The Humboldt Music Festival Association wrapped up two weeks of performances with their Festival Showcase on April 30 at Westminster United Church with a repeat of 20 of their best performances.
Festival President Patti Durand also distributed 52 awards throughout the evening with performers winning for band, piano, and vocal performances.
The festival started with piano performances from April 16-19 at Westminster United Church featuring the lovely jointly-owned Humboldt Music Festival/Arts Humboldt grand piano that recently was permanently installed in the church.
Band performances came next from April 23-24 with vocal performances wrapping up the competition April 25-27.
Durand was also quick to thank Kristin Farquharson and Karen Kolkman for their work coordinating the festival.
Where there is instruction, practice, and investment by students, teachers, and parents in music, skill follows and the festival is a reminder of that.
The students were prepared and ready to perform, said Durand, and they wanted to give that opportunity. Music heals, she says.
There is also a rush when you get to perform, says Durand, recalling her days as a music student, as well as recalling many times she has watched her own children up on stage.
“It’s a major piece of personal development that they will use for the rest of their life.”
Giving students the opportunity to balance music with academics and sports is a wonderful thing, says Durand.
However, the Humboldt Music Festival Association is always looking for more chances to do so.
This year had something missing from the festival with no string or guitar competitors in the festival and fewer vocal competitors.
Durand says this is because there is a significant lack of instructors in the area.
“We are challenged by fewer independent vocal teachers and very little choral instruction in schools. We are currently looking at different ways we can support young vocalists to develop their talents.”
2018 Humboldt Music Festival Award Recipients
Finnley Jackson Century 21 Diamond Realty ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Nathan Stock East Central Reg. Music Teachers Assoc. ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Jada Yaskow Arts Humboldt Inc. ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Aidra Angelstad Arts Humboldt Inc. ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Colin Stock East Central Reg. Music Teachers Assoc. ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Carson Yaskow Action Services ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under-Duet
Aidan Kozar Action Services ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under-Duet
Cameron Shepherd Humboldt Music Festival Assn. ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Jacob Puetz Humboldt Music Festival Assn. ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Claire Milette Michael Barlage ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Jacelyn Wells Behiel, Will & Biemans ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Olivia Cropper Bourgault Industries Ltd. ~ Piano ~ Ages 10 and under
Alyssa Yaskow Discovery Ford ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Ian Stock East Central Reg. Music Teachers Assoc. ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Ralph Armada Doepker Industries ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Brianna Kozar Humboldt Co-op ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Keniel Reich Humboldt & District Kinettes ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Taryn Stock Humboldt Dairy Queen ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Lizzy Tan MNP Humboldt ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Tanner Hall Humboldt Good Neighbour Store Inc. ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Adrienne Kolkman City of Humboldt ~ Piano ~ Ages 11 to 14
Claire Durand Nutrien ~ Piano ~ Ages 15 & up
Hannah Kolkman Humboldt Good Neighbour Store Inc. ~ Piano ~ Ages 15 & up
Kelsey Berscheid Schulte Industries Ltd. ~ Piano ~ Ages 15 & up
Nickheta Franko Weber & Gaspar ~ Piano ~ Ages 15 & up
Brett Muyers City of Humboldt ~ Piano ~ Ages 15 & up
Jenna Giddings Humboldt Music Festival Assn. ~ Piano ~ Ages 15 & up
Emma Syroteuk Humboldt Music Festival Assn. ~ Piano ~ Ages 15 & up
Karyn Kaip Cecilia M. Poole ~ Piano ~ Ages 15 & up
Ian & Taryn Stock Arts Humboldt Inc. ~ Piano ~ Best Duet Performance
Tanner Hall Little German Band ~ Best Performance by a Student in Band or Strings
Sarah Pylatuik and Cadence Bott Humboldt Catholic Schools Band Parents Assoc. ~ Band ~ Solo Band Performance
Adrienne Kolkman Horizon School Division ~ Band ~ Solo Band Performance
Chase Hall Cecilia M. Poole ~ Band ~ Solo Band Performance
HUMBOLDT COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE BANDS Horizon School Division
RURAL NORTH BAND BANDS Humboldt Music Festival Assn.
HUMBOLDT PUBLIC SCHOOL BANDS Michael Barlage (Barmax)
ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL BANDS Humboldt Music Festival Assn.
ST. DOMINIC SCHOOL BANDS Humboldt Music Festival Assn.
Chantel Richels St. Peter’s Concert Society ~ Vocal ~ Al Gerwing Memorial
Taevan Athmer St. Peter’s Concert Society ~ Vocal ~ Al Gerwing Memorial
Julia Ramsay Junk, Gerald & Bernice Outstanding Vocalist
HCI Choir St Peter’s Choir & HMFA Outstanding Choir Performance
Jade Otsig City of Humboldt ~ Vocal/Musical Theatre ~ Age 15 & up
Kayden Leier St. Augustine Catholic Women’s League ~ Vocal/Musical Theatre ~ Ages 10 & under
Geri Lon Valdesimo St. Augustine Catholic Women’s League ~ Vocal/Musical Theatre ~ Age 11 to 14
Jessica Voldeng Humboldt Music Festival Assn. ~ Vocal/Musical Theatre ~ Age 11 to 14
Sydney McAvany Humboldt Music Festival Assn. ~ Vocal ~ Age 11 to 14
Breanna Michel Humboldt Music Festival Assn. ~ Vocal/Musical Theatre ~ Age 10 & under
Jordon Zazula Arts Humboldt Inc. ~ Vocal/Musical Theatre ~ Age 10 & under
