Now that final programming is well underway for the 2016 Battlefords area Music Festival, dates for the various music disciplines can move from being tentative to firm.
The vocal sessions, being held in Logie Hall at Third Avenue United Church, are now adjusted to April 17 – 18 with April 20 for speech arts. In response to the higher than usual band entries this year, the band dates have been expanded to April 19 – 21. Band sessions will be held at the Kinsmen Band Hall and North Battleford Comprehensive High School. The musical theatre date of April 19, the piano dates of April 21 – 23 and the strings date of April 22 remain as previously scheduled. Musical theatre and piano performances will be held in Logie Hall with strings in Third Avenue United Church’s sanctuary.
Community members, organizations, businesses and service clubs have traditionally been generous sponsoring awards for participants of the festival and this year is no exception. Awards this year are being given in the two categories of junior and senior with junior being defined as 12 years of age and under and senior as 13 years of age and over.
In the first scheduled category of voice, adjudicator Dianna Woolrich will have the challenging task of assigning the numerous awards in that discipline. In the area of promising performers, there is a general award of $100, awards of $100 and $150 for juniors, $100 and $500 for seniors, two awards of $150 for promising male vocalists, $100 for a promising performer of Canadian music, $100 for a sacred music solo and an award of $100 for a promising 16 years and older vocalist. As well awards for $100 each are being given in the categories of outstanding performances for folk song or ballad and Canadian music vocal solo. Ensembles cannot be overlooked, of course, with $50 and $100 awards being given to a promising school chorus and $100 for best use of harmony by two or more voices 18 years of age and under.
Adjudicator Julia Jamison has two categories for determining recognition, musical theatre and speech arts. There are three $100 awards for promising musical theatre performances and a $100 award for a promising duet or ensemble. Speech arts has two $50 awards for promising solo and group in French language, two $100 awards for promising performers, a $100 award for sacred reading and $150 for outstanding choral speech.
Band adjudicator Brian Unverricht will determine winners for a $100 promising junior solo, $200 for an outstanding band solo, $100 for a promising school ensemble and $200 for an outstanding band or instrumental ensemble.
In the discipline of strings, adjudicator Catherine Cosbey will award two promising performers awards of $50 each, two awards of $100 each and one award of $300.
The piano category has a long history of significant support. Piano adjudicator Peggy L’Hoir will have the daunting responsibility of assigning these awards: $100 for promising sonata/sonatina junior, $100 for promising sonata/sonatina ages 13 - 16, $100 for junior promising Canadian selection, $100 each for a promising junior boy and girl pianist, $200 each for a junior and senior promising performance, $100 for promising senior in 20th or 21st century or Canadian music, $100 for promising Chopin performance, $100 each for a junior and senior duet and several other general awards ranging up to the top award of $1,000.
The Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival Committee and the Battlefords Registered Music Teachers Association also sponsor various awards, all outlined in the festival’s published program along with names of the individuals and organizations sponsoring specific awards. There are numerous additional general awards for promising and outstanding awards that can be assigned to participants from any discipline as well some very specific awards such as for the Last Post or trumpet solo of $100, performing the Music of Edvard Grieg $100, highest mark in the national anthem classes $100 and a family music award of $100.
To be eligible for scholarships and awards, participants must be 19 years or under and have lived in the Battlefords and district for a minimum of six months prior to the festival, or be furthering their education elsewhere but still being supported by parents living in the Battlefords district. The festival committee salutes and thanks all organizations, businesses, service clubs, individuals and memory honourings for their incredible support of local music education through these generous awards.
Also keep in mind that the festival is still in need of volunteers, especially door greeters and adjudicator secretaries. If you are interested, please don’t hesitate to contact volunteer co-ordinator Kelly Day at gkday@sasktel.net, by cell 306-441-0992 or in the evenings at 306-937-3322. Kelly will be happy to discuss job descriptions and available opportunities to enjoy the festival while supporting smooth sailing of the event.
“I believe musicians have a duty, a responsibility to reach out, to share your love or pain with others.” — James Taylor
