Yunzhi Han was named winner of the Rose Bowl at the 2014 Calgary Kinsman Music Festival Saturday night.
Yunzhi Han didn’t just win the 2014 Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival.
He won the final Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival.
But don’t fret - the festival isn’t going away after 83 years.
It’s just getting a name change, to the Calgary Performing Arts Festival. (Fill in a corporate sponsor to be named at a later date).
That was possibly the biggest news of Saturday night at the Jubilee, where the best of the 2014 Kiwanis Music Festival performed on the mainstage of the Jubilee Auditorium, including 15-year-old Han, who performed Chopin.
But, as befitting the new title, there were choral singers, string quartets, and a choir made up entirely of french horn players from Western Canadian High School.
“We finally have a name,” said festival executive director Mary Ross, “that we feel reflects what we do here, because for many decades, we’ve had more than music here.”
As far as the 2014 festival went, Ross said it all came together quite nicely, despite some financial struggles leading up to it.
“We had 3800 performances, with 11,000 kids participating (overall). It was a good year and of course, exciting news to close it off.
“It (the festival) is growing,” she added, “it is changing, it is evolving.”
For 15 year old Han, who received a rose bowl full of flowers and a $5,000 scholarship, the 2014 festival - he’s performed in every one since 2008 - was a memorable one.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to play for you,” he said, before proceeding to thank his parents and teacher.
Han might only be 15, but already he’s performed onstage at the Jack Singer Hall as well as the Jubilee.
It took a few trips back to the Jube, but Han says now it’s fun.
“I gained more stage experience,” he said. “After the first couple years, I stopped being nervous and I learned to enjoy it more.”
Saturday night, he says, he felt “so happy.”
Han couldn’t pick a favourite between the Jack Singer and the Jubilee, saying the experience of performing in both venues was amazing.
All of which leads to the question: what next?
“I don’t know,” said Han. “Carnegie Hall?”
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