Students of music, dance and speech arts have been busy for months preparing for the 88th Kiwanis Music Festival that begins on Wednesday.
“The festival provides an opportunity for young performing artists to demonstrate their achievements in music, dance and speech arts and to have their performances professionally evaluated in a constructive and positive manner,” said Lorna Bull, secretary for the Penticton Kiwanis Music Festival.
Choral, classical voice, junior piano, senior piano, instrumental strings, classical guitar will all be presented in March. This will be followed by classical/modern dance, musical theatre, speech arts and stage dance in April.
The festival concludes with two highlights concerts on May 2 and 3. Competitive sessions are open to the public and entry is by donation. The March program is available online at www.pkmf.org.
Added features of this year’s festival include a special workshop by Adele Clark, classical voice and choral adjudicator, on March 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The workshop is open to festival registrants as well as interested community members of all ages and disciplines. The fee for the workshop is $15 and sign up is from March 5 to 7 at the Penticton United Church.
Drumming workshops for musicians and dancers will be presented by Bobbi Bovenzi on April 13 and April 27. The first session will be for all ages followed by a second workshop for ages 13 and up to demonstrate how to accompany a dance class with live music. The April 27 workshop starts with a yoga class followed by drumming workshop for musicians and dancers. Registration is at the Cleland Theatre on April 12.
The most promising young performers coming to Penticton will continue on to the Performing Arts B.C. Provincial Festival which is being hosted in Penticton from June 3 to 7.
Approximately 450 students of music, dance and speech arts will be recommended to compete, takes classes and workshops.