The Cowichan Music Festival, which celebrated its 76th year, capped off three weeks of performances with their annual Highlights Concert at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on March 3. It featured students from throughout the Cowichan Valley showcasing their talents in song, dance, and on instruments such as the violin, and piano.
Tickling the ivories in the Piano Category Grade 11 student Sadie Wood from Queen Margaret's School was chosen to be the provincial representative for Intermediate Piano, and Brentwood College's Nita Qiu who is also in Grade 11 will be her alternate. On a high note, in the Classical Voice category Maggie Wilke will be the junior provincial representative, with Opal Hollett as her alternate and Zebastin Borjeau who is in Grade 10 at Frances Kelsey Secondary was chosen to be this year's representative for Intermediate Classical Voice.
Setting the stage to be the provincial representatives in Musical Theatre is QMS Grade 9 student Julian Lapointe for the junior category, and Lucy Blackburn will be the alternate. Representing for the Intermediate category is Aviana Audenart, with Caidence Burns as her alternate. Having their praises sung in the choir category was Queen Margaret’s School Secondary Concert Choir as well as the Encore Women’s Choir.
Once again this year several young dancers will be putting their best foot forward at Provincials including Ava Heppell and Adera Stevenson for Stage Dance I, Yasmin Foo for Stage Dance II, and Beth-Rose Trawick for Stage Dance III, as well as Madison Steen for Modern Dance II, and Luca Keddell for Modern Dance III. This year's alternates will be Elena Clements, and Georgia Coster for Stage I, Madelyn Currie for Stage II, and Ryland Racicot for Stage III. Mackenzie Williams will be the alternate for Modern Dance II, and Jade Chen will be the alternate for Modern Dance III. Awarded the Merited Participant in the Dance category was Lydia Newman.
"We really enjoy the opportunity to encourage and acknowledge our valley talent," said CMF president Carol Newington. "This year was no exception, besides the provincial representatives we gave out 116 awards."
This evening out was a highlight of the week. Emceed by CMF vice-president Jean Davis and former festival participant Gillian Duta, gifted and accomplished young musicians, singers and dancers of the valley once again took the professional stage to delight friends, family, and other audience members with all their hard work and musical skills.
"Over the years, Gillian has performed many times at the Cowichan Music Festival, it was wonderful to have her return from university and help out," said Newington. "I would like to thank all the volunteers that help to put this festival together. Such a grand group of people! We couldn’t do it without them. I would, also like to acknowledge all the teachers of music, voice, dance, piano and orchestra. Their patience and encouragement has been incredible important to the youth of our community."
