Young singers and choristers bring home provincial awards

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

Several youths from Strathmore brought home awards from the Alberta Provincial Music Festival, held May 26 to June 1 in Edmonton.
Musicians, singers and choirs from Strathmore participated in the festival.
According to Loralee Laycock, director of the Strathmore Children’s Choir, to qualify for provincials, students are recommended by the adjudicators who see them perform at their local festivals.
“These students all competed in the Drumheller and District Festival in March, and were recommended from that festival,” she said. “They also all competed in the Strathmore Performing Arts Festival, but as this was our inaugural year, we were unable to recommend competitors to provincials. Hopefully some of them will be able to attend provincials from the Strathmore festival starting next year.”
At the provincials, Parker Riou (12) placed first in Musical Theatre Ballad 12 and under; Rayanne Laycock (17) placed second in Alberta Excellence Musical Theatre; Shelby Laycock (16) placed second in Musical Theatre Up-Tempo 16 and under; and the Strathmore Children’s Choir – Finale placed second in Community Choral 19 and under.
“It’s always exciting when local performers place at the provincial level, as most of the classes include 28 to 30 competitors from all over the province,” noted Laycock.
Other youth from Strathmore who participated included Susanne Sevcik (16), Musical Theatre Ballad 16 and under, and Girls Vocal Solo 16 and under; Janet Ying (15), Piano Solo 16 years and under; Julian Wiley (13), Grade 7-8 Piano Solo; and Elizabeth Muller (11), 12 and under Piano Solo; and the Strathmore Children’s Choir – Encore, Community Choral 14 and under.
Ying, Wiley and Muller are students of local music teacher Carolyn Steeves, who said her three piano students all did very well this year, despite not placing first or second in the competition.
“This was Janet’s third time performing at the provincial festival; she placed second in 2016 in Piano 12 and under,” said Steeves. “Although Janet didn’t place first or second in her class of 16 Albertan pianists, she is being featured in the third season of Arts on 817 in their Strathmore’s Emerging Artists concert on May 2, 2020. She will be joined by Rayanne Laycock and Suzanne Sevcik, two more of Strathmore’s provincial festival competitors.”
Steeves added this was Wiley’s second time at provincials and Muller’s first provincial music festival experience. “Athough (Muller) didn’t place in her class with 14 Albertan pianists, she was very motivated by the experience and hopes to compete in the same class again next year.”
Laycock said it is important for children and youth to be involved in music studies and competitions. “Music studies are important for children because they can express themselves creatively and connect to a part of themselves that they may not find in another way,” she said. “In my studio and with my choirs, I try to approach competition as an opportunity to contribute to their creative process. Instead of focusing on the end-goal, we talk a lot about the process. What did we learn from the experience? Are we better performers because we have allowed ourselves to receive feedback? I hope the answer is always yes.
“So, while provincial nominations and placements are an amazing bonus, I always hope the goal is to grow creatively and feel positive about the experience,” added Laycock. “As a teacher, I learn so much from attending festivals and hearing suggestions from professionals in their field. I hope the kids also learn and implement those suggestions as a result of attending the festival.”
Laycock said the students will take a break for the summer, although many of the competitors can be seen performing around Strathmore and Calgary in the coming months. For instance, Parker Riou is singing the national anthem at an upcoming event, and Rayanne Laycock will be competing in the Calgary Stampede Talent Search in July.
“They stay busy and are always excited to get going again in September.”
The Strathmore Children’s Choir just finished its 11th year and is currently taking registrations for the 2019-20 season. Visit strathmorechildrenschoir.com for more information.
Meanwhile, the Strathmore Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) passed a resolution on June 9 to seek membership in the Alberta Music Festival Association after holding a successful inaugural festival this spring. They will make a presentation at the Alberta Music Festival Association annual general meeting in Edmonton on Oct. 26. Steeves said it is SPAF’s hope that Strathmore’s nominated musicians will be representing the SPAF next year.