Carleton County Music Festival prepares for spring event
Preparations are underway to make melodies and memories again at the annual Carleton County Music Festival.
This year is different from others, said executive director Sarah Sharpe.
“We are taking … adjudicators to local schools,” she explained, noting that this will happen for some categories, reducing travel for competitors who would typically compete at the McCain Community Theatre.
String entries will be on April 14 and 15, piano entries will be on April 22 and 23, and voice entries will be on April 24, 25, and 26—all at the McCain Community Theatre.
The festival’s final show, which will be held on the evening of April 29, will celebrate the musicality of Carleton County.
Contestants who had exceptional performances earlier in the month will be invited back to perform at the final concert.
Entry to all performances at the music festival is by donation.
Various awards will be given at this event, including a scholarship for a local student pursuing music studies.
The festival is divided into various categories, such as voice, string, piano, and more, and it has its own classes, which are typically decided by genre.
This year’s festival is set to include over 200 entries, with more than 450 students competing, all from various local schools.
Those students will be using a variety of instruments, such as piano, violin, cello, viola, and more.
Sharpe said the directorial team feels great about this year’s talent pool.
“We are very fortunate to have very talented musicians in Carleton County,” she said, adding that students “never cease to amaze [her with] how talented these young people are.”
