Choirs have come from around the world to attend International Choral Kathaumixw since its inception in 1984. A lesser-known component of the festival is the participation of Come Solo Singers that started about 10 years ago. Singers who are not attached to a choir are welcome to practise and sing with the mass choirs.
According to Kathaumixw founder Don James, he was first exposed to come solo singers at the Europa Cantat and saw them again at various conferences.
“It was a natural for us to do it here,” said James. “People who like to sing may be part of a very large choir that has not been accepted to be part of our festival or they might be singers who are not in a choir at all.”
Come solo singers take part in common singing rehearsals each day and have the chance to work with specialized conductors. “It’s very much a participate and learn opportunity,” explained James. “And it can be a lot of fun.”
An Ontario family of four with deep Kathaumixw roots will be returning in 2018 as Come Solo Singers. Mark Matterson, his wife Jenny and their two sons, Trevor and Kevin, will stay with his parents, Dal and Kay Matterson, both of whom have been an integral part of Kathaumixw since its inception.
Mark joined Powell River Boys Choir, conducted by James, when he was only eight years old and was a member of the apprentice choir.
“I remember quite clearly getting the call that brought me into the choir,” said Mark. “Shortly after that I toured England and Wales with them, quite something for a young boy.”
After graduation, Mark obtained a music education degree and then attended BC Institute of Technology, where he received a computer studies degree. He subsequently moved to Ontario where he currently works in the financial industry. It was through music he met his wife, who is a piano and voice teacher.
Mark is the associate director of music at St. Peter’s Erindale Anglican Church and director of the handbell choir. He assists with vocal choirs and plays the church organ when called upon. In addition, he is involved with the Voice for Life program, teaching theory and vocal techniques.
Both sons attend a regional program at a secondary school specializing in the arts. Trevor, who is in grade 12, is taking a vocal major while Kevin, a grade nine student, is a trumpet major.
Mark remembers attending the very first Kathaumixw and being enthralled with the Nyonza Singers from Uganda.
“I also remember the frantic telephone calls at my home as my dad was working to get them to Powell River,” says Mark. “They finally made it and gave an energetic and inspiring performance.”
Another highlight for Mark was during the closing concert when “Hymn to Freedom” by Canadian pianist and composer Oscar Peterson was performed for the first time.
“During the final performance, with the words ‘When every hand joins every hand,’ choir members provided action to the song’s lyrics, and all joined hands,” said Mark. “The audience did the same thing. It was very powerful and remains a part of every closing.”
Peterson was a member of the Mattersons’ church and Mark spoke to him about his hymn being part of Kathaumixw and also provided him with a DVD of the festival.
“I grew up with Kathaumixw and have attended other festivals,” he said. “It is unique to Powell River and would be impossible to replicate in another city. It wouldn’t be the same.”
Mark said watching James and his father build Kathaumixw taught him that “it’s okay to dream big, that you need both vision and process. It was a good lesson growing up and one that I have used for my work and life.”
Smithers resident Gail Jenne heard about Kathaumixw through one of her choir members, Sheila Peters, who grew up in Powell River and attended the festival whenever she came back to visit her mother. Betty Berger, a retired teacher, billeted visiting choir members when she was younger and has been an enthusiastic concert attendee.
Jenne attended Kathaumixw in 2016 and saw information about come solo singers.
“We have a non-auditioned community choir and would not be up the performance quality of this festival,” said Jenne. “It is great to study other great choirs and get tips to bring back home. We really enjoyed our time at the last festival.”
Jenne’s husband is also coming. He sings in the same choir and is a drummer who plays with a few local bands.
After Kathaumixw, the group is heading to SongRoots on Gambier Island.
“As we get closer to retirement, we plan on ramping up choral singing opportunities,” said Jenne. “It brings us great joy and keeps us sane, so far, anyway.”
Elisabeth Dolan of Calgary will join her two sisters as solo singers at Kathaumixw 2018. Her twin Constance Roy, who has hosted billets, lives in Powell River, while her sister Caroline Brown spends part of her time in Calgary and part in Powell River.
Dolan, a second soprano, sings with Calgary Women’s Chorus and has heard about Kathaumixw for several years from her sisters.
“Constance was always saying, ‘you must come some year, you must come,’” said Dolan. “I’m super looking forward to coming this time.”
A host has been assigned to the singers who will march into the Gala Opening Concert on Tuesday, July 3, under the banner Come Solo Singers.
