The 100 Mile Festival of the Arts Student Recital returns to Martin Exeter Hall on Jan 21.
The amateur recital will see students of any age and skill level take to the stage to sing, play an instrument, speak or dance.
“Students want to sign up, it’s basically we give them a recital in order to have a chance to try their pieces out one way or the other, piano or singing or whatever, in the concert hall,” said Ginny-Lou Alexander, president of 100 Mile Festival of the Arts.
As dance is in the festival this year Alexander said there will likely be dance performances in the recital as well.
Not everyone who enters the recital will take part in the festival later in the year but Alexander said many will use the recital as a way to get some experience performing in front of a crowd before the big day.
Practicing is a lonely existence, said Alexander. “You need to be in a group sometimes or even these recitals are good because people get to hear other people.”
“We’re not open to people that are even semi-professional that aren’t taking lessons, you know, that’s not the purpose of it,” said Alexander. “No, the purpose is for students who wish to try their stuff out or play the grand piano, who doesn’t want a chance to do that?”
Rowyn Page, 10, took the stage to play Mary Had a Little Lamb and Old MacDonald Had a Farm at the 2023 recital. When Alexander announced him, she made note that prior to the day of the recital, the young man had only taken two piano lessons.
“I’m a firm believer the more times you play it in public, whether you do a good job or not, it doesn’t matter, you work out the kinks,” Alexander told the Free Press in an earlier conversation.
The recital takes place at the Martin Exeter Hall at 2 p.m. on Jan. 21. Admission is by donation. Anyone looking for more information or who would like to sign their child up to perform can reach out to Ginny-Lou Alexander at 250-395-3555. She encourages the public to come out and support the performers.
The 100 Mile Festival of the Arts takes place April 10-19 with the showcase concert happening on April 20. Students recommended to attend the provincial festival will travel to Fort St. John from June 2-6.