Over 30 Kingston musicians place in provincial competition

Last month, 59 musicians from Kingston joined over 2,300 performers at the Ontario Music Festival Association (OMFA)’s Provincial Competition.

OMFA is the umbrella body for the 42 Community Music Festivals that place in Ontario, including the Kingston Kiwanis Music Festival, which celebrated its 50^th anniversary this year.

According to Elaine Pedlar, OMFA Board Member and Chair of the Kingston Kiwanis Music Festival, OMFA organizes and runs the Provincial Competition, which returned to offering in-person competitions, after running virtually from 2020 to 2022.

“Over the last seven or eight years, Kingston’s Provincial Festival entries have steadily increased from 10 or 12 to the 59 performers we sent this year,” Pedlar explained. “This is partly due to the fact that, before 2020, only performers at level 6 Conservatory of Music and above were eligible for Provincials. Four years ago, during Covid, levels 1 to 5 were added.”

The local Kiwanis Festival was held in February, and adjudicators at the festival recommended their top performers to enter the Provincial competition.

Pedlar noted that being chosen to compete at Provincials is an honour in itself. “Of Kingston competitors, over half placed in the top three or received distinguished or honourable mention this year. We have many talented young musicians in Kingston who are supported by excellent music teachers and encouraging parents, and Provincials is a good way to showcase that talent,” she said.

At the 2023 Provincials, classes were offered in Piano, Instrumental, Voice, and Speech Arts, as well as Musical Theatre, and Popular Music Repertoire. Virtual classes were held for Conservatory music levels 1 through 5, as well as choirs, bands, and ensembles.

The Live Provincial Festival was held in Niagara Falls – St Catherines from June 5 to 10, 2023, for level 6 to ARCT (Associate Diploma — the highest academic standings awarded by The Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program) music, open classes, as well as Music Theatre, and Popular Music.

Clara Moellman received first place at Provincials in diploma ARCT level Upper Strings. “Clara has been recommended in violin for the Provincial Competitions six times since the age of eight, and has earned two Bronze, two Silver and this year her second, first place Gold medal,” Pedlar said.

“We congratulate all of our Provincial competitors.”

Local results of the 2023 Provincial Festival are as follows:

Learn more about OMFA on their website.