Wendy Brook Music Festival 44th Annual Concert of the Stars

Wendy Brook Music Festival 44th Annual Concert of the Stars

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

The Wendy Brook Music Festival 44th Annual Concert of the Stars was presented at A.L. Horton School on March 21.

The selection of music ranged from Ukrainian, musical theatre, piano, violin, speech arts, solo, duet, and vocal groups.

This concert presented some of the distinguish performers from the festival which included: Debbie Fedoruk, A.L. Horton School Ukrainian Language and Culture Grades One and Two Class, Joshua Fried, Mary Katherine Prestash, Daisy Giesbrecht, A.L. Horton School Grade Three Class, Joe Miller, Amie Weleschuk and Emily Wiebe, Ruth and Clara Derow, Roman Kirk, Julia Dolejsi, Kristina Nahnieieva, Miya Burghardt, A.L. Horton School Ukrainian Language and Culture Grades Three and Four and Five and Six Classes, Callina Artymko, Lochlan Kirk, and Roman Kirk, Maxim Rudyk, St. Martin’s Catholic School Grade Six Class, Damaria, Elena, and Lochlan Kirk, Campbell Prestash, Carmen Bruce, Jerilyn Gabruck and Laura Lillies.

Mary Katherine Prestash performs.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Amie Weleschuk and Emily Wiebe perform.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

The audience cheered and issued a rapturous applause after each performance.

Viola Braun Fox who has been involved with the Wendy Brook Music Festival since it started in 1979, emceed this event.

Ruth and Clara Derow perform.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Fox gave a tribute to the late Anna Tomyn who recently passed away and was on the committee, as well as, volunteered as the President for a few years. “Anna was also involved with Perogies and Jam.”

Fox went on to say that someone else in Vegreville had a vision to give children in Vegreville an opportunity to participate in a music festival. This person was the Founder of the Wendy Brook Music Festival Li Giebelhaus. “It is with sadness and with a deep sense of appreciation that we are so thankful that Li had this dream and was able to convince others to have it.”

Kristina Nahnieieva performs.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Li Giebelhaus’ daughter, Debra Giebelhaus-Maloney said, “My mom’s vision was the arts shouldn’t be a competition but it should be full of joy! My mother always said that everyone deserves equal opportunity. On behalf of my mother, I would like to say that she is smiling down and wants to say thank you to all of you.”