HSPAA presents fifth annual Howe Sound Music Festival Music will echo through the Sea to Sky corridor April 8 to 17 during the fifth annual Howe Sound Music Festival. The adjudicated festival gives 160 music and vocal students the opportunity to perform and receive a critique of their work by professional adjudicators.
"The festival is an opportunity for both students and teachers," said festival founder and executive director Colleen Koop. "For the students, it's hands-on and teachers have the opportunity to listen and learn from our professional adjudicators."
On Sunday (April 10) Squamish will be host to the Vocal & Choral Division held at the Squamish Baptist Church adjudicated by Fabiana Katz. The Vocal division (vocal solos and duets) will be from 1:30 - 3:30 featuring classical repertoire and a treat with some familiar musical theatre numbers. The Ccoral division begins at 4 - 6 PM. The Sea To Sky Singers and Whistler Singers will be performing a few pieces 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.
Festival performers have an opportunity to qualify for a provincial competition in Vernon this year. Last year two Squamish pianists, Terry Fulton and Jennifer Galloway as well as Squamish vocal student Shannon Peek attended the provincials in Victoria. Galloway was named runner-up in the senior division.
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 April 14 to 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.
