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Battlefords best classical musicians play the Dekker Centre

Apr 2, 2017 | 4:00 PM

The Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival Gala Concert and Awards Presentation is coming again to the Dekker Centre.

The April 12 event will feature musicians as young as one year old, all the way up to 28 years old, performing in the classical genre.

According to Karen Ulmer, committee member for the festival, the festival is a good chance for students to learn good morals and develop strong work ethics when it comes to their music, especially for the younger players.

“For those of us who grew up in the music festival system it’s a great way to teach children goal-setting, the value of practice and the value of working with others,” Ulmer said.

Nearly fifty other festivals of the same type are happening around the Saskatchewan, and students from these events will have the chance to move on to the provincial competition, and possibly nationals.

Only around 20 acts will be performing at the Dekker Centre at the gala but many more musicians are involved with the festival itself, which happened around the Battlefords from April 2 to 8 in mostly private settings. Ulmer said that only the best of the musicians will be performing at the gala.

“[There’s] everything from adorable youngsters playing short little piano pieces to people just impressing you with their technical ability. It’s really a fine concert,” she said. “There’s usually a variety of stuff that we hear there, but the best of the best.”

After the performances, the awards will be handed out, scholarships may be received and those moving on to the provincial competition will receive the annoucement.

Tickets for the gala are available through the Dekker Centre.

 

katherine.svenkeson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ksvenkeson