There’s no doubt about it: Estevan has a lot of musical talent, and it was once again on display during this year’s Estevan and District Music Festival.
The 2016 edition of the festival wrapped up on April 21, after several weeks of performances that were separated by the Good Friday long weekend and spring break.
This year’s festival boasted two programs dedicated to festival highlights and awards, which was a first for the festival. The first program on April 5 at St. Paul’s United Church offered up many of the top performers in the speech arts, vocal and band divisions.
The other on April 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church featured many of the best from the piano division.
“We had a great night of listening to piano music, and many awards and scholarships were received by the students,” said Pam Dechief, who was the president of this year’s festival. “We liked the change, and we have had much positive feedback of dividing the awards concert into two separate concerts.”
One of the perks of the separate concerts is it allowed more musicians to perform. There were nine performances at the program on April 21. Most years there would be five piano selections back when all the music festival disciplines were showcased on the same night.
Festival organizers announced at the concert on April 21 that Jillian Watson was chosen by the festival’s adjudicators to compete in the piano discipline at the Saskatchewan Music Festival at the University of Saskatchewan from June 3 to 5.
Claire Miller was presented with the Murray GM Award for Outstanding Performance in Multiple Disciplines. She performed in guitar and piano during the festival. A musician must perform in at least two disciplines and have at least five solo performances to be eligible for the honour.
A decision has not been made on whether to continue with separate highlights and awards programs next year, or to revert to one big night to wrap up the festival.
Esther Bangsund, who was the emcee of the piano program, paid tribute to the students who performed that night and throughout the festival. She also recognized the piano teachers and the parents who helped motivate the students.
“The piano students dedicated time to prepare for all their performances,” said Bangsund.
Dechief was pleased with this year’s festival. They had about 650 entries, which was up from a year ago.
“We are enjoying the talents of many more students this year than last year,” said Dechief.
She believes the students were well-prepared for their performances, and the committee members, the adjudicators and the audience could see the hard work the students had put in this year.
