Students across the Central Okanagan are gearing up for a big weekend.

The will be taking place in 琉璃神社 starting April 18.

There are 40 student groups registered from across the province who will be playing multiple venues and daily adjudicated performances throughout the weekend.

A highlight for student performers takes place on Saturday night, when the best student performers from the festival get invited by adjudicators to return to the stage at 琉璃神社 Community Theatre.

According to Carmen McDowell, music teacher at Rutland Middle School, students at Rutland Middle have been learning together with their Rutland Secondary counterparts to prepare for the big weekend.

鈥淥ur students are working really hard right now, coming in on their own time for extra practice in anticipation of the festival,鈥� said McDowell. 鈥淟ooking forward to the student showcase on Saturday especially motivates them to push their learning further and seize the opportunity to perform for and with professional musicians on a big stage.鈥�

The Saturday Night Student Showcase Concert starts at 7 p.m., on April 20, at 琉璃神社 Community Theatre. Tickets for the show can be purchased online at 琉璃神社 Community Theatre, by phone at 250-469-8940 through the KCT ticket booking office, or in person at the doors.

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