The month-long Cariboo Festival started this week with 66 entries in the band and instrumental section and 116 entries in the Speech Arts section.
The band and instrumental competition took place April 4-5 at St. Peter’s Anglican Church adjudicated by Norris Berg.
Berg has a bachelor of education and bachelor of music degree from the University of Calgary and masters of music degree in violin performance from the University of British Columbia.
He has played in the Edmonton Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. He has taught and adjudicated for many years in Alberta and is currently conductor and music director of the Thompson Valley Community Orchestra in Kamloops where he lives with his wife, Heather. a professional pianist. They both continue to teach music and serve as co-music directors at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral.
Speech Arts competition took place April 7 at the Glendale Studio Theatre with Ginny Alexander from 100 Mile House adjudicating.
There are 102 entries in the piano classes taking place April 11-14 at the Calvary Tabernacle Church with adjudicator Yvette Rowledge from New Westminster.
There are 52 entries in the vocal and choral classes adjudicated by Norene Morrow of Kelowna and being held at the Lutheran Church April 18-20.
There will also be a choir concert featuring the choir entries on April 19, starting at 7 p.m. at the Lutheran Church.
Creative writing has 32 entries and the adjudicator is a local writer, Verena Berger. A workshop will be held for high-school grades on April 15 at Maranatha Christian School.
The festival committee invites the public to come out and listen to the various competitions and hear the adjudicators’ comments.
Attending an individual session is $2 per adult, $1 per student or senior. Memberships can also be purchased for individuals $15, family $25 and senior $8. Membership includes the entry fees for the three formal concerts.
Programs are also available at the Open Book and each discipline for $3.
The Spotlight Performance is April 30 and the Honors Concert is May 7. Both concerts will be held at 7 p.m. at Cariboo Bethel Church.
