First annual SPAF to empower young musicians

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

Strathmore Performing Arts Festival, set to open its inaugural festival March 29, will influence more than 600 children and youth from Strathmore and area.
“We have over 210 entries, and there are bands and choirs and musical theatre groups involved in those entries,” said Carolyn Steeves, Strathmore Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) president. “Probably a lowball number would be impacting at least 600 children. We’re very excited about that.”
The festival is accomplishing its goal of empowering and encouraging young musicians, according to Steeves.
“Our whole mandate was to make the festival non-competitive, to give children a venue to sing or play or (perform their talent), receive feedback, give them a nice place to perform,” Steeves said.
“It’s part of the process of becoming a musician, getting out and performing and getting feedback and growing. They (SPAF board members) realize how important that is, and how important winning a scholarship is, how encouraging that is if you do get asked to sing in a final concert. These are all very empowering stages.”
Because of the unexpected number of responses, SPAF has expanded the schedule for two musical genres. Musical theatre classes will be held both March 29 and 30, at Strathmore High School (SHS). Piano entries will be performed on the morning, afternoon and evening of April 4, plus the morning of April 5, at Strathmore United Church (SUC).
Other classes will be held as originally scheduled. Concert bands will perform April 1 at SHS. Voice classes will be held April 2 at SUC. Choirs will perform April 3 at École Brentwood Elementary School. Instrumental performances will take place at SUC, April 5. The final concert is still scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 9 at Strathmore Alliance Church.
SPAF also had a very positive response to its sponsorship campaign. Donors contributed over $15,000. That includes more than $4,000 in scholarships to be given out at the final concert.
“There will be a large percentage of the performers in the festival that will receive scholarship money,” said Steeves.
Adjudicators, with input from two impartial board members, will choose which students perform at the final concert and receive scholarships.
Steeves invites community members to attend the festival classes.
“We’re hoping the community will embrace it, that they’ll come and support the young performers and cheer them on,” she said. “They’ll have somebody to perform for, other than their parents and their teachers, and encourage them in reaching their dreams.”
A festival day pass is $5. A pass for the entire festival, with freedom to come and go, is $15. The final concert is $5 per person, or $10 for a family.
To see the full event schedule, go to strathmorepaf.weebly.com.