First-place winners of choir and vocal solo competitions will take to the stage on Friday, July 6, with the choirs vying to become the Choir of the World at Kathaumixw.
Competitions began Wednesday morning and continue Thursday and Friday mornings at three venues: Great Hall, Evergreen Theatre and James Hall.
Each choir that has won a category will present a contrasting program, not more than 13 minutes long, of music of their own choice.
Don James, founder of Powell River Academy of Music and co-founder of International Choral Kathaumixw, is head of the international jury that will select the best choir from among the contenders.
“The Awards Concert is the best time to hear the top choirs and soloists at Kathaumixw all in the same evening,” explains James. “There is great musical variety and tension during this concert as the jury is, at the same time, judging them all and deciding the winner of the Choir of the World at Kathaumixw Award, which will be announced at the Gala Closing
Concert on Saturday night. Between performances the first and second prize winners also receive their trophies, which are unique original works of art.”
First nations artist William Finn, who created Kathaumixw’s thunderbird logo, also creates the thunderbird stone and framed pieces that are awarded to the winners the competition categories Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Adult Mixed Choir and Equal Voice Choir. Finn, who is of Cree-Huron and English-Métis heritage, previously resided in Powell River and his children attended the music academy.
Winners of the competition categories Chamber Choir, Folk and Cultural Traditions, Vocal Solos, Contemporary Choral Music and Best Performance of an Original Choral Composition by a Canadian Composer will be awarded stone sculptures called Neptune’s Private Eyes, original pieces of sculpture commissioned from local wildlife artist and Tug-Ghum Gallery owner Debra Bevaart.
Winning soloists in three age categories will sing during the concert.
“The awards evening offers a diverse and unique concert,” said James, “and I recommend that people come and see it.”
International Choral Kathaumixw Awards Concert
• When: Friday, July 6, 8 pm
• Where: Great Hall at Powell River Recreation Complex
• Information: kathaumixw.org
