The Cowichan Music Festival celebrates its 75th year with several special student performances in the categories of Dance, Piano, Vocal Choral and Musical Theatre Voice, and Instruments and Band to be performed at a variety of venues in Duncan between Feb. 12, and March 4.
“We are all so thrilled to be celebrating 75 years,” said CMF president Carol Newington. “There have been so many people, all volunteers, over the decades who have made huge contributions to the running of this yearly festival. Without the volunteers we would not be able to run the festival. We are very lucky to have donors whose generous contributions help the youth continue their passion for the Arts.”
The Cowichan Music Festival was founded in 1949 by an enthusiastic parent teacher auxiliary and had humble beginnings of just 50 entries for its initial festival. This year’s festival has a total of 732 entries with 666 regular entries, and 66 prepaid drop-ins for their dance master classes, showing how important this festival and the arts are to the community.
The festival kicks off with three performances in Classical Voice at the Duncan United Church on Feb. 12, at 9 a.m., and 1 and 7 p.m., followed by choirs performing at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on Feb. 13, at 9:30 a.m.
On Feb. 20, enjoy either a 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. performance of students playing the soothing sounds of strings at Duncan United Church. Patrons can get swept away by the elegance of dance at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre from Feb. 20 to 25. Students will be tickling the ivories at Duncan United Church on Feb. 21 at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m, Feb. 22 at 11:30 a.m., and Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Musical Theatre will hit the Duncan United Church stage at 11 a.m. on Feb. 24, while the bands grace the CPAC stage this leap year on Feb. 29 at 9:15 a.m.
“All musical arts are such an important aspect of learning for young people,” said Newington. “We are so encouraged that a number of our youth, over the decades, have gone on to careers in the arts. Each year adjudicators choose performers to go on to the next level. The Provincials, run by Performing Arts BC, is the next step forward for these delegates. This year the Provincials will be held in Fort St. John, June 2-6.”
This year’s Gala concert will be held on March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Duncan United Church and the Highlights concert will take place at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on March 4 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for all sessions at the Duncan United Church are $2, while those at CPAC are $3. Gala Concert tickets are $5 at the door, and tickets for this year’s Highlights concert are available to purchase at the CPAC box office. All proceeds go towards putting on the festival each year, and donations pay for awards for the performers.
“The Cowichan Music Festival is dedicated to encouraging the youth of our community to be involved with the arts no matter their situation,” said Newington. “We hope that they will have thoroughly enjoyed their experience and will be happy with what they have accomplished. Everyone is welcome to participate.”
