The St. Albert Rotary Music Festival competition and adjudication wrapped up last night giving youth artists an opportunity to shine with the best.
Organizers are calling the 750 performances by more than 2,000 artists a resounding success. And now there is only one event left to complete the 39th season.
The windup Encore! ceremonies, an awards and scholarship presentation mixed with a performance showcase, takes place on Wednesday, April 20 at the Arden Theatre.
The festival is giving out a total of $12,500 in scholarship money.
The largest monetary purse is the $1,000 Lyle Moore Scholarship. This year’s recipient is Westlock pianist Katianne Bargen. A serious musician, she is also a contender in the Canadian Music Competition.
Two other aspirants polished their pipes in a bid for the coveted scholarship – St. Albert musical theatre leading lady Grace Bokenfohr and Stettler opera singer Dacia Gramlick.
“It was a very tough decision and it was very close,” said festival coordinator Maryan Threndyl.
However, during the 25-minute competition, Bargen outdid her competition performing three Gershwin Preludes, Brahms Ballade and Rachmaninoff’s Etudes Tableau.
“There were so many layers to her performance. She brought out the best of the piano and in her music.”
The festivals distinguished Rose Bowl winner, the Marsha Stanton Award winner, the Elsie and Bill Filipchuk Bursary for Musical Theatre and the Patricia Burgess Prizes will be revealed at Encore!
Encore! also features some of festivals finest performers witnessed throughout the festival.
“They’re selected by the adjudicators and we try to represent every aspect of the festival – choirs, bands, piano, strings, musical theatre, voice and dance,” Threndyl said.
About 15 dynamic and accomplished performers including tap dancer Janae Olsen, classical guitarist Evan Ball, violinist Sofie Lydiatt and spoken word artist Michelle Grobbelaar strut their stuff.
Threndyl believes the festival is more than a performance contest. It sets an attainable bar and elevates performance.
“It gives them encouragement in performance but also gives them life skills by being critiqued by professionals in their area.”
As for Encore!, she commented that the wide range of talent makes it difficult to select youth artists to perform.
“I’ve been to all the venues this week and heard a great number of performances. It’s been really amazing and anyone that comes to Encore! will be impressed by the talent and diversity.”
Preview
Encore!<br />St. Albert Rotary Music Festival<br />April 20 at 6:30 p.m.<br />Arden Theatre<br />5 St. Anne Street<br />Tickets: $15. Available at the door or in advance a 780-459-1542 or ticketmaster.ca
