Pacific Regional International Summer Music Association (PRISMA) artistic director Arthur Arnold appeared before City of Powell River councillors to outline the importance of the music academy.
“Why PRISMA?” asked Arnold at the April 5 committee of the whole meeting. “It creates unity, it creates community, and it creates connection. Music is the perfect vehicle to achieve this. That’s why I played at the vaccination clinic in challenging times, or for lonely people at their homes.
“PRISMA will continue to bring international young musicians to our town, to teach them not only music, but above all, respect, support and understanding. Even though we all come from different backgrounds as musicians, from all over the world, from different cultures, we are connected as human beings through music.”
Arnold said these are very concerning times. He said he resigned from his position as musical director of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra because he had to take a stand against the aggression of Vladimir Putin.
“I cannot do that while filling the music director position without bringing the orchestra or its members in jeopardy,” added Arnold.
He said he organized a benefit concert for Ukraine here on April 2, not only to raise money for the suffering country, but also to create hope and connection in the qathet region. He then played the Ukrainian national anthem on his cello for the assembly.
Arnold said the concerning times are not only in faraway Europe, but also here. He said April 5 was an important day, the sixth anniversary of the signing of the Tla’amin Nation treaty. The day was also Arnold’s 55th birthday.
“We share a birthday,” said Arnold. “We are born here on this planet and we will die here. In that time, it is up to us to make wise and mindful decisions and choices that contribute to well-being and peace. May we be a community of integrity, compassion and honesty. A name change doesn’t hurt so much compared to the separateness.”
Arnold said cellist Pablo Casals received the United Nations peace medal in 1971 for his lifelong commitment to peace and the rights of all people, then shared one of his comments.
“He said ‘I am a very simple man. I am a man first and an artist second. My first obligation is to the welfare of my fellow man. I will endeavour to meet this obligation through music since it transcends language, politics and national boundaries.’”
Arnold played another musical selection and the chamber then sang “Happy Birthday to You” to Arnold.
Councillor George Doubt thanked Arnold for coming and for bringing PRISMA to the community, for his words and the music, and for being at the vaccine clinic, playing and calming people down.
“My thoughts were with you when seeing on the news a cello player in front of a building in Ukraine that had been destroyed,” said Doubt. “Thanks for being here and our thoughts are with you and with the people of Ukraine.”
When asked by councillor Cindy Elliott if there were events where people could support PRISMA, Arnold said this year, musicians will be here, so he suggested that people come to the concerts and PRISMA on the Beach. This year’s PRISMA festival will be held between June 13 to 25.
Committee of the whole chair councillor Rob Southcott thanked Arnold for his message for peace, of working together, of success and the victory of life, and moving forward together in the world.
“I so agree with you,” said Southcott. “Music is what binds us.”
