For Art's Sake
Come hear Walter Martella
By Jessica Colasanto
By all accounts, when the Powell River Company created this town its owners were determined to infuse it with a strong musical tradition. Close to a century later, we continue to reap the rewards of their vision. The number and calibre of musicians who have contributed to this legacy is impressive, and far too great to fit into this column.
Walter Martella was raised in this tradition. His continuing commitment to it was evidenced at last month's Festival of the Performing Arts: the Grand Concert opened with his Boys Choir (which, under his direction, was recommended for the Provincials) and closed with the Academy Chamber Choir (of which he is the lead tenor.) In between, he accompanied several other performers on piano and even helped out as a stagehand. Squeezing extra practices into his already busy teaching and conducting schedule is something he's happy to do; helping others achieve their musical goals is important to him.
That attitude makes him the perfect conductor for the Powell River Community Band. Itself a community tradition, the band has been around since the 1960s--charter member Mike Parsons is still playing baritone horn with the group--and had existed prior to that in other forms since 1913. It's open to anyone in the community who can play an instrument. (The band meets Thursdays at 7:30 pm at the Powell River Academy of Music; anyone interested in joining is encouraged to drop in.)
"The band embodies what you hope a community is," says Martella. "It embodies the concept of diversity--age range, ability range, the cooperation of people from all different backgrounds." Some members are already excellent musicians and others are just beginning, but all enjoy the challenge of playing together in a supportive atmosphere.
On Saturday, April 17 at 7:30pm the Powell River Community Band will join forces with the award-winning Nanaimo Concert Band to give a performance at Academy Hall (7280 Kemano Street.) Years ago, the band would do exchanges in Sechelt and Comox, an enjoyable way to boost the ranks and play with a larger group. This will be the band's first exchange with the Nanaimo band, which is conducted by Franois Bouchard. Established in 1872, it's known as the oldest continuous community band in Canada. The evening promises to be a good one.
Martella will step into the spotlight with his trumpet on Friday, April 9 at 8 pm when he pairs with another Powell River prodigy, Don Thompson, for a highly anticipated event of the Academy Concert Series. The two played together here in 2007, as well as at the Victoria Conservatory of Music during the last two summers, so when Thompson stopped in to check out the new Steinway piano at the Academy of Music--already considering a performance with it, at the request of Don James--he suggested that Martella join him.
"He's a legend in Canadian jazz," says Martella, who thoroughly appreciates having an opportunity of this calibre right here at home. "I totally want to be a part of it."
Don James would since proclaim it "a concert made for Heaven." Surely the original owners of the Powell River Company would agree.
Tickets are available from the Powell River Academy of Music. Call 604-485-9633 or go online to PowellRiverAcademy.org.
