PREECEVILLE — The countdown for the Parkland Music Festival, to be held in Preeceville and Sturgis April 20-26, has begun, with a significant increase in entries and donations compared to when the festival was last hosted in Preeceville and Sturgis in 2024.
The Music Festival committee, chaired by Anna Russell, met at Trinity United Church in Preeceville. The meeting heard that in 2024 there were 111 entries, and in 2026, 148 entries were received. Entries include four in the spoken word category, six in vocal, two in musical theatre, 104 in piano, five in bands (KCI-Kamsack beginner and senior bands, GSSD junior and senior bands, GSSD Parkland Jazz Ensemble), 22 instrumental solos, and five ensembles/duets.
The committee was also informed that 39 individuals, community and church organizations, plus businesses, have donated toward the cost of the festival, including the many scholarships that are awarded by the adjudicators. This was a significant increase in the number of donors and donations, for which the committee was very grateful.
As a result of the generous donations from the community, the committee decided to make available $2,000 to be awarded as scholarships.
Trinity United Church in Preeceville will be the site for piano and vocal entries. Grace United in Sturgis will be the location for individual instrumental solos and ensembles. The school band entries, percussion solos and ensembles will be held at the Sturgis Composite School.
Preparations for the festival include hundreds of details. Members of the Music Festival Committee made plans for tasks such as advertising, preparing marking sheets for the adjudicators, as well as preparing scholarship certificates to be presented at the festival.
Many volunteers are needed, including greeters at the door, those looking after coffee, juice and snack breaks during the week, making the “goodies” to be served during breaks, and acting as adjudicator’s assistant for each of the sessions, as well as other tasks. The committee was very grateful for the many from area communities who have already volunteered to help.
The committee began initial preparations for the final awards concert on Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m. at Trinity United Church in Preeceville. The awards concert showcases a variety of performances held during the week, presents scholarships, and acknowledges the many patrons who have financially supported the Music Festival.
The Music Festival committee reaffirmed its decision to charge $10 for a paper copy of the program, which lists all performers and their musical entries. The purchase of the program also gives admission to all sessions throughout the week. It was decided that those wishing to attend a session but not wishing to purchase a paper program will be asked for a freewill donation.
The final awards concert will have a freewill offering at the door for admission, and there will be refreshments served at the conclusion of the concert.
The details of preparing the times and dates for each performer to perform were being finalized. The details concerning when performers perform and what they are performing will be sent to each adjudicator for approval, as well as the provincial Saskatchewan Music Festival Association, which has final say on the week-long event’s program.
Many details were also being worked on in preparation for welcoming and hosting the two adjudicators: Cherith Alexander from Weyburn for piano and vocal, and Nick Fanner from Saskatoon for band and instrumental.
The committee plans several “work bees” to complete forms and do other preparation tasks in the next month but is pleased by the increased participation and support for the festival from the many communities surrounding Preeceville and Sturgis, including Endeavour, Stenen, Canora, Kamsack, Norquay, Invermay and districts.
