© CYMC
O F F T H E B E AT E N PAT H CYMC finds its way to their Emerald Anniversary! COMOX VAL LE Y YOU T H M U SIC C ENT R E WITH DEEP ROOTS and continued growth, CYMC
service clubs and the Comox District Free Press got
has journeyed through many successes and challenges
behind the effort. A “Friends of CYMC” support group
in their 55 year history. It is with love and passion that
was formed that became the volunteer nucleus of the
they reach this special milestone with the incredible
growing organization.
enthusiasm to carry on for another 55 years. By the mid-70s a total of 500 students attended the six In 1965, when the Comox Valley Community Arts
week camp. “Summer Music in Courtenay” premiered
Council was formed to promote cultural, educational
and the faculty took on an international flavor. Pro-
and recreational activities, an early initiative was the
grams had expanded to include piano, voice, jazz, mu-
launching of an annual summer arts school. Beryl Re-
sical theatre, opera, dance and conducting. College ac-
gier, in 1966, invited the Vancouver Junior Symphony
credited courses were introduced in partnership with
(VJS) to the Comox Valley to perform its first concert,
Vancouver Community College and the National Film
with Simon Streatfeild conducting.
Board included CYMC in its film, “Musicanada”. Canada Council (of which Creech was a member) helped
The following year, the Courtenay Youth Music Camp
fund the Opera Program.
began as a centennial project of the VJS Society. With the support of S.D.71, Puntledge Park Elementary
Before the end of the decade, “Summer Music” ex-
hosted fifty-five students and five faculty members for
ploded into the community as student musicians per-
a two-week program.
formed in parks, schools, theatres, restaurants and street markets. Internationally acclaimed performers
By 1971, CYMC was gaining momentum. A large en-
such as the Purcell String Quartet, David Zafer, Robert
rollment (105) necessitated the move to GP Vanier
Silverman, Dave Robbins, Joel Quarrington, George
Secondary School. The local council, tourism groups,
Shearing and many more raised the young society’s
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