Annalise Robins plays violin in the Strings and Guitar portion of the 2021 Rotary Music Festival, which returns to in-person performances on Monday when the 2022 festival begins.--FILE PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Local youth skilled in performing arts will take the stage once again for Medicine Hat’s 67th annual Rotary Music Festival, taking place from March 6-20.
The festival, which features youth ages five to 20, will be in person for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It feels wonderful to be able to host a live festival once again,” executive director, Delynne Lorentzen, told the News. “These kids are absolutely amazing. Many of them had online lessons for much of the past two years and there were very few if any performance opportunities. What you will see this year is a demonstration of commitment and discipline from those who made it through the past two years and didn’t quit … As well, we have a wonderful crop of beginners who are up and coming, and that’s really exciting.”
A variety of disciplines will be showcased throughout the festival, including brass woodwind and string instruments, piano, vocals, musical theatre and speech. One performer will be chosen from each discipline to compete for the Rose Bowl trophy and Rotary Scholarship.
“(The Rose Bowl) is always a highlight of the festival as it showcases the best talent in our city,” said Lorentzen. “Performers from the youth categories have a chance to be recommended to the Alberta Music Festival Association where they compete against performers recommended from across the province.”
Lorentzen encourages the community to show support for performers, but requests anyone wishing to attend the March 18 Rose Bowl reserve a space by emailing mhrotarymusicfestival@gmail.com in advance.
“This year we have a few changes to festival due to the lingering effects of COVID (so there are) no group classes and alternate venues (will be utilized),” said Lorentzen.
The festival will be held at four locations; the Medicine Hat College’s Craft Photo Studio, MHC’s Black Box Theatre, St. Barnabas Anglican Church and the Esplanade. Visitors are invited to attend the performances at no cost.
“With restrictions easing as of March 1 in Alberta, we are now able to invite the community to attend sessions in person,” Lorentzen said. “The schedule can be found on our website under ‘Festival 2022 – Festival at a Glance.’ We invite people to wear a mask if comfortable doing so, as we still want to be respectful to those around us when we are in close quarters.”
