Exciting changes are in store for Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA)’s fourth season of presenting symphonic music to enthusiastic crowds in Powell River. They include a revamped community celebration at Willingdon Beach and a new format for the Gala Grand Opening at Evergreen Theatre.
During the two-week festival from June 13 to 25, five major concerts conducted by music director Arthur Arnold will take place.
Also, from 5-8:30 pm on Wednesday, June 15, PRISMA on the Beach will showcase new music written by PRISMA composer-in-residence Tobin Stokes and Tla’amin Nation musician Drew Blaney. It incorporates Tla’amin music into a full orchestra performance celebrating the nation’s self-governance.
“We are partnering with and recognizing the nationhood of the Tla’amin people,” explains PRISMA vice-president John Silver. “It is a special honour to work with them.”
PRISMA’s 70-member festival orchestra, selected from 257 international student applicants, along with guest artists and Tla’amin drummers, will combine for the performance. The free event will also feature local musicians, food vendors and an air-show tribute by the Fraser Blues.
On Friday, June 17, the Gala Grand Opening offers a greater number of musical selections than in years past and an array of music for different combinations of instruments.
“We’re starting out with a little ensemble, then solo or two players together, moving into a traditional chamber grouping,” says John, “and concluding with the full symphony orchestra, which we’ve never had at the opening concert.”
Other Gala Opening features include Leroy Anderson’s Typewriter Concerto; percussionist Bill Linwood plays the typewriter. “It is a lot of fun,” says John.
Also, violinist Shannon Fitzhenry, winner of the 2015 Concerto Competition, returns to play Carmen Fantasy by composer Pablo de Sarasate, and a short film by Claudia Medina about the Tla’amin Nation treaty will have its international premiere.
Two symphony concerts take place Saturday, June 18, at 1:30 and 7:30 pm, featuring Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, with cellist Amanda Forsyth, violinist Herbert Greenberg and pianist Sungpil Kim.
The shows open with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Introduction and Wedding March and close with Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.
“It will be a tremendous challenge for our orchestra,” says John, “but they will rise to it.”
A chamber music concert featuring guest artists, including a Mozart trio and a Schumann piano quintet, takes place at 7:30 pm on Thursday, June 23.
“It has incredible music; essential works in the chamber music repertoire,” says John. “Our guest artists are truly world-calibre musicians; it is going to be a stunning concert.”
A complete list of all guest artists, including profiles, can be found at orchestra-academy.ca.
The festival’s closing concert on Saturday, June 25, includes the Concerto Competition final, where three finalists selected during a semi-final round on Thursday, June 16, perform with the full orchestra.
“The winner once again receives an all-expenses paid trip to rehearse and perform with Moscow Symphony Orchestra,” says John.
After intermission, the festival concludes with Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, performed by the festival orchestra.
“It’s a huge work, a wonderful challenge for our students,” says John.
For sectional rehearsal, master class and student recital information and schedules, or for ticket details, visit orchestra-academy.ca or call 1.855.577.4762.
