Sandhills Music Festival grand concert and awards presentation

By Joan Janzen

The Sandhills Music Festival held their grand concert and 2024 awards presentation on the evening of Thursday, April 25th at Leader. The guests enjoyed the entertainment and applauded the award winners as they received their awards.

Twenty-six talented performances were enjoyed by the crowd in attendance. There was a wide range of talent including speech arts, choirs, piano, percussion, guitar and voice. The ages ranged from the 6 and under category to 16 and under category. In the 10 and under category, Ruby Jenke played guitar and sang “I’ll Always Be Your Friend”, a song she had written.

This group presented excellent performances at the Sandhills Music Festival Grand Concert, Thursday evening, April 25th at Leader. PHOTO BY JOAN WAGNER

This year the festival received a grant from Sask Culture which allowed them to support a youth choir and offer a speech arts coaching and workshop. Thanks to the executive and committee members for all their hard work and dedication. The following is a list of the award winners:

6 years & under:

Best Overall Pre-Novice Speech Arts Competitor: Oliver Hutt. Outstanding Pre-Novice Competitor: Mackenzie Coventry. Adjudicator Open Choice Award: Felix Heatcoat. Medal and entrance award went to: Ava Loudon.

8 years & under:

Outstanding Novice Competitor: Annabelle Heatcoat. The other competitors are: Shelby Ausmus, Cecilia Howes and Kyla Poh.

10 & under:

Outstanding Primary Competitor: Alex Wall. Adjudicator Open Choice Awards received by: Wyler Howes and Ruby Janke. Receiving medals and entrance awards: Gianna Mazicho and Geno Mazicho.

12 & under:

Best Overall Elementary Speech Arts Competitor: Ilke Kruger. Outstanding Elementary Competitor: Jordan Armstrong. Adjudicator Open Choice Award went to: Chloe Meier. The remaining 12 & under performers are: Abby Bredeson, Kaylee Hayward, Mckay Esterhuizen, Kyra Meier and Parker Sellars.

14 years & under:

Best Overall Junior Speech Competitor: Colden Dale. Outstanding Junior Competitor: Allegra Sifert. Performer Olivia Armstrong was unable to attend.

16 & under:

Intermediate Speech Arts Competitor: Bria Sifert. Outstanding Intermediate Competitor: Grady Dale.