Ten contestants took to the stage at the William Glesby Centre on Saturday night for the fifth Manitoba Voice competition. The sold-out show drew around 200 audience members who cheered on the local talent, each bringing a unique sound and story to the stage.
After the last note had been sung and the last chord played, Penny Buhr was crowned the first-place winner. A musician and songwriter from Saskatchewan, she wowed both judges and the crowd with her original song “No Time to Be Blue, Mr. Man in the Moon.”
“I was just really happy to be part of it,” Buhr says, reflecting on the experience. “There was so much talent on that stage. I wasn’t nervous, just excited to share my song. When they called my name for first place, I was shocked. It was such an amazing feeling.”
Buhr, who is visually impaired due to retinitis pigmentosa, says music has long been her anchor. The song she performed was inspired by her personal journey of rediscovering joy and confidence through music after losing her vision.
“It’s a reminder to snap out of the blues. You can’t wait for the man in the moon to fix things; you’ve got to start taking your own good steps forward.”
A celebration of local talent
The Manitoba Voice, originally launched as The Manitoba Country Voice in 2017, was created by Colleen Flynn, who brought on Charlie and Mavis Brennan to celebrate the region’s rich pool of musical talent. This year, the competition opened its stage to all genres, inviting singers and songwriters of every style to share their voices.
“There’s so much local talent within our own community and the surrounding area. I thought that it would be an awesome event, so that people have a chance to get on a concert-sized stage, perform, and show us their talent. Most of them wouldn’t otherwise get that opportunity,” Flynn explains.
Manitoba Voice co-organizer Colleen Flynn, says this year’s competition was one of the best yet, showcasing the incredible musical talent found across the province. PortageOnline/Maryssa McFadden
Flynn, who first came up with the idea while working at the Glesby Centre, says this year’s event was one of her favorites yet.
“It just had more life to it. Maybe it’s because we’ve got the nerves out of the way after five shows, but everything just clicked.”
The evening also featured live performances from Busted, a popular local band that entertained the audience between contestants’ sets and during the judges’ deliberations.
Charlie and Mavis Brennan say the judges faced a tough challenge picking winners, with every contestant delivering standout performances. Submitted Photo/Charlie Brennan
“For $25, people got a talent show and a mini-concert, which makes it such a fun night for everyone.”
Tough choices for the judges
This year’s judging panel brought together three Manitoba musicians: John Einarson, a respected music historian and author; Murray Pulver, a producer and former member of Doc Walker; and Trevor Handford, a Portage drummer and longtime performer.
“I think the judges had a really difficult time trying to pick who was going to be the winners,” says Mavis Brennan. “Every contestant was so talented, so it could have gone a number of ways. I wouldn’t want to have been a judge that evening!”
This year’s Manitoba Voice judges brought their expertise to the panel, tackling the tough task of choosing winners from an exceptionally talented lineup of performers. Submitted Photo/Charlie Brennan
In the end, the top three were announced as:
1st Place: Penny Buhr
2nd Place: Shawn Pallister
3rd Place: Jo-Hannah Atchison
People’s Choice: Tylor Baer
“All of them were just incredible,” Brennan adds. “Penny was fantastic, and Shawn and Jo-Hannah really brought their best. Tylor winning People’s Choice made perfect sense because he connected with the audience beautifully.”
Tylor Baer holding his People’s Choice Award following Saturday night’s Manitoba Voice competition at the William Glesby Centre in Portage la Prairie. Submitted Photo/Tylor Baer
Baer says he was taken aback when his name was called.
“Honestly, my jaw hit the floor. I was stunned,” he explains. “I know I was up against some seriously incredible competition, and I’m just so glad that in the end I did justice to Disturbed’s cover of ‘Sound of Silence’ and really let the audience feel that same raw emotion that song gives me.”
Community spirit front and centre
Beyond the music, The Manitoba Voice continues to be a community-driven success story. Sponsors, including DC Security, Over the Coals, Ian’s Hardware, and Flynn Memorial Services, made the event possible, while audience members packed the seats and cheered loudly from start to finish.
“The familiar faces and new ones, they are what keep this show going,” says Flynn. “From contestants to sponsors to ticket holders, we couldn’t do it without them.”
As for what’s next, the organizing committee plans to return in 2026. But judging by Saturday’s energy, The Manitoba Voice isn’t just an event. It’s becoming a Portage tradition.
“We’re so proud of how far it’s come,” says Charlie Brennan. “It’s about music, yes, but it’s also about community, and that’s what makes it so special.”
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