NATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

AUGUST 9-13/16, EDMONTON AB

by SaskMusic

February 1, 2017 in Buzz

The Saskatchewan Music Festivals Association (www.smfa.ca) reported, “To compete at the National Music Festival, musicians have to first receive a first-place standing in a provincial/national class at one of Canada’s 233 local festivals. Only after winning at a district festival, and adjudicator recommendation, may they then proceed to a Provincial Music Festival. They must then win first place at the Provincial level and be recommended by the adjudicators to represent his or her province at the National Music Festival.” Sixty-four amateur musicians across the country ranging in ages 14 to 28 competed in nine disciplines: voice, piano, strings, classical guitar, woodwinds, brass, percussion, chamber music and musical theatre (www.smfa.ca).

The Saskatchewan team and award recipients included:

BEAM Quartet (Brendan Catalano, Eric Wong, Anna Wheeler, Megan Bauman): Chamber. Brendan Catalano was recipient of a Spirit Award.

William Boan: Strings (Violin), accompanied by Bonnie Nicholson

Stephen Davis: Classical Guitar, accompanied by Paul Zhao

Abby Fuller: Brass (Trumpet), accompanied by Maria Fuller. Received 2nd in Brass, recipient of the Special Brass Award and a Spirit Award.

Jake Heisler: Musical Theatre, accompanied by Jeri Ryba. Recipient of Special Prize in Musical Theatre.

Vanessa Klassen: Woodwind (Clarinet), accompanied by Wayne Gibson

Fraser Krips: Percussion. Winner of 1st in Percussion.

Spencer McKnight: Voice (Tenor), accompanied by Mark Turner. Recipient of 3rd in Voice and Recipient of the Special Prize in Voice.

Gloria Yu: Piano, accompanied by Kathleen Solose

Saskatchewan also had two choir entries (judged by submitted recording): AVE (directed by Melissa Morgan) and Campbell Spirit Choir (directed by Russ Baird). Campbell was recipient of 2nd in the Richard W Cooke Choral Competition.

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