By Tara de Ryk
March 29, 2010

"It's a Hard Knock Life" for Mrs. Bowman's musical theatre group who perform the hit song from the musical "Annie".

Long-time executive members (past and present) of the music festival committee were recognized for their years of service. They received a quilted wall hanging made by festival president Nancy Wilkins. The wall hangings bear the message "Thanks from the heart". Pictured are: (from left) Cheryl DeLaet, Sharon Riecken, Lorraine Zoerb, Nancy Wilkins, Lynn McIvor, Jeanine McNabb, Kristine Cool, Fran Stone, Gloria Zdunich, Gwen Allan, Monica Gust and Judi Packet.

DAVIDSON-Nearly 50 years after becoming the first performer of the Central Saskatchewan Music Festival, Debbie Doell took to the stage last Sunday and gave the "Hornpipe" another go.

"Bear with me. I am very, very rusty," Doell forewarned the crowd. "O, This is going to be just like it was 50 years ago, so if I make a mistake think of me like I'm six or seven again."

For her brief piano performance, Doell received a standing ovation.

It was the perfect beginning to the afternoon's 50th anniversary celebration of the Central Saskatchewan Music Festival.

It had begun as it did April 28, 1961 with a young Debbie LePoudre, nerves all aflutter, having to play under pressure.

"I thought I was going to be sick," Doell recalled. "My teacher Mrs. Pringle and my parents told me there was nothing to be scared of and I remember thinking, 'then why don't they do it.'"

She got through it and according to adjudicator Gordon Hancock's report, scored a 78. Mr. Hancock advised her to pick up the tempo.

Debbie stayed with music and competed in subsequent festivals until her last in 1969.

That was the year she reached the pinnacle of her festival career. She had tied for first place with her piano-playing rival Cheryl Tastad of Loreburn.
Debbie says Tastad was a superior piano player and for all those years previously, Debbie was always placing second to Cheryl's first.

After learning she'd tied her rival, Debbie says she phoned her mother who, due to a storm, was unable to get into town to witness her daughter's achievement.

"I was so elated, I ran to the phone to tell my mom and I told her I was never playing in a festival again."
Debbie went out on a high note, but remained active in music, working as a music teacher for many years as well as playing music for weddings and many community events.

Doell is but one example of the impact the festival has had on one individual. After 50 years, the festival's effect is far reaching.

It has given children a goal and incentive to keep practicing and perfecting their musical performances.

"This is a huge accomplishment for a community this size," said Nancy Wilkins, president of the Central Saskatchewan Music Festival Association and organizer of the 50th anniversary celebration. "We are one of the smallest communities to hold a festival."

She said 50 years ago the region was invited to participate in the association of music festivals and the community took up the challenge.

"At the organizational meeting, 60 people were there. That's more than hockey gets," she said.

Wilkins said the 50th anniversary celebration was a time to celebrate, remember and recognize. She acknowledged all those who made the festival possible over the years.

"This afternoon is to recognize everybody who makes sure this festival comes off. The teachers who do take time to prepare students, thank you very much. And to the parents who cajole them into practicing, and the committee volunteers, sponsors and scholarship people...thank you," Wilkins said.

Long-time members of the association's executive were recognized for their years of volunteer service. As well, patrons and scholarship and award donors were also recognized.

Three sponsors have been with the music festival since its beginning: the Davidson Kinsmen, the Davidson Co-op Association and the Loreburn Lions. Other businesses, organizations and individuals have provided support for over 30 and 40 years.

She singled out some of the community's early music teachers whose efforts laid the foundation of musical education in the region.

Some were pioneers arriving in the region during the homesteading era. One of the early teachers was Adelia Matthews who came to the Sprattsville district near Girvin in 1909. She taught music in her district until 1954 when she moved to Davidson at the age of 79 and still continued to teach music.

Another early teacher was Margaret Pringle. Music was a part of her early family life. She studied piano as a child and finished high school and her ARCT at the age of 15, an incredible achievement, Wilkins noted. Pringle moved to Davidson in 1938 and taught many children for decades and played the organ in at least two churches while in Davidson. She moved to Chiliwack, B.C. to be near her two sons and continued to teach until she passed away at the age of 83.

Wilkins also called attention to voice teacher Margaret Boucher.

"She had a big influence on the music festival," Wilkins said. Born in Scotland, Boucher eventually moved to the Davidson area and taught at Lothian School northeast of Davidson. She had numerous children singing and established a boys' choir called the Meadowlarks that had 33 members.

"Margaret Pringle, Margaret Boucher and Peggy Zeman, they were the pioneers of this festival," Wilkins said.

Other long-time teachers she noted were Isabelle Birch who taught for 60 years in the Elbow area.

"There are years, I'm told, this festival couldn't have gone on if it wasn't for Mrs. Birch's students. The district concept was very important."

In the other direction, along Highway 2, Winnie Scott of Imperial was also influential in the musical education of children in that area.

There were many others who were mentioned such as Carole Edwards and Lynn McIvor. If any were neglected, it wasn't intentional. Fifty years is a long time and Wilkins is relatively new to the community but has embraced the music festival association and its history.

She spent the winter researching and writing the festival's history. If anyone has more information that will help complete the history, she welcomes their addition.

Wilkins' efforts were acknowledged, particularly for the thoughtful "Thanks from the heart" wall hangings Wilkins made for long-time members of the festival association's executive.

The leaderonline is a division of The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada.