The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts (SCFPA) continues its long tradition of promoting and encouraging local performing artists on the Sunshine Coast by offering a virtual festival this year, in keeping with the times.
The SCFPA takes place April 12 to 30. During these dates, once the performers have submitted their recorded entries, the adjudicators will offer their professional guidance through written and live virtual adjudication. The Highlights Concert featuring the top performers takes place virtually on Sunday, May 2.
“There is a need now, more than ever, to encourage amateurs in our community to enter the festival as part of their journey and ongoing development as performers in music and the arts. The experience offers an avenue to improve their skills through constructive evaluation by an experienced professional in their discipline, other than their teacher,” said Sarah Lowis, president of the SCFPA.
Lowis further explained: “A virtual presentation has the added bonus of making performances even more accessible to the community, family and friends, who can experience the excitement and hard work of the performers from the comfort of their homes, or wherever they happen to be at the time, from around the world, and without the need of travel.”
There are 10 disciplines on offer this year with live virtual adjudication on specific days and times, as listed. The live adjudication for Folk Instrumental, Bowed Strings and Piano will be in a masterclass format. Choir will not be offered due to the pandemic and all dance classes are being offered as part of the Coastal Dance Festival taking place Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25.
On-demand recordings will be available post-event in some cases, should the dates and times not work for those who wish to be part of the audience experience. Registration to watch the on-demand recordings and the Highlights Concert will open in early April.
“Each year we reach out to the community to request financial support,” said Janice Brunson, one of the longest-serving SCFPA board directors, and also the discipline coordinator for Windwoods & Brass / Percussion / Band / Voice and Plucked Strings.
“The community’s generous financial contribution makes it possible for the festival to have high quality adjudication and provide awards and scholarships to outstanding individuals and groups – for which we are most grateful. Many students pursue post-secondary education with financial assistance from the Festival awards.”
Brunson added that, “as a charity, tax deductible receipts are issued for donations. Also, numerous benefits are offered for sponsorship as outlined in the sponsorship section of the website at www.coastfestival.com, and the public is invited to become a member by completing the membership application on the website. The more members the SCFPA has the more chance of receiving grants and funding.”
Performers automatically become members upon registering for the festival, and must register by Monday, March 8 online at the festival website, along with the syllabus, and recording and submission guidelines.
The deadline to submit recorded entries is Monday, April 12.
The festival also provides the opportunity for its most promising young artists between the ages of 10 and 28 to participate in the annual provincial festival. More information is available at www.bcprovincials.com.
Founded in 1973, the SCFPA is the longest running Festival on the Sunshine Coast.
