Despite its hundreds of participants and its reputation as the longest running festival on the Coast, the SC Festival of the Performing Arts (SCFPA) is still not very well known by the general public. Current president Norma Mercer finds herself explaining to newcomers whatthe festival isall about each year.
Once called the Sunshine Coast Music Festival and now in its 38th year, the SCFPA gives a chance for music students in all disciplines to gain performing experience and to be given some honest critique by adjudicators.
Interested members of the public can stop by and sit in on the sessions for an hour or two and some great performances. Admission is free, though donations are always welcome.
This year, sessions start this Monday, April 18, at 9 a.m. at the Arts Centre with the first of the piano events adjudicated by Ellen Silverman.
All adjudicators are from off the Coast to avoid favouritism, except for accomplished local musician Paul Pinsonnault who will be adjudicating the Plucked Strings session on April 28.
The piano segment wraps up on April 21, and the Piano Encore Concert will be held on Saturday, April 30, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Hilda's Church in Sechelt - one week later than usual to avoid clashing with the Easter holiday weekend.
Week two of the festival covers percussion, woodwinds and brass instruments and the school bands and ensembles April 26 to 28 at various locations in Sechelt.
Week three, May 2 to 6, covers strings, choirs and vocals at several locations. It finishes with dance performance on Friday, May 6, in the morning at Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons.
The well-attended Fes-tival Highlights concert will be held on Sunday, May 15, this year at 2 p.m. Once again it is free, but donations are welcome.
The all-volunteer organization needs funds to pay the adjudicators' ferry fares and accommodation and, most importantly, to award the cash and medal prizes to competing students. The festival receives support from the volunteer board of eight discipline chairs and six elected officers as well as the many registered music teachers on the Coast, but like many other arts organizations on the Coast, it lacks steady funding.
As a retired teacher, Mercer finds volunteering at the festival to be a pleasure, especially when the kids return each year and she can watch them becoming more poised and accomplished each time. The festival attracts children from the age of five through to those in their senior years who often perform during the vocal sessions or in choirs.
"I think the young people get a kick out of it, seeing the adults perform," Mercer said.
About 175 individuals have enrolled this year, and many more are participating as part of competing choirs, school bands, fiddle groups or orchestras.
For more information about the festival, go to www.coastfestival.com.
