The 100 Mile Festival of the Arts Committee held its annual general meeting on June 16.
Bruce Madu is continuing as president and Shelly Morton is continuing as treasurer. Marilyn Buyar was re-elected vice-president and Frances Higginson was re-elected secretary.
Adjudicators for the 2015 Festival of the Arts have been confirmed. They include Marty Summers (instrumental), Kathy Bloomfield (speech arts), Marilyn Wiwcharuk (piano) and Colleen Whidden (vocal).
"We are pleased to have Colleen [Whidden] joining us as our vocal adjudicator,” says Buyar.
“Colleen is well known in the community. She was active as a music teacher at Peter Skene Ogden and was very involved in the performing arts scene in 100 Mile House prior to her move to Calgary."
Whidden was a vocal adjudicator at the recent Performing Arts B.C. Festival in Penticton June 4-7.
Local students Anna Betuzzi (piano), Lydia Kinasewich (speech arts), Courtney Cave and Mia Weir (vocal) attended the provincial festival.
Weir received an honourable mention for her performance in junior classical voice.
Observers, who also had an opportunity to perform and receive an adjudication, were Emma Donnelly (strings), Kayleigh Jacobsen (vocal) and Betuzzi (instrumental).
Kinasewich says Penticton was an amazing experience.
“I was able to watch speech arts and musical theatre performances, which were inspiring and moving. I even had time to watch some modern dance. All the performers gave high quality performances.
"As a competitor, I received feedback from the adjudicator about things to try. I am now very inspired and excited for our next festival in 100 Mile House and can’t wait to start applying all the things I’ve learned.”
Betuzzi also thought it was a really good learning experience.
“The very high level that the piano competitors were playing at was both intimidating and inspiring.”
The 100 Mile Festival of Arts Committee meets the second Friday of each month to plan the two-week spring festival, as well as recitals and workshops.
New members are always welcome.
Information and contact numbers are available on the website at 100mileart.com.
