NEWS RELEASE
PORCUPINE MUSIC FESTIVAL
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The Porcupine Music Festival de Musique (PMFM) is ready to kick off its 79th annual festival with just over 500 entries.
Beginning March 26, the festival comprises a nearly two-week long competition that hosts music students from our local community. The festival culminates in a final student-featured concert where benefactor scholarships and trophy presentations, including the prestigious Rose Bowl, are awarded.
“Every year, the festival sees submissions across various disciplines of music comprising instrumental, string, piano and voice with both solo and group entries,” said Mary Ellen Pauli, president of the PMFM. “The festival is open to any amateur musician wishing to perform for adjudication and to further their music education.”
The festival is structured to allow students to perform their pieces in front of a professional adjudicator, who brings a different perspective and provides constructive critique into the performer's technique, quality, and interpretation.
The adjudicated performances are open to the public and will be held at Covenant United Church, Timmins Pentecostal Church and William Dawson Auditorium, Timmins High and Vocational School.
This year’s adjudicators feature renowned musicians in their respective disciplines:
- Mary-Elizabeth Brown, strings;
- Rick Humphrey, instrumental;
- Dr. Karin Di Bella, piano; and
- Eric Shaw, vocal.
“The Festival is truly a community effort and owes its ongoing success to the hard work and dedication of all those involved. The many volunteers, teachers, parents, scholarship donors and benefactors, and the energetic committee members who devote their time to support and promote music in our community all share in its accomplishments,” said Pauli.
Results will be posted daily on the festival website for those looking to stay current with the performers and their scores. A copy of the festival program, including the performance schedule, is also available on the website.
The public is welcome to attend the final concert which will be held at the William Dawson Auditorium, Timmins High and Vocational School on Sunday April 7 beginning at 2 p.m.
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