Festival opens with band and strings performers

By Kelly Waters Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival

The opening classes for the 2023 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival are band and strings scheduled March 13 to 16.

This year’s instrumental adjudicator is Daryl McKinnon. McKinnon is currently the director of the Moose Jaw Adult Concert Band. Since 1982, he has taught guitar, vocal jazz, chamber choir, concert choir, musicals, concert band, jazz band and small ensemble band. He holds a B. Mus. Ed. (voice) from the University of Regina, a Diploma of Fine Arts (wind en- semble repertoire) from the University of Calgary and he has also taken after degree courses in conducting from the University of Alberta.

He has participated in many professional development opportunities, including several years at the Canadian Rocky Mountain Music Festival at Banff in the teacher development program. He has served on several cultural boards. He has been a regional director for the Saskatchewan Music Educators’ Association, a member at large for the Saskatchewan Band Association, the president of a local Saskatchewan Music Festival and a board mem- ber of the Saskatchewan Choral Federation.

McKinnon served on the local board (Moose Jaw) of the Western Canadian Music awards in relation to the career development day and as a board member of the Moose Jaw Kinsmen International Band and Choral Festival.

For budding visual artists, the festival committee welcomes youth 18 years old and younger in the Battlefords area to enter the annual musical image drawing contest. Selected pieces will be featured in the festival program and in the Festival venues. One entry will be chosen as the winner with the artist being recognized. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 26th. Submissions are to be directed to Battleford Central School attn: Lindsay Charabin, Box 400. Battleford, S0M 0E0. Though any music theme is considered, the committee is encouraging the theme this year of “Music Lifts Us Up,” Artwork submitted should be on letter-size white paper using a medium of choice, but should have a white background. All artists must print their full name, phone number, school and grade on the back of their entry so their work can be considered for display. All submissions become the property of the Battlefords Music Festival and may not be returned.

Live streaming of festival sessions is offered again this year, Students invited to perform at the final gala and awards ceremony will again have the opportunity to bring their talent to the world class stage at the Dekker Centre.

The 2023 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival is scheduled to run from March 13 - March 25. Band, instrumental and strings are scheduled from March 13-16 using the Kinsmen Band Hall and the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Lecture Theatre as performance venues. Voice, spoken word, musical the- atre and piano is schedules from March 20 - 25 utilizing the Sanctuary and Logie Hall of Third Avenue United Church.

“When something is bothering me, I write a song that tells my feelings.

To write a song, I write about me a lot. And, ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter,’ I sat down on the back porch of the old home place and just looked up the hill and started—’ Well, I was born a coal miner’s daughter’— and I wrote the song. It’s like writing a poem and, you know, no big deal. When you’re hungry, you can find that you can do a lot of things that you didn’t know you could do”- Loretta Lynn (1932 - 2022)

5 Types Of Exercise That Boost Heart Health

Heart disease affects approximately 2.4 million Canadian adults. February is Heart Month in Canada, the perfect time to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular health. Did you know exercise is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart disease? Here are five types of exercise to improve your heart health.

The risk factors and symptoms of heart failure

Did you know that approximately 600,000 Canadians live with heart failure? This February, in honour of Heart Month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation is focusing its efforts on raising awareness about this condition. Here’s what you should know.

RISK FACTORS

Heart failure is a condition that develops after the heart becomes damaged or weakened. The term doesn’t mean the heart has failed or stopped working. Rather, it refers to a heart that works inefficiently and doesn’t pump blood as well as it should.

This condition often affects people with high blood pressure or who’ve had a heart attack. However, several other conditions and lifestyle habits are linked to heart failure, including:

• Heart valve disease

• Myocarditis

• Drug and alcohol abuse

• Obesity

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

In addition, individuals who are 65 and older have an increased risk of being diagnosed with heart failure because aging can weaken and stiffen the heart.

SYMPTOMS The most common signs of heart failure include:

• Difficulty breathing, especially when lying down

• Rapid weight gain (two kilograms or more in less than a week)

• Bloating or a feeling of fullness

• Severe fatigue

• Changes in appetite

• Swelling in the abdomen, feet, ankles, legs and lower spine

• Increased urge to urinate overnight Visit your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.

For more information, visit heartandstroke.ca

1. Brisk walking is a great way to increase energy levels, reduce cholesterol and strengthen your heart. Moreover, it’s easier on your joints than other types of exercise like running.

2. Weight training builds lean muscle mass, which can help you burn more calories at rest, and in turn, help you maintain a healthy weight. It also reduces pericardial adipose tissue, a type of fat around the heart.

3. Cycling is an excellent aerobic exercise that helps im prove your balance and coordination. It also strengthens the heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels.

4. Yoga increases strength and flexibility and promotes relaxation and mindfulness. This helps relieve stress and reduce blood pressure.

5. Swimming is a full-body workout that’s good for your heart and trains the body to use oxygen more efficiently. Swimming is also low impact, so it’s a good activity for people of all ages and those with arthritis or joint pain.

Finally, the most important thing is to find an activity you enjoy and can integrate into your lifestyle. Aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity. Consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program.