The Howe Sound Performing Arts Association (HSPAA) is hosting two fundraisers this month in an effort to intrigue youth as well as pay for the annual Howe Sound Music Festival.
The adjudicated festival, which takes place in April, is open to performers of all ages and takes place in Squamish and Whistler with professional judging in three categories: piano, vocal and choral.
Fundraiser organizer, vocalist and festival director Veronica McPhee said she hopes this month's aptly named Inspiration concert series inspires more musicians to compete in the festival itself.
"It's an opportunity for music students living in our corridor, from Pemberton to Lions Bay to perform at an adjudicated festival," she said.
To capture the anticipated young audience's undivided attention, each show will have a one-hour duration.
"We're choosing music that could apply to the music festival but is also is sort of accessible to younger audiences, ones that they won't get restless listening to," said McPhee.
With a festival price tag of more than $12,000, she said the HSPAA also needs the fundraiser since it has, in recent times, turned into a money-losing endeavour rather than a money-making event.
"I thought having a fundraising concert could help off set some of those losses," said McPhee. "I haven't even made a [fundraising] target because I'm just hoping that we cover our costs, we make some money and we get some information out regarding the festival and hopefully encourage more students to participate in the festival."
Both the Whistler and Squamish fundraiser performances will showcase the high calibre quality of several local teachers in the performing arts community.
Inspiration will feature vocal performances by Ali Bachert, Melissa Braun, Naomi Lang, McPhee, Aaron Purdie and a piano performance by Erik Musseau. The Whistler recital will also include a performance by pianist and singer-songwriter Ali Milner.
The concert series is a reunion of sorts for the Howe Sound Performing Arts Association.
"Basically all of the performers are either teachers for students that have performed in the music festival, they've been part of the Howe Sound Music Festival as children or even just other music festivals growing up," said McPhee.
Admission to the fundraiser performance is by donation with proceeds benefiting the five-day Howe Sound Music Festival in April.
The Squamish fundraiser show will take place on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. at St. John Anglican Church, located at 1930 Diamond Rd.
A Whistler fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church.
