More than 25 Sea to Sky musically talented youngsters showed off their best at the Howe Sound Music Festival Hi-Lites Concert at St. John the Devine Anglican Church on Sunday (April 18).
Four performers did such a great job professional adjudicators recommended they compete at the provincial musical festival held in Duncan, 小蓝视频 Sunday May 23 to 27.
"This is an exciting thing because it means students can take what they've learned now and move on to the next level. It's great to see kids from the rest of the province who have something in common with you and it's such a fabulous experience just to be immersed in that environment for four or five days," said festival executive director Veronica McPhee.
"It's a wonderful opportunity."
Sam Sherlock will represent the region in the junior vocal classical category, while David Thomson will perform in the junior musical theatre category. Emma Pederson will compete in Duncan in the under 18 years of age musical theatre category and Helena Neudorf will compete in the under 18 piano category.
Howe Sound Performing Arts Association (HSPAA) director Aaron Purdie said he's extremely pleased with the high calibre performances of the local youth.
"The level of musicianship especially from the older kids - it's just amazing. Helena and Emma, they're the top of the heap right now and it's just fantastic to see those kids that have grown up doing Howe Sound Performing Arts stuff."
Some performances were so strong McPhee said the adjudicators recommended sending a couple as observers.
"This year we have a bit of a treat that we have so much talent the adjudicators in both disciplines have decided not only to send the performers but also in some cases to send an observer."
Emma Wong was selected as an observer for the junior vocal classical category and Alex Toews was selected for the 18 years old and under piano category.
"[They] will have the opportunity to go and watch the classes and in some cases participate in another performance," McPhee said.
Neudorf, a Don Ross Secondary School pianist said she's very pleased with her performance and her qualification for the provincial competition. Since the Grade 10 student has performed at the provincial music festival twice before, she said she hopes to do better than she's done previously.
"In Grade 6 I forgot my piece half way through so I had to improvise it, which was fun. The adjudicator noticed, sad to say. Grade 7 was better although I didn't win anything, but I got through it."
Neudorf expects to get nervous before she competes but said it usually helps her performance.
"I enjoy performing but yeah I get nervous. It just gives you that much more awareness which you need."
This is the first year vocalist Thomson has qualified for the provincial competition because he's so young.
"This is the first time I'm actually old enough to go, " said the 13-year-old Mamquam Elementary School student.
"I've worked really hard for it. It's been three years so it's really exciting to finally get that bit of confidence to continue."
In preparation for the provincials, Thomson says he plans to brush up on some dance steps, practice his facial expressions and focus on staying calm.
"I'm excited and a little anxious - not nervous."
Several Hi-Lites Concert Gala competitors received medals for their outstanding performances including: Niki Mariott, Graeme Bowers, Sophia Seidler, Berit Beattie, Caitlyn Goss, Ramona Seidler, Hannah Rizun, Alex Toews, Helena Neudorf, Sam Sherlock, Jamie Sweeney, David Thomson, Ashley Schultheiss and Emma Pederson.
