The Rotary Club welcomed our guests today from the Charitable Society that runs the annual Music Festival. Our guest speaker was Delynne Lorentzen, who is the Executive Director of the Rotary Music Festival. She was introduced by Don Davis, Chairman of the Festival. Don also welcomed the President of the Rotary Music Festival Society, Cathie Catalano. The charitable society has operated the Music Festival for the past few years and is transitioning to a public society to allow parents, teachers and those interested in youth and music to participate in running the event.
Delynne spoke about the value of the Festival, which has been running for 68 years. The Medicine Hat Rotary Festival is the longest continuous running music festival in the province, Delynne spoke about the long term benefits of the festival experience on all the youth that perform, they gain confidence, discipline and creativity in performing in public and that carrys into their adult lives. Sometimes you don't know exactly what the impact will be, but many local adults speak very fondly of their time in the Rotary Music Festival.
"There is nothing that builds into the foundation of a local community more than investing in its young people. When you think about your community and ways to make it better, some people look at infrastructure or amenities but I think that foundation is the children". Delynne also spoke about seeing the progress and maturing of local music students, some who go on to do great things, not always in music. But music training is quite literally one of the top predictors of general success in life.
Delynne also spoke about some of the very accomplished students who have grown out of our Festival into the professional music business, and how we are known as a community that seems to generate a very high level of performer. As a club we should be very proud of the impact and lasting benefits of the Festival on youth.
Our current leadership of the Rotary Music Festival Society, Cathie Catalano - President of the Society, Delynne Lorentzen - Executive Director of the Festival, Anne Carrier - Past ED of the Festival and Don Davis - Chairman of the Festival. Thanks to all of you for your hard work.