Staff
The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts is continuing to seek financial support for the multitude of awards it hands out each year.
During the annual event, which takes place in April, adjudicators in each division—drama, vocal, piano, and instrumental—keep an eye out for performers who meet the criteria for certain awards.
For instance, there are awards for the most promising vocalist in different age categories, as well as for outstanding achievement in specific piano grades.
In fact, there are more than 50 awards that can be doled out, although not all are presented each year (usually because there were no entries in that particular category).
The performers who are chosen by the adjudicators are asked to perform during the “Highlights” concert at the conclusion of the Festival, at which they are presented with a plaque or trophy engraved with their name.
However, the performers only keep these awards for a year—at which time they return them so they can be presented to the following year’s winner.
Performers do receive a medallion, also engraved with their name and honour, which they can keep.
“Some of these awards have been around for a long time,” noted committee vice-chair Cynthia Donald.
“In fact, we have trophies and plaques that are sponsored by groups and organizations that no longer exist.”
Donald said many of the groups and families that originally sponsored awards purchased the plaque or trophy, but no longer support the award financially on an annual basis.
“The Festival has incurred the cost of engraving the awards year after year,” she explained, noting Festival expenses have gone up and they are looking for a way to balance things out.
“We now have the cost of insurance, a website—things we didn’t have before,” Donald said.
She noted what the committee is looking for is contacts and/or family members associated with the awards who would be willing to contribute annually to aid with the cost of engraving.
Donald suggested a donation of $50 annually would help out, and the contributor’s name would be mentioned at the “Highlights” concert.
“If you know of a family member that belonged to one of the organizations and would like to help with the award, then please let us know,” she urged.
Some of the awards needing financial sponsorship include:
•Bertha Livingstone Award—for the most promising student, spoken poetry (Grades 5, 6, 7 or 8);
•Elks’ Lodge Award—Drama (plays or skits), Elementary level;
•Harper Simmons Award—best Brass solo performer;
•Helen Parris Memorial Award—awarded to the individual string player or string ensemble (may include other instruments, e.g., piano) for outstanding musicality;
•Loyal Orange Lodge #990 Award—best Instrumental solo (other than piano, brass, or woodwind), 16 years and under;
•Overseas Wives Award—Grade 3 Choir;
•Ralph Whetstone Band Trophy—best band;
•Fort Frances Women’s Institute Cup—Grade 5 Choir;
•Lillian Thomas Memorial Award—most promising vocalist, 10 years and under;
•Elfé Forsberg Award—most promising vocalist, 15 or 16 years old;
•McIrvine Women’s Institute Award—outstanding achievement, Method Courses, Level III;
•Emily Louise Austin Award—best piano student, Examination Courses, Grades 7 or 8; and
•Fort Frances Rotary Club Award—best Woodwind solo performer
There are more awards, as well, which can be viewed by visiting www.ff-festival.com/trophies-and-awards
“We would like to keep these awards as the Festival is an historical part of the district, but we need the financial backing,” Donald stressed.
She added the committee also is looking to revamp some of the awards.
As such, if anyone would like to sponsor a new award, or dedicate an award in honour of a loved one, the committee is open to ideas.
For more information, contact Donald at 274-3384 or via e-mail at mrsontario58@gmail.com
