The Estevan and District Music Festival paid tribute to one of its longtime volunteers during the piano awards night that wrapped up the festival on April 21.
Laura Baryluk was presented with a Volunteer Recognition Award from the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association. The local music festival committee is responsible for nominating local volunteers for the award, and then the provincial association selects award recipients from across the province.
“The award is set aside for people who go above and beyond to make the local festival a better event by their participation,” said Esther Bangsund, who was the emcee at the piano awards night.
Estevan’s music festival committee nominated Baryluk and Danielle Evenson, and both were approved by the provincial association. They were saluted in the fall by the provincial association, and again earlier this year by the local committee.
Evenson was saluted during the awards night for the vocal, speech arts and band disciplines on April 5.
Bangsund noted Evenson is a very talented and well-known piano accompanist and teacher.
As for Baryluk, she has resided in the Estevan area for about 60 years. Several of her children and grandchildren have participated in the music festival.
After her retirement from teaching in 1995, she became involved with the music festival. She has been the secretary for the adjudicators, and has assisted in all disciplines.
“She is always prompt, detail-oriented and well-appreciated by the adjudicators,” said Bangsund. “Laura’s favourite disciplines are musical theatre and the choirs.”
Bangsund noted the secretary to the adjudicators supplies the music to the adjudicators, and fills out all the certificates. She added that Baryluk has done a great job, and her efforts are appreciated.
