Drumheller Music Festival brings out the best

Manny Everett

Times Contributor

 

The 73 Annual Drumheller and District Music Festival took place over a stretch of 10 days in Drumheller and brought out the “cream of the crop” in music, drama, and speech.

Venues all across Drumheller were filled with different events during the festival. Parents, grandparents and those lovers of the arts witnessed up and coming young talent in the community and area perform. A variety of music genres could be heard at the festival.

The Drumheller and District Music Festival held their Final Concert on Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Badlands Community Facility in Drumheller. 

The following are some of the local talent that came out of the Strathmore area that competed in their particular groups: 

Brentwood School received three awards. The Junior Choir was awarded the T.E. Keele Trophy for highest mark in School Choruses, Grade 2-3 and the Senior Choir was awarded the G. Fred Anderson Memorial Plaque for highest mark in School Choruses, Grade 4-6. The Senior Choir was also awarded the W.R. Dean Memorial Plaque and McDonald’s Restaurant Scholarship for the highest mark awarded any school chorus group Grades 1-12. Students Jennifer and Reanna Thiessen accepted the awards on behalf of their school.

Rachel Neil was awarded the T. M. McGrath Shield for the highest mark in Senior Piano solos, 17 years and over. 

Susanne Sevick won three piano awards at the Final Concert. She was awarded a Class Award for highest mark in Piano Solo Plan II, Grade 4/5. She was also awarded a Grand Award. The Nicolas and Pearl Ferby Memorial Award of Excellence is awarded by the adjudicator for excellence in Piano. In addition, Susanne was nominated to participate in the Alberta Music Festival Association’s 2013 Provincial Festival in Edmonton May 29  – June 1. Susanne will be competing for top honours in a piano class for students at the grade 5/6 level from across Alberta.

Sarah Dronyk, Piano – Elmer and Betty Currie Memorial Plaque for highest mark in Contemporary Composers.

Conor Anderson, Vocal – Beta Sigma Phi Preceptor Lambda Chapter Plaque for highest mark 11-15 years in musical theatre solos

Shelby Laycock, Vocal – Amy Thompson Trophy for highest mark 10 years and under in Musical theatre solos

Rayanne Laycock, Vocal – Class Award for highest mark in vocal solo 12 and under

Showstoppers (Kortnee, Brooke, Brittyn and Khloe Paiha, Rayanne and Shelby Laycock, Kianna and Alysse Doig, Makenzie Zaugg & Avery Johnson) – John and Lavinia Edwards Memorial Scholarship for highest mark in musical theatre production number

Provincial nominations were given to Shelby Laycock for musical theatre solo 12 & under with Conor Anderson as alternate, and Rayanne Laycock for girls vocal solo 12 & under.

The Adjudicators have a hard job judging the amazing talent and did a fine job in encouraging students to keep up the good work. Adjudicators were as follows : Heather Bedford-Clooney (Musical Theatre and Voice), Dr. Evelyn Grieger (Choral), Kerri Neitsch (Dance), Juleta Severson-Baker (Speech), Laurelie Nattress (Band), and finally Linda Steinbring (Piano).

Terry Yemen, Mayor of the Town of Drumheller, states that “This event is a valuable asset to our community and we welcome each and every participant and spectator with great enthusiasm. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of individuals who are committed to encouraging their students to raise the bar in their accomplishments”.