Young musicians from across the Interlake delighted music lovers, friends and family during the 42nd annual Evergreen Festival of the Arts Hi-Lites Concert May 9 at the Gimli High School.
The Evergreen Festival of the Arts resumed after a three year hiatus due to COVID.
It went really well according to Krystal Isfeld, Sigurbjorg Stefansson Early School Music Specialist.
The concert showcased the talents of student dancers, singers and poets and musicians from the Evergreen School Division.
Riverton resident Sonja Asmundsson received the Riverton Elks International Music Camp Scholarship of $1,000. Three recipients each received $200 from the Lilja Martin piano scholarships. Access Credit Union, Baker Law, and the Kiwanis each donated $500. Other sponsors donations range from $50 to $300.
“We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors. We couldn’t run the festival without them. We run solely with their donations and a completely volunteer committee,” said Isfeld.
Gifted dancer Molly Avison received the Best Overall Trophy sponsored by Kiwanis sponsor.
Three participants, Adalynn Tupper, Malakai Pelletier and Sonja Asmundsson, were recommended to attend the AMAF Provincial Music and Arts Festival at the University of Manitoba, May 26-28.
Past members May Peiluck and Oli Narfasson, who both passed away recently, were honoured during the concert. Oli was a founding member of the festival 42 years ago and donated substantially to the festival over the years. Oil’s daughter Janice Arnason is still a member of the festival. May was a dedicated festival member for decades. She volunteered hundreds of hours of her time in multiple capacities to help the festival be a success. May’s daughter-in-law, Kara Peiluck (Sobeys Orff Trophy) and granddaughter, Aurora Peiluck (Aurora Peiluck trophy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance) both sponsor awards.
Heather Clarke and Krystal Isfeld welcomed artists, musicians and guests and presented awards and scholarships to the following:
1. ORFF Ensemble: Sigurbjorg Stefansson Early School (SSES) Gr. 3 & 4 “Best Day of My Life” – Sobeys Gimli Trophy and Access Credit Union Award
2. Vocal Solo, 12 and under: Lucia Borkowsky “All Through the Night” – Westshore Singers Plaque and Baker Law Award
3. Solo Spoken Poetry, K – Gr. 4: Sequoia Hardy “My Brother”- Minerva Ladies Aid Plaque
4. Vocal Solo: Sonja Asmundsson “When Sweet Anne Sings” – Riverton Elks International Music Camp Scholarship
5. School Choir, K – Gr. 8: DGJMS Grades 5 & 6 choir “Octopus’ Garden” – Evergreen School Division Plaque and Access Credit Union Award
6. Choral Performance: Riverton and Arborg Collegiate Choir “Death Came a Knockin” – Access Credit Union Plaque and Award
7. Piano Solo, Gr. 1 – 3: Ava Wiebe – R.M. of Gimli Plaque & Lilja Martin Scholarship
8. Solo Spoken Poetry, Gr. 5 and up: Lucia Borkowsky “Fred” – Baker Law Plaque & Award
9. Speech Choir: WBS, Mr. Gibson’s Gr. 5 & 6 class “Casey at the Bat” – Rotary Plaque & Access Credit Union Award
10. Piano Solo, Gr. 4 – 6: Hannah Loewen “Waltz in A Minor” – Lilja Martin Scholarship & Evergreen Festival of the Arts Plaque
11. Vocal Solo, Malakai Pelletier “Mr. Cellophane” – Evergreen Festival of the Arts Music Camp Scholarship
12. Piano Solo, Gr. 1-3: Nate Borkowsky “Robots” – Certificate of Distinction
13. Vocal Ensemble: Riverton Vocal Ensemble “Land of the Silver Birch” – Certificate of Distinction
14. Dance Solo Molly Avison “You There” – Access Credit Union Plaque
15. Piano Solo, Gr. 1-3: Elizabeth Barkman “On The Move” – Certificate of Distinction
16. Vocal Solo: Tyler Schellenberg “My Way” – Aurora Peiluck Trophy
17. Piano: Lovinson Reimer – Romanna Klymkiw Music Studio certificate
18. Instrumental Duet: Milana Kerney and Marley Luckhardt “Aura Lee” – Evergreen Festival of the Arts Trophy
19. Band, Instrumental: Riverton Arborg Senior Band – Merit Award for Band and Access Credit Union Award
20. Band, Instrumental GHS Senior Band – Merit Award for Band and Access Credit Union Award
21. Piano Solo, Gr. 7 and up: Ty Plett – Town of Winnipeg Beach Plaque and the Lilja Martin Scholarship
22. School Dance: AEMS, Gr. 3 & 4, Mrs. Johnston “Gimme That Sunshine” – Access Credit Union Plaque & Award
23. Dance Solo – Sydney Burak “Esmerelda’s Entrance” – Kiwanis Club and District Inc. Dance Scholarship
24. Vocal Solo, 13 years and over: Adalynn Tupper “My Grand Plan” – Oli and Marj Narfason Trophy, St. Michael’s Catholic Women’s League Plaque, Lillian Fridfinnson Memorial Scholarship
25. Vocal Solo, Sacred Victoria Stiglmayr “Panis Angelicus” – Bayview Evangelical Free Church Plaque, Kiwanis Trophy
