FOREWORD

The Council of the International Choral Kathaumixw takes pleasure

in presenting this syllabus for Canada’s first-ever international festival
for children’s and youth choirs to be held July 3-6, 1984 in Powell
River, British Columbia, Canada.

Located on the ‘‘Sunshine Coast’’, about 80 air-miles north of
Vancouver, Powell River nestles against the shores of Georgia Strait,
which separates the Province’s mainland from Vancouver Island and
the Pacific Ocean. The rugged Coast Mountains provide a scenic
backdrop to this community of 20,000, which is home to one of the
world’s largest newsprint mills.

It is also home to the internationally-acclaimed Powell River Boys’
Choir, which has won awards from the Canadian and British
Broadcasting Corporations. Under the direction of Don James, the
Choir has toured extensively, performing in Germany, Mexico, Poland
England, Wales, Austria, United States and Canada.

The Salish Indian word Kathaumixw ( pronounced Ka-thou-me-wh)
meaning ‘‘a gathering together of different peoples’, has been
adopted for this festival. All participants are given free hospitality in
homes of people in Powell River and the surrounding district. They are
assured of a warm and friendly reception from their hosts as well as
from the many people attending Kathaumixw.

Competitors will receive a constructive, artistic assessment of their
efforts by an international panel of adjudicators, who are experts in
their own special fields of study. Public performances by all
participating choirs will highlight the festival with massed choir
rehearsals culminating in a gala performance. Conductors’ sympos-
iums will also provide a forum for an interchange of musical expertise.

The International Choral Kathaumixw extends a warm welcome to
all people who wish to join us in fostering international goodwill and

understanding through music.

Dal Matterson, Chairman
International Choral Kathaumixw