Letters to the editor

Music program displays high level of talent

On Friday, April 16, I was privileged to be able to share a wonderful experience with some of the talented Bigfork High School vocal music students who participated in the District Music Festival in Whitefish. It was especially rewarding to listen to the positive feedback the Bigfork choir received from the adjudicator after their performance, for which they earned a superior rating. Later in the evening I was able to listen to the various soloists and ensembles and hear the encouraging comments of the judges, as each of the students performed their prepared pieces.

As a former vocal music instructor for Bigfork School District 38, I have great respect and appreciation for the extra time and effort involved in preparing for the District Music Festival competition. Choir director Mary Blinn and the dedicated members of the various school ensembles have spent an incredible number of hours before school, in class, during lunch and after school getting ready for the festival. I am especially impressed with these students for their choice to prepare a solo for festival, when they knew that there was a possibility that if they earned a superior rating, they would be eligible to attend the State Music Festival in Helena, one day of which is scheduled on the same day as the prom. It requires a great deal of courage and confidence to compete in the District Music Festival with a solo or ensemble, and students shouldn’t have to contend with additional pressures that activity scheduling like this creates. Such scheduling is unacceptable.

I am pleased to report that the level of music education which the students in Bigfork are receiving is very high, and I consider myself lucky to have been able to share the 2010 District Music Festival experience with these good students and their instructors.

Edd Blackler

Bigfork

Puzzled by lack

of baseball

I received the news that Bigfork and its surrounding area was unable to produce even nine young people (or their parents) who were willing to participate on a Babe Ruth team in the Bigfork Youth Baseball League. How sad.

I am somewhat puzzled by this lack of interest because it is my understanding that more baseball scholarships are awarded in this valley than football and basketball combined.

Since Columbia Falls has three teams, some parents (and grandparents) will be commuting there for practices and games. Wish us well.

Carolyn Coon