Every two years, the small coastal city of Powell River hosts the International Choral Kathaumixw (pronounced Ka-thow-mew), a festival that attracts 1,200 singers.
After five days of the festival, some of the choirs tour the province.
That tour will stop in Salmon Arm, when the Murwillumbah Philharmonic Choir performs at 7:30 p.m. at First United Church on Tuesday, July 10.
Kathawmixw originated in 1984, when Don James dreamed of establishing a choral festival similar to those in Europe.
The festival has grown annually, has commissioned choral works, features artists-in-residence, internationally renowned soloists and a distinguished jury.
Kathaumixw is a Coast Salish word meaning a gathering of different peoples.
Salmon Arm has been hosting Kathaumixw touring choirs since 1988.
Choirs from such diverse countries as Finland, Spain, Australia, Slovakia, Poland and Kazakstan have enjoyed the warm Shuswap hospitality and shared their beautiful music.
An internationally acclaimed all-adult choir, Murwillumbah hails from New South Wales, Australia. The choir was created in 1923 and has 75 members ranging in age from 16 to 80.
Performances range in styles from baroque oratorio to jazz favourites, as well as folk and modern.
The choir’s recent concerts have included the Fauré Requiem, incidental songs and an English music concert featuring works by John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Elton John.
Many members of this choir sang in Carnegie Hall as part of a larger group presenting the music of Karl Jenkins, under the direction of the composer.
Heather Martin, music director/conductor, graduated from Sydney Conservatorium of Music and taught music in a secondary school.
Martin is heavily involved in choral music and plays viola.
She has directed a many choirs, vocal ensembles, string ensembles and concert bands as well as musical theatre and also directed the choir’s Llangollan International Music Festival, New Zealand and Pacific tours.
Admission to the choir’s performance at First United Church is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. For more information, call the church office weekday mornings at 250-832-3860.