GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L. — Beth Lane has an ear for music.
It’s how, she says, she taught herself to play three different instruments – piano, guitar and ukulele.
“When I was younger, I used to go to my cousin’s and they had a piano,” Beth explained, of how she discovered she had the ability to teach herself to play music.
“I’d mess around on that every now and then and figure out little tunes.”
Her love of music, interest and abilities have progressed from there, the 16-year-old resident of Bishop’s Falls recently told The Central Voice.
Those ears and her voice also helped her realize a significant achievement during this year’s 54th Central Newfoundland Kiwanis Music Festival in Grand Falls-Windsor.
Beth won the Cole Award for most outstanding performance of the festival as well as the Laura Blackmore Award for best solo performance in Newfoundland music.
The Leo Burke Academy student was recognized for her rendition of Sing You Home, by the Ennis Sisters.
Beth had seen the well-known Newfoundland group perform the song and fell in love with it.
“It’s got such a nice meaning, so I decided it would be a good choice this year,” she said.
Beth said she had no idea she was in the running for the Cole Award.
“It was quite a surprise, I guess. I was really happy about it,” she said.
A long-time performer at the Central Newfoundland Kiwanis Music Festival, Beth said the event really helps performers and singers evolve and grow. She’s also met quite a few people at the festival who have since become significant parts of her life.
As for future aspirations, Beth said she isn’t sure yet, but it definitely will be music-related.
“I love to perform, so something along those lines,” she said.
54th Central Newfoundland Kiwanis Music Festival major award winners
Cole Award
Most outstanding performance of the festival: Beth Lane
Laura Blackmore Award
Best solo performance in Newfoundland music: Beth Lane
Howell Memorial Award
Best performance of a church choir: St. Ignatius Youth Choir
Cater Memorial Rose Bowl
Best solo performance senior competition: Katelyn Adey
(15 years and over)
Hennessey Memorial Rose Bowl
Best solo performance junior competition: Genna Hedges
(14 years and under)
Stanley Memorial Rose Bowl
Best group performance: Lewisporte Collegiate Senior Concert Band
Jay and Julie Coffey Award: Katelyn Adey
Individuals recommended by the adjudicators to participate in the provincial music festival: Shannon Ivey and Maddison Braye
Raines Family Award
Best performance in solo speech: Clair Foss
Bernice Edwards Memorial Award
Best piano performance of the festival: Madison Braye
Bruce Reid Memorial Award
Best performance by a choir: Bay D’Espoir Academy Dolce Singers
(excluding church choirs)
Greco Pizza Donair Award
Best performance in junior piano: Kennedy Willcott
Alphonsus Hennessey Memorial Award
Best performance by a concert band or jazz band: Exploits Valley Intermediate Jazz Band
Ron Ennis Award
Best performance in traditional folk music: Julia Mills
Raymond S. Pretty Memorial Award
Most promising brass player: Madison Braye
(17 years and under)
Thomas Pitcher Memorial Award
Best performance in musical theatre: Allison Luscombe
Adjudicators Awards
(Presented by the adjudicators to the individuals they feel show the most promising potential for future musical development)
Vocal - Shannon Ivey
Piano - Benjamin Oldford
Instrumental - Jared Lake
Speech - Nicole Regular
Choirs - Exploits Valley Intermediate Chorale
Bands - Lewisporte Intermediate Jazz Band
