-op Association Award and Veritas Designs and Inspections Inc. $50 - Lyla Reiche; Sonata/Sonatina - Delta Co-op Association Award and Veritas Designs and Inspections Inc. $50 - Annie Ajayi; Dr. Fred and Evelyn Weeks Trophy and Keeper Award - Alex Melnyk.
Band: Unity Elks Lodge $100 - Sadie Risling (Saxophone); Unity Arts Council $50 - Steyn Hoogstad (Violin).
Vocal: Unity United Church Choir $50 - Adelia Vermeulen; Veritas Designs and Inspections Inc. $50 - Mayla Williams; Unity Lutheran Church $100 - Mateo Rutley; Unity Knights of Columbus $150 - Erin Squires; Folk Song/Ballad - Award and $50 Unity Lions Club- Avyne McLean, Recital Class $50 Unity Baptist Church - Briar Wells.
Musical Theatre: Cut Knife CWL $50 - Ripley Wells; Barry and Chris DeRoo Davisson $75 - Marishka Mauthe; Unity Baptist Church $ 75 - Avyne McLean; Gilbert Agencies – to a vocal student exhibiting a love of Musical Theatre, any age $100 - Mayla Williams.
Speech Arts: Unity Lions Club $75 - Clara Reiche; Unity Elks Lodge $100 - Willem Hoogstad; Unity Royal Canadian Legion $100 - Steyn Hoogstad; Unity Music Festival Association
Most Outstanding Piano Performer of Festival Trophy and Keeper and Verna Veikle Memorial Scholarship $200 - Molly Orobko; Jimmie and Ethel Anderson Memorial Most Outstanding Vocal/Musical Theatre Performer Of Festival and Unity St, Peter's CWL Scholarship $200 - Avyne Mclean.
Recommendations to Provincial Competition:
Mayla Williams - Musical Theatre Solo Up-Tempo Contemporary (14 years and under), Musical Theatre Solo, Ballad, Contemporary (14 years and under), Folk Song/Ballad (14 years and under) and Vocal Solo, Recital (14 years and under);
Avyne McLean - Musical Theatre Solo Ballad Contemporary (17 years and under), Musical Theatre Solo Up-tempo Contemporary (17 years and under), Vocal Solo, Recital (17 years and Under), and Folk Song/Ballad (17 years and under);
Mateo Rutley - Musical Theatre Solo, Up-tempo, Modern (17 years and under) and Vocal Solo, Recital (17 years and under);
Marishka Mauthe - Musical Theatre Solo, Ballad, Contemporary (17 years and under);
Erin Squires - Musical Theatre, Up-tempo, Classic (17 years and under);
Molly Orobko - Piano Solo Chopin (17 years and under), Piano Solo Recital (17 years and under) and Piano Solo 20th or 21st Century (17 years and under);
Willem Hoogstad - Spoken Word, Solo Poetry (17 years and under), Spoken Word, Solo Concert Group (17 years and under) and Canada West Speech Arts and Drama (17 years and under);
Steyn Hoogstad - Spoken Word, Solo Concert Group (28 years and under) and Canada West Speech Arts and Drama (22 years and under);
Clara Reiche - Spoken Word, Solo Poetry (12 years and under) and Spoken Word, Solo Prose (12 years and under)
