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Speech Arts inspiring for all age

The Speech Arts section of the Cariboo Festival took place April 7 at the Studio Theatre in Glendale elementary.

Michelle Erlandson

Special to The Tribune

 

The Speech Arts section of the Cariboo Festival took place April 7 at the Studio Theatre in Glendale elementary. 

The director of this section, Mary Noble, knows what it takes to enter this discipline since she too has been a participant. She performed from ages 13-18.

Noble says this discipline teaches one to communicate with an audience and mentioned that this skill is helpful in many areas.

Speech Arts is not just for the young. As I sat and heard the adjudicator, Ginny-Lou Alexander, speak to some entrants I saw that some were in their retired years.

Ginny-Lou complimented this dedication and encouraged others to practice in this discipline as long as one can. Keeping the brain active through activities such as speech arts is one way to keep one’s cognitive skills alive and well.

I also heard choral groups perform from various local elementary schools. This was amazing! 

To hear 20-plus children recite a written work in unison, with timed solo parts and dramatic expression was exciting. 

Consonants were clear and lines totally articulated with energy. Very inspiring!

My thanks goes out to Noble who organized this event. Ruth Mazurkiewicz was also on hand to help. 

She put in efforts to put the program together and helped with other preparations for this event. Mazurkiewicz is a retired teacher who has been encouraged by other former teachers to volunteer with the festival committee.