Kathaumixw takes place in the picturesque seaside town of Powell River, British Columbia, Canada.

Choirs and individuals are invited to take part in the 2010 festival.

• Festival Week -
  July 6 -July 10, 2010

• Kathaumixw Tour Week - July 12 -16, 2010
  

The DVD Kathaumixw: A Thousand Voices, A Single Passion - a 73 minute documentary explores the journey of the pursuit to excellence through the body, soul and voice. A film intertwined with explosive performance, this documentary is a journey that leads us to the small town on the coast of BC called Powell River. To view the trailer or order your copy click here

When organizers chose the Sliammon name “Kathaumixw” “A gathering together of different peoples” (pronounced Ka-thou-mew) for their festival more than 20 years ago, they never dreamed how fitting a name it would be.

Over the past two decades, International Choral Kathaumixw has become an illustrious event. More than 30 choirs from all over the world take part in each festival, which is held every second summer in the small town Powell River on the coast of British Columbia, Canada. International concerts, choral and vocal solo competitions, common song singing, conductors’ round tables, concert tours, social events, workshops and seminars are the focus of the festival.

International Choral Kathaumixw is known not only for the high quality of its music, but also because of the philosophy that defines it. The festival brings together musicians and music lovers, and it celebrates music and music’s ability to bring peace to the world. The setting, a quiet town in the midst of a temperate rainforest overlooking mountains and ocean, is conducive to this philosophy.

The Powell River community also does a lot to make the festival a memorable event. Hundreds of local people volunteer with Kathaumixw in one way or another. All overseas choirs are hosted with local families, which lends the festival a warm, welcoming feeling. Activities that are organized during the week, like seaside barbecues and spontaneous concerts, are attended by hundreds of community members.

Many of the world’s most famous conductors, singers, orchestral figures, and musical leaders have participated in International Choral Kathaumixw over the years, including Erkki Pohjola (director of Finland’s esteemed Tapiola choir), Jean-Claude Wilkens (Secretary General of the International Federation for Choral Music), Fred Sjöberg (tenor soloist and conductor from Sweden) and Sally-Anne Russell (mezzo soprano from Australia).

This is what they have to say about the festival:

“Everyone should come; everyone should have the experience of Kathaumixw.”
Sally-Anne Russell, Australia

“I’m the kind of musician that loves to explore and find new ways to bring different people together in new ways. Kathaumixw was a wonderful place to make this come true.”
Fred Sjöberg, Sweden

“Besides the festival and the atmosphere, Powell River is a nice place - it’s quiet and beautiful.” Jean-Claude Wilkens, France

International Choral Kathaumixw is organized under by the Powell River Academy of Music, home to the internationally acclaimed Powell River Academy Choirs.