On Sunday (April 10) Squamish Baptist will be host to the festival's Vocal & Choral Divisions held at the Squamish Baptist Church, adjudicated by Fabiana Katz. The vocal division, featuring vocal solos and duets, will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. featuring classical repertoire and a treat with some familiar musical theatre numbers. The choral division begins at 4 p.m. The Sea To Sky Singers and Whistler Singers will be performing a couple of pieces each and then the adjudicator will be lead the choirs in a workshop.
"What I enjoy about adjudicating is sharing with them ideas and concepts that will make them better and watching them feel their voice soar, realizing how much easier it is when they get our of the way and let their body take over," said Katz, who holds a Masters of Music in choral conducting from the College Conservatory at the University of Cincinnati. Katz has appeared as a soloist with a long list of ensembles including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra.
The festival begins with piano performances Friday (April 8) from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday (April 9) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Whistler's Our Lady of Mountain Catholic Church.
Piano adjudicator Sandra Joy will provide performers with written and verbal judgment of their presentations qualifying them for certificates of gold, silver or bronze. The piano division will continue at the Squamish Baptist Church starting next Thursday (April 14) to Saturday (April 16).
A concert highlights and awards gala presentation on April 17 will include repeat performances by all the gold medal students at the Eagle Eye Community Theatre beginning at 3:30 p.m. Joy will also give a piano performance leading into gala and announcement of medals, scholarships and provincial nominees.
Audiences can purchase a $10 festival pass for entry to all performances and the awards gala, or pay $2 at the door for each performance and $7 for the awards gala.
