More than 300 competitors expected for the first time in 'a few years'

A long-running February feature is tuning up for its yearly return to our town.

And this year, the St. Thomas Music Festival is a going – and growing – concern.

“Registrations are up over 300 for the first time in a few years,” says veteran festival volunteer Frank Exley.ac

Four churches and Central Elgin Collegiate Institute are the venues for this year’s festival.

Competition begins Feb. 23 with piano classes at Central United Church, and orchestra/strings classes at St. Thomas Christian Church, and continues through the week.

There are also classes in voice, choral, school and community ensembles, and brass/woodwind. Also hosting are Knox Presbyterian Church and St. Thomas Christian Church.

The festival’s major awards competition of top-notch talent is set for 7 p.m. on Feb. 27, with scholarships ranging from $300 to $1,000. Last year, festival winners earned scholarships totalling around $12,000.

Prizes are presented at the festival’s wrap-up Keynotes Concert, slated for March 27 this year at Central United Church.

Donations at the door for the two evenings support festival operations.

Chaired a third year by Sherry Graham, the music festival’s organizing committee is an extension of St. Thomas Christian Church, which stepped forward after St. Thomas Rotary ended its long-running sponsorship.

“I look forward to my third year as chairperson of a festival that has served the community for 71 years,” she is quoted.

“We are confident that our festival, supported by its hard-working volunteers, will continue to adapt to the ever-changing musical landscape and provide opportunities for competition and performance to musicians of all ages.”

Sherry notes, in particular, that the rising cost of school bus transportation has become a barrier for some student competitors, a valued part of the festival.

”To address this, we are working to ensure that music teachers entering school choirs, bands and groups in our competition are aware of the bursaries and........

© Sarnia Observer