TAs the Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham-Unionville and on behalf of the Government of Ontario, I would like to take this opportunity to extend warmest greetings on the occasion of the 21st Annual Markham Music Festival Gala Concert and Award Ceremony.

It is an honour to welcome the return to our community of this special event which features the inspiring, talented performances of young pianists who dazzle us with their gift for music and their dedication to musical achievement.

I commend the organizers of the Markham Music Festival for providing this tremendous cultural experience and an artistic platform that, in its richness and diversity, exemplifies the characteristics of the people of Ontario.

Thank you for your dedication to promoting a friendly and harmonious learning environment for young musicians to grow and thrive. Please accept my best wishes for a memorable and successful evening.

Yours truly,
Michael Chan, M.P.P.
Markham–Unionville

On behalf of Members of Council and the City of Markham, I am pleased to extend a warm and sincere welcome to the participants, family and friends attending the 21st Annual Markham Music Festival.

A sure sign of spring is the start of this annual piano competition which attracts young piano enthusiasts not only from Markham, but from across the GTA, and allows them to showcase their skills before a panel of experienced Royal Conservatory of Music adjudicators. The 2016 Festival has attracted close to 1,000 of the finest rising young pianists in the area!

I strongly believe that art and culture are the foundation of liveable communities and play a vital role in the quality of life we enjoy in our neighbourhoods and I commend the dedicated music teachers and judges who work so hard to build a positive and encouraging environment for these up and coming musicians to demonstrate their talent and share their passion for music.

It is through events such as this that great memories are made. As Mayor, I welcome you to our community and extend my best wishes to all the competitors.

Yours sincerely,
Frank Scarpitti
Mayor

On behalf of the Markham Music Festival, I wish to welcome you to the 21st Annual Festival. Building on the astounding success of past years, we are anticipating another exciting fortnight of music making.

The Markham Music Festival is a celebrated occasion for students, teachers and music lovers to meet, perform and learn from one another. Combained efforts will promote the true spirit of music through an ideal ambience for harmony, creativity as well as the presentation of musical appreciation and interpretation. It is important that no one should miss the real essence of a Music Festival. It would be extremely unfortunate to turn a well-intended Music Festival into a competition for awards. Targeting to win prizes by practicing hard to play only the assigned syllabus of music will narrow the scope of the students, and unnecessarily subject them to undue pressure.

To enjoy the Festival to its best, we all must participate and appreciate the music presented by everyone. Students should be motivated to play their best and to integrate experience learnt from other performers to achieve a higher standard of musical wisdom

I am certain that this 21st Annual Markham Festival will be a success embracing the same principles and traditions. It will be the instrumental platform for many budding young talents to further inspire their musical perspective. I would like to extend my best wishes to all the participants of the Markham Music Festival. May music be always with you!

Lee Kum-Sing

Dear Friends of the Markham Music Festival,

Our Festival continues to offer the opportunity to young pianists to celebrate the joy of making music, to share the music they love, and to learn in a stimulating and supportive environment.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the participating students who bring so much excitement to our Festival with their performances, as well as their teachers and parents for their continued support, the fine adjudicators whose expertise and talent turn the festival into a wonderful learning experience for all involved, the sponsors who make the Festival possible, and of course, all the volunteers who spend countless hours of hard work to ensure the success of each event.

Our very special thanks go to the Steinway Piano Gallery Toronto for sponsoring our Festival, and for contributing to making every participant’s experience a memorable one, by granting them the opportunity to play on an outstanding first-class instrument.

We extend our best wishes to all participants, and wish you all an enriching musical experience with the Markham Music Festival!

Dr. Araxie Altounian
Music Director

Welcome to the twenty second annual Markham Music Festival!

Last year, the celebration was a resounding success, and I look forward with great enthusiasm to another musical feast! No effort is spared to ensure that young musicians have the opportunity to shine, learn and grow in a friendly, encouraging and professional atmosphere.

Here, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to TD Canada Trust for their full support, to Steinway and Sons for the pristine piano, to all the dedicated teachers and parents as well as all the volunteers who help make this event possible.

I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to TD Canada Trust for their full support, to Steinway and Sons for their pristine pianos, to all the dedicated teachers and parents as well as all the volunteers who help make this event possible.

We look forward to seeing you at the Festival!

Best Wishes
Alex Thomson
Executive Director