UNITY ‑ If you drove home (through the snow squalls) humming “If I Only Had a Brain,” you were probably at the final performances of the 96th Unity Music Festival.
Sunday afternoon, April 10 an appreciative crowd gathered at the UCHS gym to hear young people showcase their talent in piano, saxophone and vocal performances. Musical theatre is always entertaining and it seems to get better year by year. As MC Kathy Soloski said, it takes a lot of confidence and desire to get on the stage and perform before a large audience, but “kids these days” seem to be able to do it with aplomb. From the littlest (Jack Reiche with his siblings) to the tallest (Mateo Rutley) they strutted out there and showed what a great deal of practise and a lot of talent can achieve.
Dallan Kuhn never disappoints, and was recommended to the provincial finals for several of his performances at the festival throughout the week, as were many of the performers in these highlights.
Recommended for provincial music festival were River Thompson, Mayla Williams, Mateo Rutley, Dallan Kuhn, Avyne McLean, Erin Squires and Molly Orobko,” says a UMF committee member. This is a back-to-back provincial appearance for Dallan Kuhn. The provincial music festival event will take place in June in Saskatoon.
Dallan last performed in person at a provincial music festival event in 2019 in Moose Jaw. Since then, there have been COVID-19 restrictions. His provincial performance in 2020 had to be video taped so he is looking forward to the opportunity to hit the big stage one more time in 2022.
President of the association, Chrystal Fawell, expressed appreciation to all the committee members and volunteers who help mount the festival. Morag Riddell gave an amusing tribute to Vicky Orobko and presented her with the volunteer of the year award.
Kathy Soloski thanked the local businesses and volunteers who help sustain Unity’s musical festival tradition; if you check their page on Facebook you see a long list of supporters and donors who keep the tradition strong. The students receive scholarships and trophies in recognition of their work and accomplishment, and the praise is likely worth more to them than the financial rewards.
2022 Scholarship and award winners
Piano: The Tim and Nadine Keller Family Scholarship $50 – Sadie Risling; Joyce T. Smith Memorial $50 – Keanna Kelly; Mrytle Cleall Memorial Cup and Keeper and Scholarship (donated by Battlefords Registered Music Teachers) $100 + Award – Sage Aldred; Audrey Fischer Memorial $50 – Hailey-lynn Aldred; Audrey Fischer Memorial $50 – Eden Fawell; Wilma DeBelser Memorial $50 – Emma Senger; Wilma DeBelser Memorial $50 – Alex Melnyk; Katherine Schell Memorial $50 - Brynn Delhommeau; Katherine Schell Memorial $50- Emily Melnyk; Katherine Schell Memorial $50- Sophie Risling; First Year of Instruction – Cut Knife Royal Purple $25 – Harper Sperle; First Year of Instruction – Cut Knife Royal Purple $25 – Parker Mackay; Duet – Barbara Surine $100 – Jensen and Eden Fawell; Recital Class – Unity St. Peter’s CWL $50 – Jensen Fawell; Canadian Class – Dr. Mervyn Ashing Memorial Award – Alex and Emily Melnyk; Bach/Baroque - Unity St. Peter’s CWL Award – Lyla Reiche; Sonata/Sonatina – Unity Royal Canadian Legion Award – Hailey-lynn Aldred; Dr. Fred and Evelyn Weeks Trophy and Keeper Award - Hailey-lynn Aldred.
Vocal: Unity United Church Choir $50 – River Thompson; Unity Lutheran Church $50 – Mayla Williams; Unity Royal Purple $100 – Mateo Rutley; Unity Knights of Columbus $100 – Dallan Kuhn; Unity Knights of Columbus $50 – Avyne McLean Folk Song 12 and Under – Cut Knife CWL Award – River Thompson; Folk Song 13 and Over – Wilkie United Church Award – Dallan Kuhn.
Musical theatre: Barry and Chris DeRoo Davisson $50 – Avyne McLean; Unity Elks Lodge $75 – Mayla Williams; Unity Baptist Church $50 – Erin Squires; Unity Baptist Church $25 – Ripley Wells; Gilbert Agencies – to a vocal student exhibiting a love of musical theatre, any age $100 - Mateo Rutley. Schools: Unity Baptist Church $75 – UCHS Grade 8A; Unity St. Peter’s CWL $50 – UPS Grade 2K.
Speech arts: Cut Knife CWL $50 –Reiche Family (Lyla, Clara, Charley and Jack); Open: Unity Kilwinning Lodge $50 – Sadie Risling – Saxaphone; Unity Music Festival Association
Most outstanding piano performer of festival trophy and keeper and Verna Veikle Memorial Scholarship $200 – Molly Orobko; Jimmie and Ethel Anderson Memorial
Most outstanding vocal/musical theatre performer of festival and Wilkie CWL Scholarship $200 – Dallan Kuhn.
