by Mary Kelly
An eruption of musical performances took place over two weeks in March and April. Featuring classical, jazz, pop and music-theatre repertoire, more than 500 youth and adults demonstrated their musical talents at the 10th annual Yellowknife Music Festival (YKMF).During this year's festival, 75 pianists, 17 vocalists, one instrumentalist, seven school choirs, six school bands, two fiddle groups, four community choirs and one adult vocal ensemble performed for visiting adjudicators.
On May 14, at the Northern Arts and Culural Centre, the YKMF Showcase Concert will feature outstanding voice, piano, band and choir performances from the festival classes. Admission is by donation and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Each year, the Music Teachers Association of the NWT engages professional adjudicators to grade each performance and provide workshop-style feedback to each performer. These adjudicators are specialists in voice, piano, band or instrumental performance.
From the YKMF, participants are selected to move on to a higher level of performance – the Alberta Provincial Music Festival. These selected musicians are like elite athletes; showing high level performance abilities they are able to compete with the top talent from across Alberta. In 2017, Keira Clinton and Joshua Curran placed first and second in their respective piano performance classes.
Aurora Chorealis, conducted by Margo Nightingale placed second in the Adult Choir category.
This year, 10 young musicians and one choir were recommended to compete at the Alberta Provincial Festival in Edmonton at the end of May.
In voice: Alexandria Hillier, Sadee Mitchell, Diana Rockwell, Raven Mutford, as well as the Yellowknife Youth Choir.
In piano: Ani Ghulyan, Joseph Curran, Keira Clinton, Nura Jalil-Aga, Sema Jalil-Aga and Brian Lian. Additionally, Alexandria Hillier is aiming to compete at the National Music Festival, which will take place in Sackville, N. B. this summer.
The YKMF is a real team effort relying on the contributions of many for its success. This year's festival was coordinated by Claire Singer, Kerry Wheler, Susan Shantora and Mary Kelly, with administrative support from Sue Epp.
Longtime sponsors include the NWT Arts Council, Capital Suites, and private donors. Music teachers and parents spend much energy and time preparing the students for their performance, and countless volunteers help in various ways throughout the festival.
The YKMF celebrates the journey of learning through music performance. The journey is different for everyone and can start at any age or level.
The festival celebrates the talents of the musicians who work hard to perform at a superior level, the teachers who guide the musicians on their path of learning, the parents and friends who support the performers every day along the way, the colleagues who will be looking to join them in music endeavours in the future and the community, which is invited to enjoy the music and encourage the musicians as their talent blossoms.
Through the thoughtful and astute comments from the very knowledgeable adjudicators, it is the hope of the YKMF that all participants will grow musically and personally.
– Mary Kelly is co-ordinator of Yellowknife Music Festival