The successful Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts wrapped up last weekend with the well-attended festival highlights concert at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt.
During the festival's three-week period, each participant performed for evaluation by an off-Coast adjudicator. President Norma Mercer said more than 450 adjudications took place with some individuals earning more than one trophy or award.
Last Sunday's concert was emceed by Kerry Mahlman.
"[Mahlman] added some of her thoughts about the importance of the arts in our lives, and also a personal touch because, through her work as a teacher, she knew many of the participants," Mercer said.
The works ranged from classical through traditional folk and show tunes including a dance number. Most of the audience stayed afterwards to watch the many distinctions being awarded.
"It was an outstanding show of support, especially for the young people in the show," Mercer added.
At a previous piano encore concert held at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre on April 25, some of the pianists had already accepted their honours. The recital opened with the youngest pianist, Nadia Betji, being applauded under a new category of honours, most promising introductory. Talia Strang, who performed a Brahms waltz, received several awards including two scholarship cash awards and a trophy, while Kiel Strang won the Ken Dalgleish own composition award for his original work entitled Orange Ostinato.
The brother and sister team of Anneka and Liam Bonser performed the Idylle for flute and piano, while Justin Crosby and Karl Petersohn showed their skill on a duet. In the adjudicator's choice most promising award, the senior award went to Oliver Gidora, the junior to Alex Toigo and the intermediate to Spencer Wilson.
The full award list is too lengthy for publication, but will be posted on the festival's website at a later date at www.coastfestival.com.
