April 9 to May 7
2012
Competitors who are interested in advancing to the prestigious Ontario Music Festivals Association finals competition in June of 2012 should keep the qualifications and performance requirements in mind when entering classes or selecting music for our local festival.
Choose your area of interest below for details, or visit the OMFA website: www.omfa.info
A strong team representing the Kiwanis Festival of the Performing Arts Stratford excelled at the prestigious OMFA Provincial Finals at Wilfrid Laurier Faculty of Music in June 2011.
Two bands, two choirs and 43 solo musicians and actors earned impressive results, bringing home four gold medals, four silver, three bronze and an amazing 15 honourable mentions.
Devon Roulston earned gold in percussion, qualifying to represent Ontario at the FCMF National Championships at Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where she achieved a remarkable second place finish. Devon is currently majoring in music at Wilfrid Laurier.
Bands representing our festival excelled in the community band competition, with the Kitchener Musical Society Band winning gold, and the Stratford Concert Band picking up silver.
Festival Youth Singers, under the direction of Conductor Rich Sumstad, earned first place finishes in two choir classes — top mixed classical choir 25 years and under, and best jazz choir.
Recordings of the FYS selections were forwarded to the National Music Championships in Nova Scotia, where the choir placed second in the “Barbara Hagerman” (classical) category.
The St. Marys Children’s Choir 14 and under division, conducted by Jacklin Falconer, continued their tradition of excellence, winning silver at the OMFA Provincial finals.
Our festival was well represented in the piano competition, with David Chen leading the charge, earning silver in Grade 9 piano. His teammate Poppy Kipfer achieved Honourable Mention in the same class.
Also receiving Honourable Mentions were Patrick Wilkie and David Manujee at the Diploma level, and Heidi Wall at the prestigious Open Piano level.
The Vocal category included bronze medalists Chloe Weir and Victoria Ozero, and Honorable Mention winners Diana Bryans and Katherine Napiwotzki. Claire Milton also earned Honourable Mention in Grade 8 voice.
Matthew Klassen won a bronze medal in an exciting senior music theatre final, while Chloe Weir, Thomas Murray and Aveleigh Keller earned Honourable Mentions in their respective categories.
A silver medal went to Jessica Wareing for Speech and Drama.
Teammate Sarah Kuchma received Honourable Mention at the intermediate level, while Meghan Landers and Catherine Umolac earned Honourable Mention at the senior level.
In the guitar competition, Daniel Ramjattan (grade 10) and Joanna Gorska (grade 7) earned Honourable Mention in their categories.
Congratulations to all Provincial Finalists!
