Lewisporte area provided many Stars of the Festival

Lewisporte - Again this year Lewisporte left a lasting impression at the Kiwanis Music Festival in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Students from both Lewisporte Collegiate and Lewisporte Academy wowed the adjudicators and the audience as they once again put off top-notch performances under the direction of Lindy Whitt. In fact both schools stole the show in all they participated in.

"As a teacher I am very pleased at the level at which the students performed again this year," said Mr. Whitt. "We just hope that it will continue on in the future and that music is a very important part of our school curriculum and that students will continue to be part of the music program at Lewisporte Academy and then continue on at Lewisporte Collegiate."

Students from Lewisporte have a history of doing well at Kiwanis. You might think that this would make it easier on the students and the teacher but Mr. Whitt said the opposite is true.

"This is actually my 17th year here in Lewisporte and we have gone every year and have fairly consistently have done well in the festival," he said.

Mr. Whitt said that sometimes when Lewisporte's bands are going on stage, parents and those who are helping out with the festival will say is Lewisporte on now, they are going to do well.

"It is almost like an expectation. Sometimes as a music teacher I feel the pressure to maintain the same standards of performance year after year," said Mr. Whitt.

The music teacher said it isn't only the expectations from parents, he admits he sets high levels of expectations for himself as well.

"I want the groups to be able to maintain that same level of performance, but it is a little more difficult now, " he said. "Enrollment in our schools are dropping down and students are continually moving out of the school and moving on and there are more options in the curriculum now so more choices for the students means that sometimes you may have less students choosing to study music in the school."

Mr. Whitt is appreciative of the administration at the schools for all the support they give to him during the Kiwanis music festival each year.

"It involves a lot of people and I would just like to express my thanks to the administrators and the parents and the fellow teachers on staff for being so supportive - it is all important," he said.

Lewisporte Academy

Lewisporte Academy had four groups participate in this year's festival - Grade 6 beginner band, Grade 7 and 8 Band, Grade 7-9 Wind Ensemble and the Lewisporte Academy Junior Lynx Jazz Band.

Mr. Whitt explained that the Grade 6 Beginner Band was a non-competitive category.

"They just went in and performed two pieces," explained the teacher. "The adjudicator had very positive comments about their performance and complimented them on the overall tone and their musicianship."

The Grade 7 and 8 Band performed two pieces at the festival, which earned them a gold standard.

The Grade 7-9 Wind Ensemble performed in the Level II band class which is up to, and including, Grade 9 students. The group also performed two selections for the adjudicators and were awarded with a silver standing.

The Lewisporte Academy Junior Lynx Jazz Band also performed two selections for the adjudicators and the audience at the Kiwanis Music Festival.

"They received a gold standard for their performance," said Mr. Whitt.

But their winning didn't stop there.

This is the first year they had a Junior Rose Bowl Competition for groups - previously there were only individual junior and senior rose bowls. Maxine Stanley, who directs the Bell Canto Singers, created this award in memory of her husband Harold Stanley who passed away last year. It is a group award and you have to be nominated by the adjudicator to play for this award. All the adjudicators come in and listen to the group play.

"We did that Friday afternoon," explained Mr. Whitt. "On Saturday night the Lewisporte Academy Junior Lynx Jazz Band won the Harold Stanley Memorial Rose Bowl for the best overall group performance."

Lewisporte Collegiate

At Lewisporte Collegiate there were three groups that competed at the festival -

The Senior Concert Band played two selections in a Level III band class. Their performance earned them a gold standard with the judges.

"I was just really impressed with the group they were very solid and I heard so many positive comments," said Mr. Whitt. "They just had a phenomenal performance. They returned Friday night to perform in the Stars of the Festival and of Saturday night they won the Allophones Hennessey Memorial Award for the best performance by a concert band."

Lewisporte Collegiate's Jazz Band also performed at the festival and received a gold standard for their performance.

The High School Choir received first place in that category with a mark of 85 per cent.

Individual performances

There were a number of individuals from the Lewisporte area who performed solo pieces at the Kiwanis Music Festival. Two of these individuals brought home some of the most prestigious awards presented at an individual level.

Andrew Gale has been playing the piano for the past 10 years - since he was four - with this being his sixth year at Kiwanis. Andrew plays under the direction of his music teacher Lindy Whitt.

Andrew was no stranger to the stage as the awards were being presented.

"I won the Hennessey Memorial Rose Bowl Award which came with $100 and I won the VOCM Award which was $50 for participating in the Rose Bowl Award," explained Andrew. "I won a plaque for the best piece by a Canadian Composer 14 and under and best modern and impressional piece 12 years and older."

Andrew said when his name was announced as the winner of the Rose Bowl he was quite surprised.

This isn't Andrew's first year bringing home awards from the Kiwanis festival in Grand Falls-Windsor. He thinks highly of the music festival.

"I think it's great because there are lots of opportunities to get noticed," said Andrew.

In addition to his solo performances, Andrew was also busy in the weeks leading up to the Kiwanis Music festival practicing with the Lewisporte Academy Jazz Band of which he is also a member.

Andrews sister Sacha and Chloe are also both regulars at the festival.

Riley Stairs

Riley Stairs has been a familiar name at Kiwanis in Grand Falls-Windsor since 2003. Since that time he has been wowing audiences with his talent with respect to the piano.

"The major awards are the Bernice Edwards Memorial Award for the best piano performance of the festival and also the Cater Memorial Rose Bowl for best solo performance senior division," said Riley.

Riley said winning these awards is quite an accomplishment.

"It is pretty good, honouring I guess," said Riley.

Riley also won awards for the best performance in the categories of Concert Group Concerto and complete Major Solo works 12 years and over; Modern and Impressionist Music 15 years and over; Quick Study 15 years and over; Romantic Music 15 years and over; and the Steele Communications Award.

Riley began his piano instruction with Kelly Richards in California before moving to Newfoundland in 2000 when he began studying under John Morris until 2006 when he began studying under Natasha Roth in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Riley's interest in the piano goes beyond playing, he is currently studying piano technology - tuning, regulating, rebuilding, and servicing pianos.

"I am currently doing an apprenticeship in that now with Newfound Pianos in Harbour Main," said Riley.