9th annual Drayton Kinsmen Music Festival a success

The Drayton Kinsmen Music Festival was once again held on Easter Monday at the Drayton Reformed Church.

The church was a flurry of activity as competitors performed in 38 classes throughout the day at the 9th annual festival.

Fans and participants seemed equally pleased and grateful to the adjudicators.  Tania Vroenhoven joined the festival from Hamilton and Luca Gagliano made the trip from Toronto.

Some highlights of the festival included renditions of classical and contemporary piano pieces, performances in the new self-accompaniment vocal class, combinations of duets and ensembles, and what officials called the most exceptional vocal classes ever seen at the Drayton festival.

Vocal performances included everything from the traditional conservatory pieces and Broadway songs to Adele tunes and a Neil Young tribute.

Organizers would like to thank the festival sponsors the Drayton Kinsmen -  including Bruce Schieck, Cathy Payne and Helen Moore - as well as the Drayton School of Music.

The festival committee is also grateful to the volunteers, including Alida Hesselink, Anita Kline, Pat Record, MaryLynn Woods, Helen Moore, Corrie Kline, Rachel VanAnkum and Drew Moore.

The following participants earned $25 bursaries as determined by the adjudicators:

- guitar method:  Daniel Keunen;

- guitar tab: Nathan McColl;

- vocals: Hayley Goreski and  Jack Riehl;

- duets and ensembles:  Noah Schieck and Wes Schieck and Heidi Frey, Breanna Frey and Vicki Gingrich;

- self-accompaniment:  Taylor Moore;

- violin: Paige Cave-Brown-Cave;

- original composition:  Amber Cowan;

- junior selection-based piano: Jessa Huberts;

- junior open piano:  Abby Benyair and Francis McKnight,;

- intermediate selection-based piano:  Mikaela Dagelinckx and Shaelynn Thompson;

- intermediate open piano:   Amber Cowan, Cassandra Hesselink and Alina Kehl; and

- senior piano:  Rachelle Weber.

A full list of festival results is posted at the Drayton School of Music. The 10th annual Drayton Kinsmen Music Festival is set for April 1, 2013.