Area residents have been able to enjoy listening to 108 Mile Ranch pianist Anna Betuzzi, who is preparing to take her Grade 10 level piano and Associate Diploma test, at two recent house concerts and a concert at the Cariboo Christian Life Fellowship (CCLF) church on Jan. 17.
The first house concert was hosted by Anna’s teacher Ginny-Lou Alexander at the 108 Mile Ranch on Dec. 27.
The second concert was hosted by Marilyn Buyar in Lac la Hache on Jan. 10, and the final concert at the CCLF was hosted by Karen Fahrentholz.
Buyar says the concert at her home was a relaxing way to spend a winter afternoon.
“Anna took us on a journey from the Baroque era through the 21st Century with her musical performances of several piano compositions.”
Buyar adds the presentation was augmented by Anna's explanations about each piece so the audience was prepared for specific musical elements in each piece.
“Anna's talent and hard work shone through, as did her joy in performance for the appreciative audience.”
Prior to the performances, Anna noted if people wanted to make donations, the money would go to the Key-It-Up Fund for a new piano at Martin Exeter Hall.
The Key-It-Up committee’s goal is to raise $30,000, a minimum to secure a quality piano for use by the 100 Mile Festival of the Arts participants during the annual adjudication event and Showcase Performance, as well as for visiting performers.
Since the committee kicked off its campaign in November 2014, it has raised $25,525.
Buyar says the funds have come from a wide variety of sources:
• Several very generous arts-minded individuals in the South Cariboo;
• Local businesses and organizations;
• Grants from The McLean Foundation, Royal Bank of Canada, TELUS and The Hamber Foundation (a complete list of donors is listed on the festival website at www.100milefestivalofthearts.ca);
• Fundraising initiatives, such as hotdog and T-shirt sales; and
• A cash raffle draw through Lottery BC.
Buyar, who is vice-president of the 100 Mile Festival of the Arts Committee, notes they have also had some donations from unexpected sources:
• A young student – Anna Betuzzi – performed at some house concerts and requested donations go to Key-It-Up; and
• A community member helped a neighbour with repairs, and when the neighbour insisted on paying his reluctant friend, they agreed on a compromise, and donated the money to Key-It-Up.
Buyar says the Key-It-Up Committee is hopeful it can have a piano on the stage for the annual Festival of the Arts on April 18-29, and save the money the committee would otherwise have to spend to rent a piano.
“We are committed to continuing our support of performing artists in our community and we are excited to be so close to our goal.
“We are looking for support from businesses, organizations and individuals who may have considered donating but have not yet done so.”
More information is available on the festival website (www.100milefestivalofthearts.ca), which has a donation option through PayPal at the bottom of the home page.
The 100 Mile Festival of the Arts is a registered charity, and tax receipts will be issued for all donations of $20 or more.