Dear PRISMA,

As 2024 draws to a close, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past year and express our heartfelt gratitude.

Because of the generosity and support of our members, sponsors, patrons, audiences, volunteers, board members, and dedicated staff, PRISMA continues to flourish as a celebration of music, artistry, and community.

A special thanks also goes out to our students and guest artists from around the globe, whose talents were the heartbeat (and, of course, the highlight) of the 2024 PRISMA Festival & Academy.

Together, we continue to unite through our shared love of music.

As we prepare for another remarkable year, we invite you to join us in spreading the joy of music this holiday season.

From all of us at PRISMA, we wish you a warm and harmonious holiday and a bright, music-filled New Year.

A special greeting from the maestro

PRISMA co-founder and music director Arthur Arnold sends his warmest wishes from the UK, where he’s celebrating the season surrounded by friends and music – including playing cello at a Christmas service.

Click on the video to hear his heartfelt message for a joyful holiday season and a happy new year!

New! PRISMA Gift Cards – Perfect for the Holidays

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season?

Give the gift of music and unforgettable experiences with our new PRISMA Gift Cards!

Whether it’s for a music lover, a first-time attendee, or a seasoned patron, these gift cards can be redeemed for concert tickets, memberships, or PRISMA Merchandise

Share the joy of music with your loved ones today!

Purchase a gift card

And here are three more thoughtful ideas:

Classical Playing Cards created by cellist Megan Chartier (2017 PRISMA alumna), this deck of Inkermezzo playing cards features 54 portraits of classical composers hand drawn with black, gray, and white ink, and 24k gold foiling.

Maestro Socks made to size and inspired by colourful classical music compositions, these cozy socks are hand-crafted by PRISMA’s very own co-founder and music director, Arthur Arnold, on his vintage circular knitting machine.

Music Scores & CDs

Discover unique scores and recordings available for purchase from our distinguished PRISMA guest artists like Gordon Cherry, Marcus Goddard, and Pauline Oostenrijk.

Save the Date

PRISMA AGM

Be a part of the PRISMA community at PRISMA Festival & Academy's Annual General Meeting! Mark your calendar for Wednesday, February 26, 2025. The location will be announced soon, so stay tuned for updates. This is your chance to connect with fellow members and support the exciting future of PRISMA. RSVP information will be available in the new year!

Don't miss out on PRISMA in 2025

Tickets and passes for the 2025 PRISMA Festival (June 16-28) will go on sale in March, with early access to tickets and seat selection available for our members. Repertoire will include:

Mahler: Symphony No. 6
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 6
Berlioz: Les Nuits d’été
Mosolov: Symphony No. 3 *World Premiere* …and other exciting works

Additional details will be announced soon. In the meantime, click here to become a member or renew your membership.

News & Updates

Giving Tuesday Success – Thank You!

We are thrilled to share that this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign raised around $9,000 for our Musical Merit Fund, which provides critical support for the talented pre-professional musicians who attend PRISMA each year. This incredible achievement is a testament to the power of community and the shared belief in the transformative power of music.

If you missed the chance to contribute, it’s not too late to make a transformative gift while maximizing your tax benefits for 2024.

Every donation helps us nurture the stars of tomorrow. To learn more about the Musical Merit Fund, download our Case For Support PDF.

Arts Hub Progress

Excitement is building, rumours are flying, but we're very excited to officially confirm that the Townsite Market will be the new home base for PRISMA. We are soon to begin renovations on a 5,000-foot space on the upper floor, envisioned as a shared performing arts and cultural hub, fostering connections between diverse arts organizations and promoting economic growth. The project aims to facilitate collaboration and resource sharing among several arts organizations, festivals and ensembles in the qathet region. Once operational (estimated 2026), the main exhibition space will also be available for community rentals, offering a flexible venue with capacity for up to 250 people. PRISMA is very excited to share more details about the Arts Hub, its amenities, and its user groups in the new year once construction has begun.

Significant grant funding has been secured from BC Arts Council, Island Coastal Economic Trust, Powell River Community Forest, the Y.P. Heung Foundation, Illahie Foundation, Martha Lou Henley Foundation, and a federal source, but additional help is needed to make the arts hub a reality. Contact us to learn more about how you can contribute to this transformative project and support the future of the arts in the qathet region.

#FollowTheStudents (and guest artists)

If you're a regular on our social media pages, you'll already know that we love sharing the successes of our students and faculty. Here are some recent highlights from PRISMA alumni:

Mia Zamora (Clarinet, PRISMA 2018) for winning a clarinet position with the U.S. Navy Fleet Bands.

Martin Chalifour (Guest Artist, PRISMA 2018 & 2021) recently announced his retirement as Principal Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a position he's held since 1995.

Siping Guo (Bassoon, PRISMA 2018) is the new Principal Bassoon of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

PRISMA remembers Dr. Julia Levy, O.C.

We are saddened to share the news that longtime PRISMA board member Dr. Julia Levy accepted Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) on December 5, 2024. Julia was a distinguished researcher and professor at UBC and then became a pioneer in the biotechnology world. She was a co-inventor of the drug Visudyne, which became the first medical treatment for macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. She was a founder and CEO of QLT, one of Canada’s first billion-dollar biotechnology companies.

Julia was an invaluable part of the PRISMA community, offering thoughtful guidance, support, and generous contributions as both an advisor and donor, via her family foundation, ILLAHIE. Her influence extended to many other organizations and boards as well, where she made a lasting impact. Click here to read some beautiful memories shared by those who knew her best. Our sincere condolences go out to her husband, Ed, and family.

Sponsors & Supporters

The PRISMA Festival & Academy would not be possible without the generosity of individuals and organizations in Powell River, British Columbia, and beyond. Their support comes to us in a variety of ways, from sponsorship to in-kind donations to annual subscriptions. Thank you!

Our team is hard at work on tax receipts for 2024 contributions. A complete list of 2024 donors will be included in our Annual Report in February and in a future edition of our e-newsletter.

#WeArePRISMA | prismafestival.com