It’s a surprise to most people when they hear that a well respected and long-standing biennial competitive choral festival is held every two years in Powell River. This small city of about 14,000 on the Sunshine Coast originated as a logging town in the late 1800s and by 1930 was the site of the world’s largest pulp and paper mill. Economies change though and Powell River now focuses on ecotourism and the arts.
The International Choral Kathaumixw was begun in 1984 by resident music director Don James and his friend Dal Matterson. It attracted 400 singers. Kathaumixw, pronounced Ka-thou-mew, means “A gathering together of different peoples” in Coast Salish. The name has proved to be very apt – today more than 1,200 singers from around the world gather at each festival to share their music, culture and friendship. The townsfolk ensure the success of the festival, providing many hours of volunteer time and welcoming the visitors into their homes for the duration of the festival.
In conjunction with the week-long festival, some of the choirs choose to tour B.C. This year, three churches in North Vancouver have or will host excellent choirs from around the world. St Johns the Evangelist hosted the St. Stanislav’s Youth Choir from Slovenia in June and two more concerts are scheduled on July 11. The churches organize billets for the singers, host the concerts and see it as a welcoming gesture to the traveling singers and an opportunity for community outreach.
Friday, July 11:
7 p.m. at Highlands United Church (3255 Edgemont Blvd) — The State House Girls’ Choir from Kenya. Tickets $15 adults, $10 student/senior, $40 family, from church office 604-980-6071.
7:30 p.m. at St Andrews United Church (10th & St Georges) — A top-notch Russian choir, the Academic Students’ Choir of the Ural Federal University. Tickets $15 general, $5 kids 12 and under, from church office, 604-985-0408, [email protected] or at door.
