The traditional piano recital is usually attended by the teacher, the students, their proud parents, and nobody else.
The Not Another Piano Recital on March 15 promises to draw in a much bigger audience, because it offers something for every musical taste.
Sponsored by Campbell River Friends of Music, the Friday evening concert is a fund raiser for an annual $500 bursary given to help a student attend a summer music program, such as CYMC or the Victoria Conservator Summer Academy.
The concert, to be held at the Campbell River United Church at 7 p.m., will include both classical and popular guitar ensembles, musical theatre groups, singers, pianists and a violinist.
A highlight will be a local duo consisting of Phil Marchand on acoustic guitar and Jonathan Hinds on acoustic guitar and percussion.
Known as Fiftieth Parallel, they have already made a name for themselves on the festival circuit.
A number of groups from the Raincoast Creative Performing Arts Studio in Campbell River, will be singing and acting musical theatre numbers in costume.
A group of five to eight year olds will perform You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, from Annie.
Four other groups, ranging in age from nine to eighteen, will perform music from the musicals Peter Pan, The Music Man, The Sound of Music and Enchanted.
Helga Hagen, who has been teaching classical guitar here for many years, is preparing a group of students for a trip to Scotland or California.
The students, all of whom are taking exams this year, will be performing a suite of Latin flavoured dances.
Other performers will include a small group from Pacifica Ukes, singers Mary Jo Wood and Grace Ribeiro, pianist Matthew Krell and the talented young fiddler Maddy Erickson.
For over 15 years, the Friends of Music have helped students attend a wide variety of summer programs, giving them the opportunity to meet other young musicians, and often to explore outside their area of concentration.
For example, a student who practiced piano diligently from September to June, had the chance to play the clarinet in an orchestra, or the saxophone in a jazz combo, for a few weeks in the summer.
Others, like Carter Johnson, last year’s winner, can study with other teachers and have the chance to play a piano concerto with a string quartet.
The letters students send to thank us for our help all comment on what a great musical experience these summer programs provide.
Admission to the March 15 concert is by donation.