Singing week adds harmony to Kathaumixw

February 26, 2002

As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, International Choral Kathaumixw is expanding, adding on a week of singing with more choirs travelling to Powell River.

Choirs who were not selected to participate in the main festival will participate in a week of workshops and performances. "In the past we may have rejected 20 choirs because there was no space in town," said Kathaumixw artistic director Don James. "This year we've added a Kathaumixw singing week." The extra week will take place from June 24 to 29, before Kathaumixw begins. It will be a non-competitive event, explains James, modelled on similar gatherings in Europe where choirs learn new music, give concerts, and generally mix. "It's more of a study week, to improve skills and provide exposure to choirs to learn from each other."

Organizers invited choirs which couldn't be accommodated during Kathaumixw, which takes place this year from July 2 to 7. "Some could come, some couldn't. At the moment there are about 1000 singers coming." The extra week is a bonus for the community. All the participants will be staying in hotels. During Kathaumixw, about 600 participants stay in hotels and 450 are billeted. "That's the optimum number."

Some of the jury members will be giving workshops during the singing week, said James. "It could develop into an annual event, without the impact of billeting." During singing week, there will be a schedule of performances available, said James, and an opportunity for choirs to perform in some of the schools.

Another initiative James is working on is a Kathaumixw orchestral school, which would take place for three weeks before Kathaumixw, hopefully in 2004. "Participants would stay for Kathaumixw and make up an orchestra. I've made some inquiries to people in university and young professionals who are lead players or are in major symphonies. They are quite interested in the idea."

After the events of September 11 last year, organizers were worried about the impact on Kathaumixw. However, they've received 20 per cent more applications this year. "It's indicative of people viewing Canada as a safe country." One of the choirs scheduled to participate in Kathaumixw this year is a youth choir from New York City. "It's an interesting connection."
Each year Kathaumixw grows in stature. "We never thought it would sustain itself this way. It has a high reputation throughout the choral world because of the calibre of the choirs and the calibre of the jury members."One of the jury members this year is Jean-Claude Wilkens, the secretary-general of the International Federation for Choral Music, which has its headquarters in Altea, Spain.

One of the reasons word of Kathaumixw spreads throughout the world is because of the hospitality of the town, said James, and the actual format of the festival.

In 2000 there were about 1,200 participants, and this year it is expected 1,150 people will participate. In all, 34 choirs will be attending Kathaumixw 2002 and one orchestra, the VSO brass. Additionally, there are two artists in residence, the University of Philippines Madrigal Singers and Cantus, a male choir from the United States.

Guest artists this year are Colin Balzer, a Canadian tenor, and Sally-Ann Russell, an Australian Mezzo.

Sixteen countries will be represented at the festival, including three which have never been represented before: Belgium, Denmark, and Turkey.

Kathaumixw tickets go on sale May 1.