3 minute read
Wendy Brook 45th Annual Music Festival
Wendy Brook 45th Annual Music Festival
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
This year's theme was, ‘A Time for Hope and Peace’. President Larissa Bombak explained that there were 273 entries this year which included: vocal (singing, choir, musical theatre), piano, strings, instrumental (recorders, hand chimes), band, Speech Arts (choral, poetry, readings, Reader’s Theatre, skits), Ukrainian Language (vocal and speech), and French (speech).
“The Wendy Brook Music Festival Association is a non-profit charity. Our festival de-emphasizes competition in favour of providing a supportive venue for performers of all ages. Adjudicators provide constructive comments and advice. Participants may perform in groups, quartets, trios, duets, or solos.”
This festival commenced with piano performances where the most pleasant sounds were heard at St. John’s Lutheran Church on March 4 and 5.
Adjudicator Jan Janovsky stated that all the young musicians did an awesome job, and had great tempo. The helpful suggestions he gave were to take more time on stage before you leave and bring a portable keyboard when you go camping so they can play for their family and friends.
March 7 saw Instrument performances with Bob Bailey as the Adjudicator at Vegreville Alliance Church.
There were also vocal pieces at Vegreville United Church on March 7 with Jennifer O’Donnell as the Adjudicator.
O’Donnell mentioned that the young singers did a good job and they had beautiful voices. Their words were clear and they had lovely expressions when they sang. A constructive tip she gave was they should try to use more energy.
Solo vocal performances, vocal ensembles, and musical theatre followed this.
March 8 rang in with Speech Arts performances with Crystal Hanson as the Adjudicator at A.L. Horton School and St. Martin’s Catholic School.
Hanson commented that the choral speech groups’ pieces were lovely and they all spoke so well. “Everyone had lovely expressions on their faces and they used nice gestures.
The solo performers stood up so confidently.”
March 11 bloomed in with Ukrainian pieces at A.L. Horton School with Adjudicator Irena Tarnawsky who said the Ukrainian Choral Speech Ensembles did very well. “Your actions added to the storyline and I liked the group rhythm. For the solo and duets, the performers had good posture and pronunciation.”
For a helpful tip, Tarnawsky suggested that they try to sing a bit higher.
