Performing arts festival registration deadline looms

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

The first annual Strathmore Performing Arts Festival is drawing closer, and registration deadline for performers is Feb. 1.
The Strathmore Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) goes March 30 to April 9. Performers in various musical genres, including piano, voice, musical theatre, band, choir and other instruments will perform.
“Each class will be made up of the performers who choose to enter that class,” said Carolyn Steeves, president of the Strathmore Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) Association. “All the performers will perform and then they will all receive an adjudication giving them helpful tips on how to improve their performance next time and congratulating them on things they did well. The length of the class will be determined by the number of participants.”
The festival opens March 30 with musical theatre classes. Band classes will be held April 1, and voice classes April 2. Community and school choir classes perform April 3. Piano classes will be held April 4 and 5, and instrumental classes go April 5. Festival venues include Strathmore High School, Strathmore United Church and École Brentwood Elementary School.
“Many children take music lessons, sing in choirs and play in bands,” Steeves said. “The SPAF wants our students to be able to showcase their talents locally for family and friends.”
Select performers from various festival classes will be invited to perform at a final concert on April 9 at Strathmore Alliance Church. The SPAF Association plans to offer scholarships to outstanding festival participants at the final concert.
“Any money designated to scholarships will be given directly to the performers,” said Steeves. “Scholarships encourage and support students to continue developing their talents through additional training.”
The festival itself has already received generous donations, and the association welcomes additional sponsorship for this year and future festival years. Sponsors will be recognized in various ways, including social media exposure and a logo displayed at SPAF events.
Those who would like to provide sponsorships are invited to contact the SPAF Association at strathmorepaf@gmail.com. Sponsorship deadlines are March 1 for seed money and March 15 for scholarships.
Musicians who wish to participate in the festival can register at strathmorepaf.weebly.com. Registration deadline is Feb. 1.
“We are hoping the Strathmore Performing Arts Festival will become a week in April that the community, local music students and music lovers will look forward to, an opportunity to celebrate the talents of our youth.”
A Taste of the Festival will also be held at Strathmore Lions Club’s 80th Charter Night, Feb. 16, at the Strathmore Civic Centre. The 30-minute presentation will feature solo, duet and trio performances from local pianists and singers.