A celebration of International Choral Kathaumixw will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, following the decision to move the festival to 2023.
“This decision of our organizing committee was driven by reality,” said festival chair Steven Cramaro. “Given the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the world, we would not be able to provide an event that lived up to the international component of our name.”
Founder Don James said the scope of the festival, first held in 1984, requires a tremendous commitment locally and from choirs in North America and around the world.
“With the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and current restrictions regarding quarantine for people coming into Canada, even though they might change in the next few weeks, there is simply not enough time to further delay a decision,” added James.
At this point in the process pre-COVID, choirs would have been committed and a choral program set.
Artistic director Walter Martella has turned his efforts from the five-day festival to a single day with two concerts at Dwight Hall to celebrate Kathaumixw.
“They will incorporate parts of the Gala Open Concert and involve our Powell River choirs from apprentice to chamber and community,” he explained. “It will be an opportunity to continue to recognize the importance of choral music and keep the spirit of Kathaumixw strong until next July.”
More information and ticket availability will be provided in the next few weeks.
“Our committee is ready to pick up the work of hosting a truly international festival from July 4 to 8, 2023,” said Cramaro. “We know our community will be with us then as they have been so many times in the past and we have choirs eager to participate when it is again possible.”
