After three years of hosting virtual events, the Orillia Kiwanis Music Festival is returning to an in-person format.
The 65th annual festival, taking place March 20 to April 6, will allow local music students to hone their skills and perform in a live setting in front of their peers, explains festival president Don Haskins.
“They will have a chance to be judged by an expert in their field,” he said. “It’s a non-competitive festival that we feel is great for everybody to participate in.”
Feedback given by adjudicators helps the musicians to grow, Haskins says. While the festival is mainly for youth, people of all ages can participate.
“We do have some participants who have participated for many years,” he said. “It’s good to see them come back year after year.”
Despite the challenges that came with running virtual festivals over the past few years, Haskins says the festival was a success during the peak of the pandemic. However, participationwas down from previous years.
“Some people aren’t as comfortable with the technology side of things,” he said. “Even though everybody gets nervous, I think they still like the excitement of performing in front of peers, family and the adjudicator.”
The return of the in-person festival allows musicians to meet others who share the same passion.
“It brings out a certain camaraderie among the musicians,” Haskins said. “They like to see each other performing and they cheer each other on.”
Donations are welcome as the festival returns to an in-person format.
“We are thankful for the donations that we do get here and there,” Haskins said. “They do help pay for some of the running of the festival and some of the awards that we are able to hand out, like bursaries.”
The festival is also in need of volunteers this year.
“We didn’t need many over the last few years, of course,” Haskins said. “We need people for setup and tear-down at St. Paul’s Centre, for manning the door, for handing out programs, and for helping to run each class and the adjudicator.”
Registration for individuals is open until Jan. 31. For schools, registration is open until Feb. 15. More information about the festival, including registration and volunteer opportunities, can be found here.
“We want as many people as possible to come out to enjoy it,” Haskins said. “The public is welcome to come to St. Paul’s to watch any of the classes.”
