The Coast's longest running festival, now in its 39th year, opens on April 2.
The participants are rehearsing their music, the adjudicators have been selected - all that's needed is an audience.
The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts (FOPA) invites the public to view and celebrate the talents of musicians in instrumental and vocal performance, as well as dance.
Taking part in the festival is a learning experience for the mostly young music students because each year adjudicators in the various disciplines visit the community to offer constructive and encouraging critique.
This year it's a stellar crew of critics.
Daniel Bolshoy, internationally renowned classical guitarist, will evaluate the plucked strings category on April 19.
Grace Chan, a voice teacher, evaluates vocal and choral groups on April 10 and 11, while violinist Calvin Dyck, known for his work with youth orchestras, will evaluate the bowed strings portion on April 16 and 17.
Though most adjudicators are from off-Coast, local musician Graham Walker evaluates the electronic and acoustic category, a more recent addition to the festival in order to include rock and pop bands.
The folk instrumental category on April 18 is fun and usually draws a full house, says FOPA president Norma Mercer. The public is welcome to attend any event. Venues are in both Sechelt and Gibsons. Week one takes place April 2 to 4 with piano music at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt under the adjudication of Roger Buksa. Donations at the door are invited and are necessary to keep the festival going.
Week two, April 10 to 13, includes vocal and choirs, while week three, April 16 to 20, is mostly strings with one dance session on April 20.
The piano encore concert takes place on Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m. at the Arts Centre. The popular festival highlights concert takes place Sunday, April 22, at 2 p.m. at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt.
Karin Tigert chairs the percussion, woodwinds and brass category for the festival. She recently met with school district music teachers who conduct concert and jazz band ensembles in Coast schools to ask them what they get from attending the festival.
Carolyn Mitchell saw it as a motivational tool to help her students better their skills. She also welcomed the opportunity to showcase school music education.
Jon Erickson liked the focus it gave his students; as well, it gave another opportunity to perform. Derek Angelus felt it was a good learning experience.
Louise Herle saw it as an opportunity for students to be recognized as musicians in a professional setting. Tom Kellough liked that his groups get feedback on their performance. In fact, these ensembles are not competing - they are performing for the valuable critique only.
"It's a local celebration of their music," Tigert said. "Many students also go to other festivals such as Kiwanis Music Festival to compete, but they like to perform here."
Are the participants deriving as much from the experience? Apparently, yes, according to Mercer.
"I've never seen kids behave better," she said. "They're supportive of one another, and they know how to be an audience."
She believes that participating gives kids more confidence. It also helps to bolster their music studies when trophies and bursaries are awarded, some of which are sponsored by music-loving families on the Coast or by generous patrons of the festival.
Although participants are mainly youthful, from Grade 6 to young adults of 19, the festival is open to all ages. One of the vocal soloists this year will be Alan Millard, now in his 80s.
"He's still singing in a choir and is an inspiration to everyone," Mercer said.
There is usually no trouble finding volunteers to help out during the performance weeks, but Mercer is concerned that the festival board must have volunteers who will make a long-term commitment to organizing next year's program. Those interested can have a look at the website: www.coastfestival.com before emailing Mercer at [email protected].
