The BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association will hold its first conference in several years at the Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville. The event runs Sept. 16 and Sept. 17.
‘Sound Vision 2022’ will include the BC Piano Competition and a keynote address and masterclass by Edwin Gnandt, an adjudicator with more than 30 years experience in his career who has played piano in cities across Canada and the world.
“It’s a jam-packed weekend,” said Patricia Plumley, organizer.
The weekend will include sessions by different clinicians, including Heather Walker, a horn player who has played with the Vancouver Island Symphony. Walker will teach the Alexander technique, which is used by pianists to address back pain, wrist pain, carpal tunnel, tendinitis and other repetitive strain injuries.
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There will also be a session by Rena Sharon about how the collaborative process in music reflects the positive aspects of community in general and a session by David Duke on the history of women composers.
Fiddle player Shamma Sabir, who has a master’s degree in psychology, will speak about the connection between music training and brain development. There will also be a round table discussion with all the clinicians as well.
The weekend will wrap up with a banquet and the piano competition finals. The competition will include Rafael Brisebois, Edward Duan, Lucas Hung, Easton Roy and Rachel Wei. Each one will perform a 30-minute recital.
“Some of these students go on to be, first of all the winners go on to nationals, the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers,” Plumley. She added that in the past, students in this competition later are featured on CBC’s 25 Under 25.
This will be the first year the conference has virtual attendance as an option.
Tickets for individual sessions and the piano competition are available online.