After a busy, two-week involvement with Powell River Festival of the Performing Arts, Powell River Academy of Music director Walter Martella was presented with the David Pike Memorial Award at the event’s Grand Concert on March 9.
The recognition came as a complete surprise, said Martella. After conducting a choir, cheering on a student and accompanying a young singer that evening, he said was about to leave the concert and go home to rest.
“I planned to go home early,” said Martella. “I’d just finished playing for one of the little kids and came in through the back of the theatre and [festival chair and emcee] Joyce Carlson was onstage talking about this person; it sounded a lot like me.”
Carlson was on stage to present Martella with the award, chosen by the festival committee to recognize the outstanding contribution to the development and continuing support of the arts in Powell River.
It marked the first time the award has been presented since 2014, and Martella is the youngest person to receive it, according to Carlson.
“It’s pretty esteemed company he’s joining,” she said. “That’s the first time the presentation has been a surprise, because in the past it was given to people who were much older and not as involved as they had been in their earlier years.”
Martella turned 50 a few days prior, and already has a considerable legacy of artistic contribution in the community.
“When you add it all up, for someone who is 50, he’s been giving back for a long time,” said Carlson.
Martella grew up in Powell River and began his musical training as a founding member of the Powell River Boys Choir. Today, in addition to his role at the music academy, he is also artistic director of International Choral Kathaumixw and teaches, records, arranges and performs in many musical groups throughout the community. Martella said hearing some of his achievements helped him realize how much he’s actually done.
“When you’ve been as busy as I have for the last 25 years, grabbing as many opportunities as you can, you kind of forget all you’ve accomplished,” he said.
Receiving the award also highlights that a new generation of artistic leaders has emerged in Powell River, he added.
“There are a lot of new leaders in the community,” said Martella, “so it’s great to have people acknowledged; to start acknowledging again is important.”
Another big part of the honour of receiving the award, according to Martella, is David Pike himself. Pike was an esteemed member of the community and major supporter of local arts.
“I remember David Pike; he was at every concert, he knew everybody and spoke with great knowledge about the music being performed,” said Martella. “This is an homage to him, too.”
