Season's Greetings!
Greetings!
 
The importance of connecting with one another during the holiday season holds more meaning to me this year.

I’ll tell you why.

My wife Kim and I spent the summer holidays in the UK. I followed my nose and made a wrong turn, which turned out to be the right turn. It led to a wool mill. You might know that I enjoy spinning yarns before a concert, but you might not know that I actually love to spin yarn on a spinning wheel as well. It is my new pandemic hobby. 
 
The mill owners, David and Ruth, enthusiastically showed us around the mill and farm. My spinning wheel came out of the car and Ruth played her trombone for me. That same night I was helping to make skeins and we popped up our tent in their yard. A new friendship was born.
 
Last week, David and Ruth were shorthanded. Since my resignation from the Moscow Symphony Orchestra last March, I have a bit more time at hand and decided to go back to the UK to help out for a few days. I helped spin the wool on professional machines and looked after their 150 Dorset Down sheep. The flock followed me into fresh fields, like an orchestra.
 
The next morning, we drove through the Dorset countryside, with my cello in the Land Rover, to the Hogwarts-like private school of their children. I was kindly asked to join the school orchestra and choir in their dress rehearsal for the Christmas concert. We sang and played about light and peace. 

The kids really touched me with their dedication and I shared a few words at the end of rehearsal, talking about how different Christmas will be this year for so many Ukrainian children and how important it is to not get used to peace. It's not a given, it’s a choice we make every day!

A boy in the choir brushed a tear away. Later, I learned he was a Ukrainian refugee. 
 
In June, the PRISMA students will come to the qathet region once again, from all corners of the world. They have different cultures and speak different languages, but they share the universal language of music – with each other, and with you. This is one of the most inspiring things for me at PRISMA. More than ever, we need connection. I am doing Christmas concerts in and around town with Moira Hopfe-Ostensen this week for that reason.
 
Last but not least, I would like to thank you for your support of PRISMA. Together we make it possible. If you wish to support us before the end of the year, please follow this link. 
 
I wish you a meaningful holiday season, filled with peace, joy and music. 
Arthur Arnold
Artistic Director, PRISMA Festival & Academy
2022 Holiday Concerts

Join Arthur Arnold (cello) and Moira Hopfe-Ostensen (piano) for a series of FREE holiday concerts in the qathet region:

December 17 – 11:30 am

December 21 – 2:00 pm
Coastal Breeze Village

December 22 – 7:00 pm

All events are free to attend. Donations for Powell River Food Bank gratefully accepted.
No need to be sheepish...

It may be nearing the end of 2022, but it's not too late to lend your support to PRISMA. All donations over $25 will be eligible for a tax receipt. Please click here for more info.
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!

Legacy Gifts

Monty Tyrwhitt-Drake
Mary & Doug Henry Foundation
Rudy Van Der Maeden Foundation
Harry & Louise Lundquist
RBC Dominion Securities (Brian Balfe, Don Somers)

Musical Merit Fund

Anonymous
Brendan & Heather Allen
Chris Coppin
Linda Lea Harvey
Mary Henry
Heron Family, in memory of Michael
Nancy & Alex Hollmann
Josh & Lin Inman
Lili Kopala
Michael & Liz Matthews
Ian & Judy McIntyre
Irene O’Connor
Sharon Thomas
Brian Walker & Dona Campbell
Michelle Zarin
   in memory of Alan Blazek
   in memory of Bruce Conte
   in memory of Mike Finnigan
   in memory of Larry Harlow
   in memory of Mick Brigden
   in memory of Barney Glaser
   in memory of Herbie Herbert
   in memory of Ismael Rivera Jr.
   in memory of Georgie Wein
   in memory of Jack Hylen

Maestro′s Circle

Deux Mille Foundation
Illahie Foundation
Toni & Hildegard Cavelti
Nancy & Alex Hollmann
Monty Tyrwhitt-Drake
Encore Club
Mike Robinson & Lynn Webster
Heron Family, in memory of Michael
Michelle Zarin

Benefactor

Anonymous
Brendan & Heather Allen
Brian Balfe & Marie Trudeau
Barry Bennett & Anne Leaman
Patrick Brabazon & Jane Cameron
John Bruin & Susan Garrett
Chris Coppin
Linda Lea Harvey
Mary Henry
Jacqueline Koerner
Johanna & Randy Moore
Alane Wilson & Terry Norreault
Sherry Sakamoto
Paul Schachter & Denise Reinhardt
Terry & Lorraine Stokes
Sharon Thomas
Brian Walker & Dona Campbell

Patron

Lyn Adamson & Kathie Mack
Arthur Arnold & Kim Stokes
Kim & Charles Barton-Bridges
John & Janice Bennett
Dennis & Kay Bremner
Beth Carter
Lee Coulter & Doreen Berrington
Steven Grover & Susan Dawkins
Sean & Ruth Dees
Martha Lou Henley
Christien Kaaij
Michael Keating
Meriko Kubota
James & Norah LeClare
Fern & Darryl Magnus-Brown
Robert & Hannah Main
Michael & Liz Matthews
Rudy North
Irene O’Connor
Andy & Ashley Rice
Jeanette & Barry Scott
Karl & Christy Siegler
Gillian Turner & Ross McMillan
Marguerite Unger
Friend

Terri & Steve Beck
Kim Beno
Marnie Carter
Paul Champion
Hector & Donna Beauchesne
Ann Cowan-Buitenhuis
Doug Dobson & Winnie Snow
Frank Metcalf
Michael Geller
Mary Kallal
Mary Luckman
Jean MacKenzie
Mary Doherty
Dr. Stan & Jean Lubin
Barry & Barbara McBride
Shirley Milligan
Richard Montagna
John & Barb Myers
William Pallot
Mara Park
Martin Peh
Nicholas Simons
Sheila Shaw
Tracy Satterfield
Michael Slade & Ulli Wolff
Lot Sparham
Elizabeth Vreede

Duo

Anonymous
Barry Auger
Bev Bligh
Diane Bolton
Dr. Leta Burachailo
Afton Cayford
Kim Code
Laverne Dalziel
Marie Dent
Wendy Drummond
Max & Winnie Ferrier
Fraser & Madeleine Field
Bruce Findlay
Ruth Gibson
Pat Greyell
Norm & Ellie Guindon
Matt & Desiree Gustavson
Anne Harrison
Richard Hoath
Josh & Lin Inman
William & Heather Ireland
Susan Jackson
Patricia Jones
Mary MacDonald
Jennifer MacMillen
Heather Maximea
Pat McDonald
Helen MacKenzie
Ian & Judy McIntyre
Allan McMurray
Marcia Mehaffey
Russ & Lyn Morrison
Diane O’Connor
Margaret Phillips
Hindaleah Ratner
Joyce Relyea
Susie & Bob Rice
Donna Siu
Judi Spencer
Pat Thompson
John Thorne
Anne & Bill Trussler
Carolyn Walton-Kay
William Jeffries

Solo

Herb Auerbach
Heather Baldwin
Anne Cameron
Patty Catcher
Joan Christensen
David Clark
Mélie DeChamplain
Rae Fitzgerald
Melanie Friesen
Debra Gill
Steven Goodman
Lynda Harris
Kathryn Hjorleifson
Rowena Huberman
CaroleAnn Leishman
Diane McKendrick
Eleanor Montour
Maura O’Hea
Gareth Sirotnik
Russell Storry
Jo Thomas
Jeannie Thompson
Annabelle Tully-Barr

An additional note of gratitude to all who have joined us as members, donors, sponsors and volunteers since this list was compiled.
Presenting Sponsor
Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Government Support
Foundation Support
Community Friends
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