Festival Inspires Young Musicians
If you like music–classical, contemporary, jazz, musicals–then you will enjoy the Shuswap Music Festival. This year’s annual Festival runs from April 8 to May 3. The Festival hosts a diverse range of amateur musicians from five-year-old violinists to aspiring pianists, musical theatre vocalists, school jazz and concert bands, and senior members of choirs. All performances, with the exception of school bands, are at Nexus at First in Salmon Arm. Band performances will take place at Pleasant Valley Secondary School in Armstrong. All candidates perform competitively. Acclaimed professional musicians adjudicate each performance. These adjudicators bring their international performance credentials and a wealth of teaching, conducting, and masterclass workshop talents to the Festival. They critique, coach and inspire excellence. Adjudicator biographies and Festival programs are online at www.ShuswapFestival.com.
The Festival continues to expand and for the first time offers a String Orchestra category. String Orchestras will perform on opening day, Monday April 8, starting at 6 PM. The public is welcome to attend all adjudicated sessions. Admission is by donation.
Vocal and Choral sessions begin Monday, April 15. School choirs perform Monday morning April 15 and Community Youth and Adult Choirs perform Monday evening at 6 PM. Piano Ensembles entertain audiences each Festival with duets, trios, and 2-pianos-8-hands performances! Don’t miss them on Wednesday April 24, starting at 6 PM. The music department of School District #83 enthusiastically supports the Festival and school band entries continue to grow. Fourteen bands will perform at Pleasant Valley Secondary School from April 23 to 25.
The Festival celebrates amateur talent. The concluding Gala concert showcases the Best of the Festival. Awards presented at the Gala encourage continued musical development. Scholarships provided through memorial funds and bequeaths managed by the Shuswap Community Foundation support advanced studies. Adjudicators select top candidates to compete at the B.C. Performing Arts Festival. Some contestants move on to Western Canada and National Festival competitions.
The Shuswap Music Festival is a community event hosted with the help of many volunteers and sponsored by the three Rotary Clubs of Salmon Arm. Private individuals, business and corporate donors support the Festival and include The City of Salmon Arm, The Shuswap Community Foundation, Acorn Music and SASCU. “Thank You” to all supporters, volunteers, and especially to all participants.