Music Festival Update
Brenda Bauman, President of the Rotary Music Festival Society provided the Club with a brief overview of the music festival. Brenda advised that planning for this years festival is underway. Last year, there were 1412 participants in the various disciplines of piano, strings, voice, choirs, speech arts, guitar, bands and instrumentals. Last year, $20,000 in awards were handout to participants.
Brenda advised festival is always looking for new or innovative ways to conduct events. Last year the Band Festival was moved back to the schools wit the adjudicators moving from school to school rather than the bands traveling. The band teacher like this arrangement and find it better for the students. Brenda also advised that in guitar, they opened up more classes with less classical music to encourage more participation. In fact, one school has 25 guitars and their class participated in the festival helping to increase the numbers in guitar. Similarly, as part of Dr. Roy Wilson's estate, money was donated to RiverHeights School to purchase 25 mini violins. It is hoped that these students will take part of the festival in years to come.
As you can image, it takes a lot of work to host this festival. Brenda reported 55 ladies run the various venture during the two week period. In addition, about 40 members of the Club and friends of Rotary help man the venue doors and information desk.
Brenda reported that participants in our festival who went on to the Provincial and National festivals did well.
This year's music festival runs from March 5th to 19th with the Rose Bowl competition on Friday March 17th and the Stars of the Festival evening on March 19th.
In closing, Brenda thanked the Rotary Club for its continued support through fund raising efforts and volunteering at the festival.