Virden Music & Arts Festival, which began Mar. 12, has already attracted hundreds of people to Virden this spring. Hundreds more will attend this smartly-run festival in April to hear expert adjudications; performers with their families will line-up at restaurants, stop into stores and fill up with gas, between performances either in the Aud Theatre, St. Paul’s United Church or viewing artwork at the CPR Historic Centre gallery.
Instrumental
In sessions over two days, Barbara Dowsett of Minnedosa heard school ensembles as well as solos, duets and private ensembles with musicians from Virden, Oak Lake, Elkhorn, Reston, Melita and Alexander. A teacher of instrumental music for over 30 years, Dowsett also conducted the Strathclair Community Choir and choreographed Strathclair Musical Theatre productions.
Dance
During two days of festival dance, groups from Hamiota, Reston, Roblin, Virden, Pipestone, Brandon and even Dauphin performed for Adjudicator Ashley Wolfe of Garson, MB.
Wolfe has a strong background in Irish Dance and ballet as a performer and teacher.
Last week, in a ballet performance, a high mark of 94 was handed out to 16&U Pointe Group from Roblin, who danced to “Sound of Silence”.
Choral/vocal
Festival takes a break until Apr. 9 and 10 when Virden Aud Theatre will be the scene of vocal/choral performances. Arline Collins of Arborg, MB will adjudicate the sessions.
From street musician in the Kootenays to lead roles as a member of the Vancouver Opera Chorus in contemporary musicals and classics like “Sound of Music”, Collins adjudicates from a diverse experience which includes conducting and individual lessons.
Piano
Pianists will perform Wednesday, Apr. 11 on the Aud Theatre stage; Thursday and Friday performances take place in St. Paul’s United Church.
Performers throughout the southwest are entered, and some from as far afield as Swan River and Brandon are booked to play for adjudicator April Gibson who has a studio in Killarney. Gibson is also part of Brandon University staff, with the Eckhardt-Gramatte Conservatory of Music and the faculty for the “Kick Start” Piano Ensemble Camp for teens at BU as well.
Speech arts
April 16 – 18 spoken poetry, speech choirs, character pieces, reader’s theatre and dramatic presentations will take place on the Aud stage.
Adjudicating speech is Bambi Rutherford of Stonewall, MB. She is a trained vocalist and pianist, and has directed over 25 musicals. Rutherford has given piano, voice and guitar lessons for 40 years.
Visual arts
Elaine Rawlings of Hamiota is adjudicating the wide variety of art – from canvas to three-D as well as photography pieces. Rawlings, a retired elementary school teacher, is a practiced artist and quilter. Her creations have been well received throughout shows with the Hamiota Art Club and provincially through Arts West.
Painting, drawing, cartooning, murals, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, fibre and photography classes have entries. Throughout the month of April the festival pieces can be enjoyed at the CPR Historic Centre Gallery.
