Music Groups in the Powell River Area

PRISMA

7280 Kemano Street, Powell River V8A 1M2 (end of Manson south of Duncan)
604 485 9633 Email

Established in 1981, the Academy offers formal study through private lessons and group instruction. Projects include: private instruction, group instruction, choral ensembles, jazz instruction,
International Choral Kathaumixw and the Annual Concert Series.

Clansman Pipe Band Email

Ian Richmond 604 483 9673

The Clansman Pipe Band has been serving the Powell River community for more than forty years. The mission of the Clansman Pipe Band is to continue the rich cultural heritage of Pipe Bands in Powell River.

We welcome new members of all ages. For information or to arrange a performance, please contact Ian Richmond.

School of Piping - free weekly piping and drumming lessons
For information or to register call Ian Richmond.

Community Concert Band, Powell River

c/o Academy of Music, 7280 Kemano Street, Powell River, BC V8A 1M2

Walter Matella, Band Leader
Stuart Wright 604.485.3813 Email

The Powell River Community Band strives to serve as an inspiration and playing opportunity for adults, secondary school and college band students.

Chor Musica Men’s Choir

Academy of Music
7280 Kemano Street, Powell River V8A 1M2

Contact: Doreen Smith-Reif 604 485 2960 Email

Chor Musica is a male voice community choir comprised of 55 singers sponsored by Pacific Coastal Airlines. The choir is conducted by Don James with the assistance of Richard Olfert, piano, and vocal coach Walter Martella. (excerpt from Powell River Peak article)

False Isle Broken Consort

Kevin Wilson 604 483 9052 Email

Early music performance group associated with the Society for Creative Anachronism plays pre-1650 music.

Practice: Mondays, 7:00 pm call for location

Festival of Performing Arts

Sponsored by the Powell River Rotary Club, the Festival has been a Powell River tradition for over 65 years offering opportunities to a wide range of performing artists including piano, voice, strings, wind and brass instruments, speech arts, and amateur choirs, bands, string and jazz ensembles.

International Choral Kathaumixw Festival

Powell River Academy of Music

7280 Kemano Street Powell River V8A 1M2
604 485 9633 Email

A festival that brings choirs from around the world to share their music and love of singing. Powell River has become known worldwide for its friendly musical atmosphere and setting.

Powell River Chorus

Paul Wiltse, President 604 485 2008 Email

Pat Greenwell, Membership Secretary 604 485 4294 Email

Community chorus dedicated to community service through community singing.
No age limit.

Practices: Wednesdays 7:30 pm, Brooks Secondary, 5400 Marine (Townsite)

Powell River's Musicians Homepages

Glen Ogilvie 604 483 4258 Email

Over 550 Powell River musicians are listed including novices to professionals. All genres of music from all walks of life.

Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA) offers a unique program that prepares music students and young professionals for a career in music performance. It is designed to assist students in obtaining the necessary tools to win a position in a professional orchestra.

PRISMA students work with internationally renowned artists from the world’s finest symphony orchestras. During the intensive program students are immersed in an in-depth orchestral training program and enjoy the chamber music concerts by the outstanding faculty.

Royal Conservatory of Music

Coordinator: Donna Beauchesne 604 485 7579

Exam coordinator for the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto. Theory and practical exams held in January, June, August and December.

School of Piping Email

Clansman Pipe Band

Information and registration: George Thomson 604 485 7375

Beginner and accomplished pipers are welcome. Lessons are free, but students are required to purchase a pipe chanter and a music book.

Classes: Tuesdays 7:00 pm, Brooks Secondary School,
5400 Marine (Townsite)

Sunshine Music Festival Society

Palm Beach Park, Palm Beach Road, South of Powell River (see map in a new window)

Clay Brander, Artistic Director Email

The Festival is a celebration of live music from across Canada and the world. Expect to see world-class performances in a picturesque setting at Palm Beach Park on the waterfront. Shop at the craft market and enjoy some tasty treats from the many food vendors. Year after year, the festival gets better and better! Hope to see you there, and don’t forget your beachwear!

West Coast Jazz & Blues Society

7193 Westminster Avenue, Powell River V8A 1C7

The purposes of the society is to promote all music in the community, but particularly jazz and blues. The Society sponsors an annual Vocal Summit with guest artists and local school participation. It also puts on music workshops and seminars.

Music Groups, Festivals & Organizations

The saying goes that music feeds the soul. In Powell River we have a lot of soul food with the
Academy of Music playing a major role in the community plus music festivals and numerous groups that just like to make music.

“Looking back over my 78 years (June 1995), it seems that I have centred on music as a medium of communication for a purpose. As a teenager who struggled through the great Depression of the 1930s, I was imprinted with the need for social reform. Poverty in the midst of plenty was not really acceptable...”

Read the rest of the article
by Martin Rossander

Published in the Canadian Folk Music Bulletin in 2002.

Note: Mark died in 2012 and was honoured as a valuable member of our community.