It is held every two years because it is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world. According to organizers, it is simply too big for Powell River to handle annually.
To understand the size of International Choral Kathaumixw, figures from the 2014 festival help put it into perspective.
There were 978 local hotel nights, 3,087 contracted meals, 358 billeted participants, 6,444 homestay meals, 200 local bus trips to meals, rehearsals and concerts and 500 volunteers at 2014’s five-day event.
“We are full,” said Tom Koleszar, Kathaumixw chairperson. “We are abolsutely full in terms of the number of choirs and the number of singers that we’re bringing into town. We could not take another choir. Even a small one.”
Not even the room or time could be spared to replace a choir that had to cancel at the last minute. According to festival organizers, an eight-member choir from Cuba had to cancel because all but one person had their visas declined.
“Being full, it adds to that extra layer of things we have to handle,” said Koleszar, such as changing concert programs if a group drops out.
While the festival has gone on since 1984 without any noticeable glitches, there are always last-minute and unexpected details to manage, according to Koleszar. He said that his job is made easier by the dedicated experience of volunteers, some who have been with the festival since its beginning.
“I had some idea of what I was getting into, but it’s been probably a little bit more than I expected in some ways,” he said. “It is a major undertaking. Especially for a town this size.”
Mel Low is one of those long-time volunteers. He has been involved with Kathaumixw since 1988, its third year.
As the festival committee member responsible for facilities, Low’s job is one of the
biggest undertakings.
Behind the scenes, Low’s small volunteer crew of about a dozen people has three weeks to turn Hap Parker Arena in Powell River Recreation Complex from an ice hockey rink into what is called the Grand Hall for three concerts: the opening gala, the awards concert and closing gala. They also have to prepare all of the other recital venues.
According to Low, things have come a long way since Kathaumixw started out in the 725-seat Evergreen Theatre more than 30 years ago.
Now there are over 1,000 chairs to place on the ice surface for audience and choirs, in addition to the 1,700 seats that ring the arena.
The space is draped in a non-reflective, black landscaping fabric to help with lighting effect and photography, lighting grids have to be hung, electrical cables strung, a special roof, built by Low and some volunteers from the mill, improves acoustics and, of course, there is the stage.
The 64-year-old Low is a retired millworker and is filled with emotion when he talks about the festival and the dramatic and spectacular moments that have made audiences gasp over the years, particularly those with a first nations theme.
“I get very emotional,” he said. “I get all of this satisfaction of listening to wonderful orchestras play, quartets play and soloists from all over the world. I’ve always said that when they stop smiling, laughing and having a good time, I quit.”
It’s doubtful that is going to happen anytime soon. According to Low, he is still having as much fun as he did when he started.
And as if being in charge of facilities isn’t enough, Low also sings with the men’s choir, Chor Musica.
For more information on International Choral Kathaumixw, go to kathaumixw.org.
