The delicate piece was Mayflowers by Christos Tsitsaros. The rolled chords under Danielle Gurnett’s fingers and the subtle rhythms took the listener into a musical garden full of flowers, spring sunshine and gently swaying May breezes.
Minutes later David Kleinfeldt sat at the piano in St. John’s Lutheran Church and tore into the Mission: Impossible Theme, both hands jumping over the keys, pounding out syncopated rhythms.
This 20-minute snapshot of the Barrhead Rotary Music Festival captured the essence of the event that ended last Saturday; it was replete with fun, variety and youthful talent. For five days audiences were treated to poetry – some in French – speech, singing, guitar and violin recitals, and piano pieces in different categories. One boy, Oliver Hove, also played a harmonica. Genres included classical, jazz, blues, ragtime, baroque and contemporary.
Adjudicating were Valerie Bessette (French poetry), Anne McIntyre (poetry and choral speech), Lizzy Hoyt (guitar, violin, harmonica, chamber group, classroom music), and Marlis Gunderson (piano).
The last festival notes may have sounded and the final advice given, but organizers still have a job to do.
They must add up the marks that determine the awarding of medallions and scholarships. As the festival belongs to the Alberta Music Festival Association, there is a chance for a student to perform at provincial level.
Gunderson said she loved the music festival, which saw performers get either a gold, silver or bronze certificate.
“It is very well organized,” she said. “The people are friendly, the music phenomenal and the teachers fantastic.”
Gunderson also said her motto was to put festive into festival.
Festival president Lucille Terpsma said the number of entries had been revised from 240 to 300.
She hailed the local talent displayed and praised the adjudicators. Terpsma hoped future festivals would feature more instrumentalists. She also appealed for more teachers to come on board.
