Vancouver Island University is recognizing inclusion Powell River’s 60th anniversary by partnering with the society to present a free family concert with musician and children’s entertainer Rick Scott.
Scott will appear in concert, together with his Appalachian mountain dulcimer, at 2 pm on Saturday, January 24, in the university’s gymnasium.
He has developed an extensive resumé and list of awards. Children’s Artist of the Year in the 2013 Western Canadian Music Awards and Goodwill Ambassador for the Down Syndrome Research Foundation, Scott combines music, storytelling and laughter in lively participatory concerts for all ages.
In February 2014, Scott premiered My Symphony, an educational program introducing 2,300 grade four students to orchestra with the Vancouver Island Symphony. The program is set to repeat each February for the next three years.
Scott pioneered rogue folk in BC with Joe Mock and Shari Ulrich in the trio Pied Pumkin. Accompanying himself on Appalachian mountain dulcimer, he is known as a consummate musical storyteller. His ability to combine warm-hearted humour and poignant human commentary has earned him an enthusiastic following from four generations around the world.
In fall 2012 Scott released a four-CD musical audio novel, The Great Gazzoon: A Tall Tale with Tunes and Turbulence, an illustrated folk tale about how one boy’s love of music brings balance and safety to his community. Gazzoon won Children’s Recording of the Year in the 2013 Western Canadian Music Awards and Vancouver Island Music Awards and is 2012 Family Choice and Parents’ Choice Approved.
Singer, songwriter, actor and dulcimer ace, Scott has performed for over 35 years in nine countries and released 18 recordings including eight children’s albums, honoured with three Juno nominations, Parents’ Choice, Family Choice, NAPPA Gold and Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Scott lives on tiny Protection Island in Nanaimo, BC, with his longtime collaborator and producer Valley Hennell. He’s curator of Protection Island Museum. More information about Scott is available on his website www.rickscott.ca.
Seats are limited for the January 24 show and so tickets are required, but there are only a few left. Tickets are available at the front desk of VIU, at inclusion Powell River administration office on Marine Avenue, and at Jean Pike Centre for Children and Youth on Alberni Street. Organizers ask that children be accompanied by an adult at the concert. After the concert, Scott will be available to sign CDs. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, readers can contact Malerie Meeker at 604.483.4224.
