The Cariboo Festival in Williams Lake is hoping to make a bang this year as participants tune their instruments in preparation for competitions in April.
This year’s categories are Vocal/Choir (April 4, 5), Piano (April 6, 7), Speech Arts (April 9-11, and includes public speaking, storytelling, improv and drama), followed by the Honours Concert on April 14 for the top performers.
Becky Thomas, music teacher and owner of Hummingbird Centre, had students in last year’s competition and said the event was fabulous with a great adjudicator.
“All of my kids that participated, for most of them it was their first time, and they all wanted to go back and do it again this year,” said Thomas, noting most of them are. She has students competing in the piano and vocal categories. Along with being on the Cariboo Festival Society’s board, Thomas also teaches guitar at her studio.
Contestants are graded into categories. Students receiving 85 per cent or higher are awarded gold, 80-84 per cent for silver, 75-79 per cent for bronze and a mark below 75 per cent a participant mark. Whoever receives honours is the student with the highest mark.
“It’s always fun to hear what the adjudicator has to say. It’s good for the students because they get another perspective on how they’re playing besides just their teacher and parents,” said Thomas. “It’s also good for teachers because you often get confirmed in what you’re doing right, but you also learn some things along the way, too. The adjudicators are quite advanced in their positions, so it’s always nice to compare notes.
“The biggest thing, though, is seeing the kids enjoy themselves and gaining confidence in performing.”
Any Cariboo resident can apply for entry to the Cariboo Festival with the hopes of moving onto provincials, as long as their primary source of income doesn’t come from musical or drama-related sources. Adults above the age of 28 can be adjudicated but are not given a graded mark. Thomas said even local music teachers participate, as it’s a great way to grow.
Last year, Cassius Ford, Eloise Hobi and Lara Hobi were sent to provincials.
The Cariboo Festival will be held at the Hummingbird Centre for the piano category, as well as at two churches in town for vocals and speech arts.
“It takes all of us working together to make the festival succeed,” said Thomas of the society’s board.
Sharon Hoffman, a local singer and a part of the Cariboo Festival board, said they are in need of volunteers.
“We are wanting to do something really wonderful for the music kids in the community, but also, there are lots of adults and choirs,” said Hoffman.
For those wishing to donate to the festival, you can click on the donate button at cariboofestival.ca or write a check made out to the Cariboo Festival Society and mail it to Carrie Barker at 629 Pinchbeck Street, Williams Lake, B.C., V2G 1E6.
READ MORE: Williams Lake high school student to compete at Cariboo Festival
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