CANORA - “It is very exciting to have the live festival back in our community.”
Gillian Rice of Canora, Parkland Music Festival Corresponding Secretary, said she and the other volunteers preparing for the festival are looking forward to bringing the energy of the festival back to Canora.
“The last time we held the Parkland Music festival in Canora was in 2018,” said Rice. “We were scheduled to have the festival and had everything lined up in 2020 but had to cancel because of the pandemic.”
Festival dates are April 12 and 13 with classes to be held at the Canora Composite School Auditorium, including two sessions on April 12 and one on April 13.
The final concert is set for April 16 also at the CCS Auditorium.
Rice reports that the number of entries is down to about one third of the normal total before the arrival of COVID-19.
“I have heard of this happening in many communities that are starting up their festivals after the pandemic. Hopefully we will get our numbers back up to where they were previously but I do think it will take a couple of years.”
Spectators are welcome to attend this year’s festival.
“We have a suggested donation of $5 per session,” said Rice. “There are programs available at Community Insurance and the Town Office in Canora for $10, which allows one person entry to all sessions.”
Festival entries closed in late January.
“There are mostly piano classes in the festival this year. We do have a few spoken word classes and two vocal entries as well.”
This year’s adjudicator is Lori Potter, whose background includes a wide range of valuable experience, according to the adjudicator bio provided by the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association.
“Lori Potter has her Bachelor of Education in Music and French, her RCM Grade 10 Piano and in 2018 she earned her Associateship in Piano Performance with Distinction from Trinity College of London, England.
“Lori has taught Royal Conservatory of Music piano, theory, harmony, history and voice classes for over 30 years and taught classroom choir in schools. She has recorded two CDs as songwriter, vocalist and pianist with her church.
“Lori is currently the director of Conservatory Adult Choir and accompanist for Juventus Choir as well as an instructor of Summer Conservatory Choral and Jr. Glee Camps. Mrs. Potter loves teaching music to all ages and enjoys performing, sharing the gift of music”
In addition to Rice, the Parkland Music Festival Executive includes: Lindsey Propp, president; Chantel Kitchen, entry secretary, and Naomi Kapitoler, treasurer.
Committee members are:
- Scholarships/patrons - Lindsey Propp, Naomi Kapitoler, Gillian Rice and Jocelyne St-Jacques
- Adjudicator assistant co-ordinator - Brittainy Vanin
- Program design/typing - Jocelyne St-Jacques and Gillian Rice
- Housing/supplies - Patty Kolodziejski and Jocelyne St-Jacques
- Scholarships - Linda Osachoff, Pastor Brett Watson and Joan Foreman
- Admission/door marshals: Catherine Holt.
