Pictured L-R: Marielle Bala (Battlefords Registered Music Teachers Scholarship, Promising Canadian Vocal Solo; Milbanke Flowers – Urban Accents Rose Bowl Award, Outstanding Entry in Folk Song Classes; Battlefords Ministerial Association, Promising Performer in Sacred Reading or Sacred Solo; Dance Connection Scholarship, Promising Performers in Musical Theatre, Duets/Ensembles or Solo). Andre LaCock (Bee-J’s Office Plus Plaque and Scholarship, Promising Instrumental Solo, Junior). Clara Higgs (River Valley Eye Care Scholarship, Promising Performer Junior Piano; Greenwood Scholarship and Harach Chopin Trophy {BKMFC}, Promising Performer, Chopin; Battlefords Kiwanis Music Fest Committee Keepsake Award, Jr. Baroque Classes). (Submitted photos/Dianne Gryba)

By Martin Martinson

Celebrating music

Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival showcases local talent in community

Apr 30, 2021 | 5:00 PM

With over 200 performance entries and over $8,300 in scholarships awarded, the 2021 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival was a big success in the community this year.

Featuring live performances throughout the week from April 19-28, this year’s event was available for viewing virtually, livestreamed entirely on the Dekker Centre website with no in-house attendance.

President of the Battlefords festival, Dianne Gryba said it was great just to be able to hold the event again this year, after last year’s festival was cancelled altogether due to the pandemic.

“We were just so happy to be able to provide the opportunity for the students here, because they’ve kept working hard and there hasn’t been much opportunity for them to perform,” she said. “The event was really enjoyable; the kids got a chance to share all their hard work, and our committee was just delighted that so many did decide to enter.”

From violin and trumpet, to piano and voice, there were a number of musical talents on display at this year’s local Kiwanis Music Festival. (Submitted photo/Dianne Gryba)

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Among other tweaks to the regular setup, the stage also featured eight-by-eight-foot plastic barriers for the singers, wind players and speech arts performers to stand behind; and all group or duet performances from outside a shared household were pre-recorded and submitted ahead of time to be played.

Gryba said the virtual format will be something they hope to continue to offer in years to come, even once audience members are allowed to return to the seats in the future.

“The live stream had a certain advantage because people from far away could listen to it, so there were some new audience members and some relatives of children that may not have been able to hear them perform in previous years,” she said.

All scholarships, certificates and checks were sorted into folders along with each person’s adjudication sheets, and presented to them following their performance in the gala. Additional trophies were also given to the winners at that time, which were rolled out on a cart for presentation.

Gryba said they are grateful for the continued support of the community and the many local-area businesses and sponsors who donate to their cause and made awarding the scholarships possible.

“It really can help students with their training. They can use it for lessons and it’s really nice to be able to help them out that way thanks to the community,” she said. “We’re thankful for all those who helped make the event possible again this year.”

Video of 22 of the week’s top performances, as selected by the adjudicators, will be featured on the virtual gala show Saturday, May 1 on the Dekker Centre website. A full list of the selected performers is available on the Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival Facebook page.

See below for a full list of winners.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1