There’s a chance to catch local performing artists this month and give back to the community.
The annual Howe Sound Performing Arts Association Inspirations Concert kicks off at 3 p.m. on Feb. 18 (at St. John’s Anglican Church, 1930 Diamond Road.) The all-acoustic program features pianists, singers and the Sea to Sky Orchestra, a string ensemble, performing classical and musical theatre selections.
Celebrating their 25th year, the HSPAA event strings together Sea to Sky Corridor performers to raise funds in support of the upcoming Howe Sound Music Festival in early March. Proceeds go towards running the multi-day event and scholarships for participants.
“It originally started as an example to the students that you can still enjoy music as a grown-up,” HSPAA president, Joanna Schwartz explains. As a child, she was involved with festivals and encouraged them over the years. “Adjudicated festivals are part of the success in building student confidence,” Schwartz says.
There are performance feedback and workshops to help students with technique. Some students go on to play in the gala which wraps the festival, scheduled for March 11 this year, and can even win cash awards, Schwartz adds.
One of the performers at both the fundraising event and festival is Sabrina Lanter. Singing for over a decade, the 20-year-old will be belting out notes for a song she describes as mystical.
“There’s so many different talents and a lot of variety at those concerts,” she says. “As much as performing makes me nervous, it’s also really fun and rewarding.”
Lanter remembers her first festival. Though terrifying to receive constructive criticism, she says everyone was supportive, and it’s not a competitive environment.
“I compete against myself,” she says. “You get the pointers from your teachers on how to do things and you listen. But it’s a really different perspective from another adjudicator. It could be something your teacher has been telling you over and over, but you didn’t quite see it that way.”
The opportunity to perform outside of a yearly recital with teachers and peers is different, says Veronica McPhee, executive director of the HSPAA. Having a master instructor work directly with students exposes them to a lot of repertoires, she adds. “They’re open to being coached on the piece they’ve already reached a polished level with,” McPhee explains.
The idea of ongoing learning amongst your peers partly ignited the title Inspirations Concert years ago. “This doesn’t mean you have to become famous or professional. The value is in participating in music and improving yourself with music,” she says.
The HSPAA is looking for more volunteers, with opportunities to match personal interests with a good cause, she notes.
Squamish has always uplifted the performing arts community, McPhee says.
This is a fundraiser for a festival she hopes the community holds dear. “We are grateful for the support they give us financially or their blood, sweat, and tears,” she adds.
Tickets are by donation and for more information, visit the revamped HSPAA website at www.howesoundarts.ca/.
