Performing Arts Festival goes virtual

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Performing Arts Festival will be held virtually this year, but the talent will be as impressive as ever.

This year’s performances will be submitted as videos because of the COVID-19 pandemic, explained Carolyn Steeves, Strathmore Performing Arts Festival president.

“The quality of the recording is key. Some of the teachers are recording students in their studios, so it’s more of a level playing field,” she said. “It’s not the same (as a live performance) obviously, but I started recording yesterday, and the students are excited.”

The 2021 Strathmore Performing Arts Festival is being held via Zoom from March 19 to 27. Each day focuses on a different genre (with piano held over three days), where participants will hear their recording along with those of their peers. Participants will also hear comments from adjudicators and will later receive a detailed assessment.

So far, there are 258 entries across genres, including Musical Theatre, Classical Voice, Contemporary Voice, Instrumental, Composition and Piano. There are no Band, Choir or Classroom Music classes in the festival this year.

Winners have the chance to compete at the 2021 Alberta Music Festival Association’s 2021 Provincial Festival, also to be held virtually.

Once the competition is over, the videos will be shared online.

The festival’s online program at www.strathmorepaf.com features 2021 Sponsors, a 2021 Virtual Festival Schedule, a list of 2021 Scholarships and information on the provincial festival.

Adjudicators will recommend some of the participants to perform in a 2021 Virtual Showcase Concern, as well as the provincial festival. Students entering these events will record their performances by April 17.

A total of $5,656 in scholarships will be presented in the Virtual Showcase Concert, to be released on May 1.