On December 14, 1975, an event happened that forever changed Powell River when a new vocal group, Powell River Boys Choir, sang in the first concert held in the new Powell River Recreation Complex.
The choir featured 31 boys from every school in the region, under the direction of Ken Peterson, and from that first appearance grew the Powell River Academy of Music.
Now, more than 40 years later, the academy is opening registration for another season of choirs, music instruction, dance, theatre and visual arts.
According to co-founder Don James, the academy has become so integrated into the community that it has become the embodiment of Powell River, locally, nationally and internationally.
“The Academy has put our community on the world map since 1982,” said James, “inviting the world to Powell River, building relationships between the local citizens and people around the world.”
The list of achievements the academy has accomplished have been well documented. The organization was instrumental in Powell River being named a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2004.
It partnered with Tla’amin Nation with the naming of International Choral Kathaumixw, a biannual gathering of choirs from around the world that returns to the city in 2018.
The academy has also helped develop School District 47 music programs and facilities, and worked with City of Powell River for economic development through cultural tourism.
“Our duty to the community is to provide education through arts-training programs for people of all ages in music, dance, theatre and visual arts," said James, "as well as to develop, produce and manage festivals and cultural events for economic development and fostering a lifelong love of the arts."
Music director Walter Martella said wherever he travels, including to a choir symposium in Spain he recently returned from, people he encounters know Powell River because of Kathauwmix.
“Of course, it's the festival, but what they remember most are the billets and the community that's here,” said Martella, “and how friendly and welcoming the town is to people.”
Tobin Stokes, who was a charter member of the boys choir and has gone on to become an internationally accomplished opera composer, said the academy is important in many ways because it became a cultural hub for community activity.
“When the boys choir started travelling, people started paying attention," said Stokes. “People in Powell River realized that this is a big thing. Then when the choir won the CBC choir competition in 1980, Canada started to take notice."
Different classes available at the academy are microcosms of the community that go beyond the studios and performance halls at the building on the intersection of Kemano Street and Manson Avenue, according to Martella.
“People help each other in other ways,” said Martella. "Chor Musica did a big work party at a home on a Saturday, helping people with health issues in their yard.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said the academy gives the city an advantage when people are looking at Powell River to move to for a change in lifestyle.
Culture is a big reason why new residents are attracted here and the academy is the foundation of the city’s arts and culture, said Formosa.
“There's no doubt it plays a part in the decision people make,” he said. “It's a huge asset for us and it's really helped Powell River.”
For more information, or to register, go to powellriveracademy.org.
