The St. Thomas Rotary Music Festival for 2019 came to a spectacular close with its Keynotes Concert April 5. This was under the overall direction of Gerald Vreman as Chairman of the Music Festival Committee.

Featured were the Public School Grade 1 & 2 choir from Aylmer showing well in bright red shirts and leading in O Canada and an Intermediate choir from John Wise Public School who sang their winning Hallelujah.

Individual performers thrilled the packed auditorium with piano, vocal and instrumental presentations. These were Sandra Huang (piano) Maggie Yurek (vocal), Madison Carrick (flute), Sydney Barrett (Bass Clarinet), Levi Redekop (piano), Haley Clark (vocal),  Mimi Zhang (piano), Alexandria Pearce (vocal). Kevin Alexander capped the wonderful evening with piano numbers by Brahms and Listz.  He captured both the Silver Tray and the Stephanie Leung scholarship and trophy. 

Fifty-Five scholarships were awarded.  It was wonderful to see so many young people accepting these.  Presenters commented on the value of music festivals, and the need to encourage more young people into all the varied music fields open to them for festival growth.  The St. Thomas festival welcomes students from the surrounding areas of Elgin and Middlesex and is opening the way for advancement to the higher levels of provincial competition

The Rotary Music Festival Keynotes Concert celebrated 64 years, showcased some amazing local talent and announced an exciting new initiative which will provide new opportunities for young performers.

 The Rotary Music  Festival, ended Friday March 2 with the final competitions once again showcasing fine local talent. Shown above are are Alexander Friesen, Aylmer,  Silver tray award; Katrina Wohlgemut Dorchester, Stephanie Leung award; Rachel Ginther, St. Thomas, Rose Bowl for vocal.
 
The Keynotes Keynotes Concert will take place on Friday April 6th, 7pm at the Salvation Army. All are welcome with admission by goodwill donation.

Sinbad the Sailor opened Thursday Dec 7th at the Princess Ave Playhouse with a huge cast, including waves of children and young adults brimming with enthusiasm. The show includes a wonderful variety of visuals, pace, and colour.  From music to set to lighting the audience is taken on a high seas adventure!

A great community effort on the part of director, actors, and crew brought Peter Pan to the WEDS stage, for preview night on November 30th.

Elgin County Railway Museum presented the St. Thomas "Calamity City" Haunted Walk on the evenings of October 6th and 7th. The walks led several groups along a downtown path from the Railway Museum to the Princess Ave Playhouse where they learned a little of St. Thomas' railway history, including the story behind a tragic accident in 1887. Coordinated by Lori and Doug Sands, restless spirits with stories to tell made appearances along the way - they were played by several volunteers from the Elgin County Railway Museum and the Elgin Theatre Guild.

The final Quai du Vin summer music event for 2017 brought in another sell-out crowd grooving under sunny skies to the tunes of the fifties and sixties. Photos from the day below ...

Quai du Vin kicked off their "Summer Sounds Delicious" music series with a crowd-pleasing sold-out Motown Memories on Sunday July 9th.

St. Thomas, Ontario - Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages...tickets are on sale now for the Canadian Swiss Dream Circus! Taking place over two weekends in August, the Circus will be sure to amaze the young and the young at heart, with acts from around the world aimed to astound and excite.