The Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival is a celebration of music where young musicians have the opportunity to showcase their hard work and achievements. It encourages students to work on mastering a piece of music and performing it to the best of their ability in front of their peers. Through performance and evaluation, participants build confidence and enhance their playing techniques that will benefit their artistic and lifelong pursuits. As students compete in a positive and healthy environment, they increase their self-awareness and have the invaluable experience of working diligently towards their goal. Scholarships are awarded to the top students in their age category.
Prior to 2002, the Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival had the bandura placed under the Guitar category as it was the closest adjudication expertise the Kiwanis team had. However, after many strong years of participation from Zoloti Struny members, the Kiwanis executive opened up a separate Bandura category, where students were finally evaluated only against their fellow bandura peers. Mary Pidkowich has been a wonderful supporter of our young bandura talent from the beginning and we are greatly thankful for her involvement in our bandura journey.
If you would like to support our young talent, please consider a tax-deductible donation to the festival.
2020 Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival Scholarship Recipients
$500.00 – Daria Szwedyk – Olzhych Foundation of Canada Award
$300.00 – Solomia Kosarenko – Olzhych Foundation of Canada Award
$300.00 – Vitalina Mykhailiuk – Olzhych Foundation of Canada Award
$300.00 – Mariane Shved – Olzhych Foundation of Canada Award
$300.00 – Solomia Shevchuk – Olzhych Foundation of Canada Award
$300.00 – Lesia Kosarenko – Olzhych Foundation of Canada Award
$300.00 – Daria Sulipka– Olzhych Foundation of Canada Award
$100.00 – Solomia Kosarenko – The Pidkowich Bandura Award
$100.00 – Vitalina Mykhailiuk – The Pidkowich Bandura Award

Category: Bandura – Age 17 & Under
Award: Platinum (92%)
Year: 2020
Варіації на тему укр. нар. пісні
“Ой, Вербо, Вербо”
обр. Оксана Герасименко
& Daria Szwedyk
Category: Bandura Trio – Age 17 & Under
Award: Platinum
Year: 2019
“Весняні Дзвіночки”
муз. Оксани Герасименко
Category: Bandura – Age 17 & Under
Award: Platinum (95%)
Year: 2019
“Колискова Оленці”
муз. Оксани Герасименко
Category: Bandura – Age 13 & Under
Award: Platinum – 1st (92%)
Year: 2020
Варіації на тему укр. нар. пісні
“Якби Мені Черевички”
обр. Наталя Курило
Category: Bandura – Age 13 & Under
Award: Gold – 2nd (91%)
Year: 2020
Варіації на тему укр. нар. пісні
“Ой Чий То Кінь Стоїть”
обр. В. Автодійчука
Category: Bandura – Age 13 & Under
Award: Gold – 3rd (90%)
Year: 2020
“Прелюд”
муз. К. М’ясковa
Category: Bandura – Age 13 & Under
Award: Platinum – 1st (96%)
Year: 2021
Варіації на тему укр. нар. пісні
“Взяв би я бандуру”
обр. А. Омельченка
Category: Bandura – Age 13 & Under
Award: Platinum – 1st (94%)
Year: 2021
Мелодія в Класичному Стилі
муз. Олi Герасименко-Олійник
Category: Bandura – Age 17 & Under
Award: Platinum (95%)
Year: 2021
“Скерцо”
обр. K. Мясков