Porcupine Music Festival goes virtual this year, giving students a chance to perform despite pandemic
Every year, people who study music through private lessons in the Timmins area get a chance to have live performances adjudicated during the Porcupine Music Festival.
It's an annual showcase that's been going on for decades. However, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers are hosting a virtual festival for the first time.
“Last year was not virtual. We just highlighted their videos that they sent into us on our social media platforms," said Mary Ellen Pauli, president of the Porcupine Music Festival de Musique.
She said there are more than two-hundred entries to this year's 81st festival. Vocal, piano, instrument, and string students were all given an opportunity to prepare, record, and submit videos of their pieces to the Festival's organizers.
Long-time festival participant and now piano teacher, Jessica Kim, said some of her students and her sister are taking part.
“We’re still motivated to perform well and to do well because of the e-festival so the majority of students practiced ... to be proud of what you have and what you present to adjudicators," said Kim.
The submissions will be adjudicated by professional musicians from southern Ontario. Pauli says the feedback helps students grow.
“It’s important for them to have positive and constructive criticism you know in their studies and especially like I say from an outside professional that isn’t maybe their teacher. It’s just a different slant or a different view on how they’re doing.”
Pauli said the adjudicators also award scholarships to top performers and many of those students will be asked to play in a virtual concert that's happening at the end of June.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.