The Assiniboia and District Music Festival Association held The Stars of the Festival on April 26.
The Stars of the Festival concert and awards celebrated highlights from their 86th annual Music Festival held on April 22 and 23. The audience was treated to performances in voice, speech arts, musical theatre, strings, and piano. There were 38 awards given to deserving students that evening, as well as awards for all our first-time participants. These awards are generously donated by businesses and organizations from the Assiniboia community and surrounding area. The program was followed by an ice cream social where young and old grabbed a sundae, sprinkled on some toppings, and had a good visit with friends and neighbours.
The evening included a special certificate of appreciation handed out to Jeannette Mynett. Since 1994, she has been playing organ and string selections in the Assiniboia and District Music Festival, a total of 24 years! As a local string teacher and self-described “life-long student”, Jeannette’s unwavering enthusiasm is greatly appreciated.
During the two-day Assiniboia and District Music Festival, audiences were entertained to 109 musical performances by over 40 individuals throughout the latter half of April 22 and all of April 23. There were 24 of these participants which had never been in the local music festival before; it was wonderful to have so many first-time participants! The Assiniboia Community Choir joined during the April 23 session.
The adjudicator for this year was Katherine Dowling. Praised by the New York Times for her “crystalline performances, gestural expressiveness, and careful attention to color”, and by the Boston Globe for her “effortless incisiveness”, award-winning pianist Dowling has performed across North America and the United Kingdom. Equally compelling as a solo, collaborative, and ensemble performer, she holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University. She gave each performer truly expert advice and a lot of encouragement, and was a superb adjudicator for the festival.
As with many successful events, the music festival also had the support of many willing volunteers who contributed in many ways during the week of the festival. The executive included Gail Mergen, Karen Reisner, Karen Meagher, Chad and Heather Giraudier, Heather Delorme, Bethany Daechsel, Raegan Rasmussen, Sacha Struble, and Monique Vickery.
