The concert hall and gathering place that is the home of the Pender Harbour Music Society (PHMS) in Madeira Park is still dark these days, silenced like many other performance venues for nearly two years by the stubborn threat of COVID-19. But there’s as much activity behind the scenes at PHMS as ever.
The society has built a reputation as a centre for classical and high-end contemporary music, as well as a venue for semi-pros and amateurs at a monthly coffee house. Despite the string of scheduling setbacks since early 2020, the board of directors has continued to plan more music events and concert series for the 100-seat hall. Meanwhile, a band of volunteers has kept the building and grounds ready for the next audience. The question is, when can they come?
“We’ve been holding out for Stage Four (of the B.C. Restart Plan),” PHMS vice-chair Joanne Mauro said in an interview. “We really can’t reopen until all the restrictions are gone. We were still programming in the fall for kids – a children’s concert followed by a family concert, which would mix unvaccinated kids with seniors. It’s just not something that is advisable.”
In past years, once the August-to-May schedule was set, offering everything from Brahms to boogie-woogie, it was considered a fait-accompli. But not anymore.
“Our policy has been to be hopeful and to go ahead and make plans and sign contracts for a whole concert season,” Mauro said. “Then, as the dates approach, we give ourselves a little lead time, making a decision based on the public health orders. That’s what we’ve been doing.”
Recent postponements have included the October date with Vancouver gospel, funk and jazz singer Dawn Pemberton, and the November concert with children’s music star Charlotte Diamond and her son, Matt Diamond (now rescheduled for May 7). Late last week, PHMS had to put off until next year the popular Prairie Home Christmas concert with harpist Janelle Nadeau’s ensemble. Mauro noted that the performers understand the situation.
“Without exception, all the musicians were on board with it and were willing to re-book,” she said. “They’ve all been very supportive. We all want the same thing.”
Next month, the board will have to decide if it can go ahead with the concert by the internationally touring Canadian duo of pianist Meagan Milatz and violinist Amy Hillis, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 23. The continuing high number of COVID cases reported daily in B.C. makes it unlikely that all restrictions will be lifted soon, but Mauro said PHMS remains optimistic, and is grateful for the continuing community support.
“We’re thankful for everybody’s patience and understanding in such an uncertain time,” said Mauro. “We’re not alone and other venues have handled it their way. But we’re doing our best. We will be back with live music.”
