Don James, C.M.

No dream can be successful without a visionary. The dream of holding an international choral music festival in Powell River belonged to Don James 20 years ago. Since then, the dream, in the form of International Choral Kathaumixw, has become a reality, and it has been embraced and propelled by the community of Powell River, British Columbia.

Mr. James settled in Powell River after graduating in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Washington in the early 1970s. Over the past 30 years he has enjoyed an enviable career as a conductor,  music educator and musical entrepreneur. He is the founder and music director of the Powell River Academy of Music, International Choral Kathaumixw and Symphony & Opera Academy of the Pacific.

 The Academy is home to several internationally acclaimed choirs which, under the direction of Mr. James, have performed in concert and on radio and television broadcasts in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Mr. James has commissioned new works for choir, soloists and orchestra, and he has been awarded prizes and recognition from the Canadian and European Broadcasting Corporations.

A mentor and an inspiration to a countless number of his students and colleagues, Mr. James’ influence in creating connections between musicians cannot be overstated; he has reached out to the global music community throughout his career. As the member, and sometimes chair, of national and international boards he has initiated many important musical projects in Canada and around the world. He has served as president of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors, the British Columbia Association of Community Music Schools and, for a decade, was Canada’s representative on the Board of Directors of the International Federation for Choral Music. He was also recently appointed a member of the International Choir Olympic Executive Committee.

His vision is behind not only International Choral Kathaumixw, but also many other musical endeavours, including the Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific and the Victoria Symphony Residency (both to take place in Powell River for the first time in the summer of 2004).

Mr. James has been a juror for the Juno Awards, CBC National Choir Competition, Miedzyzdroje Festival of Song in Poland, the national choral competitions of Sweden and the Choir Olympics in Korea. Recently he was invited to observe the development of choral music in China and to facilitate choral exchange between China and Canada.

Mr. James is the recipient of the Willan Award and Canada’s highest honour, the Order of Canada, in recognition of his distinguished service to music.