OFF THE BEATEN PATH

© CYMC

OFF THE BEATEN PATH CYMC finds its way to their Emerald Anniversary!

COMOX VALLEY YOUTH MUSIC CENTRE

WITH DEEP ROOTS and continued growth, CYMC has journeyed through many successes and challenges in their 55 year history. It is with love and passion that they reach this special milestone with the incredible enthusiasm to carry on for another 55 years.

In 1965, when the Comox Valley Community Arts Council was formed to promote cultural, educational and recreational activities, an early initiative was the launching of an annual summer arts school. Beryl Regier, in 1966, invited the Vancouver Junior Symphony (VJS) to the Comox Valley to perform its first concert, with Simon Streatfeild conducting.

The following year, the Courtenay Youth Music Camp began as a centennial project of the VJS Society. With the support of S.D.71, Puntledge Park Elementary hosted fifty-five students and five faculty members for a two-week program.

By 1971, CYMC was gaining momentum. A large enrollment (105) necessitated the move to GP Vanier Secondary School. The local council, tourism groups, service clubs and the Comox District Free Press got behind the effort. A “Friends of CYMC” support group was formed that became the volunteer nucleus of the growing organization.

By the mid-70s a total of 500 students attended the six week camp. “Summer Music in Courtenay” premiered and the faculty took on an international flavor. Programs had expanded to include piano, voice, jazz, musical theatre, opera, dance and conducting. College accredited courses were introduced in partnership with Vancouver Community College and the National Film Board included CYMC in its film, “Musicanada”. Canada Council (of which Creech was a member) helped fund the Opera Program.

Before the end of the decade, “Summer Music” exploded into the community as student musicians performed in parks, schools, theatres, restaurants and street markets. Internationally acclaimed performers such as the Purcell String Quartet, David Zafer, Robert Silverman, Dave Robbins, Joel Quarrington, George Shearing and many more raised the young society’s

profile. The concept of students performing side by side with faculty was introduced, setting CYMC apart from all other music camps of the day. In addition, an endowment was created with the Vancouver Foundation to fund scholarships and bursaries. Charles Pearce became the first president of the newly formed society in the late 70s.

The 80s was a decade of continued growth but also of belt-tightening. Mr. Pearce implemented restructuring and tight controls over expenditures to deal with the deficit he inherited from the rapid expansion through the seventies. Timothy Vernon conducted for the first time in 1981 and by 1985 was named Artistic Director when Robert Creech stepped down.

Jack Kent deserves special mention. When the accumulated debt was daunting and the Board of Directors voted to shut down the society and disperse the assets, Jack stood alone to say no. His efforts to rescue CYMC went far and beyond as he rallied to its defense and then stayed on to steward the turnaround.

New programs included children’s opera and Highland Bagpipe, and by mid-decade, a record 8,300 individuals attended the CYMC performances. CYMC’s concerts were recorded for CBC’s “Arts National” program and a winter concert series was launched.

The major challenge that CYMC faced through the years was where to host the camp. School District 71 provided this service for many years but accommodations were necessarily make-shift. In 1999 the camp found a more stable home at North Island College with Stephanie Spiers as Executive Director and Yariv Aloni, Artistic Director.

Betty Anne Hampton became Executive Director in 2000 with three very ambitious goals: 1. to eliminate the sizeable inherited debt from a failed location venture at Mount Washington; 2. To develop a regional community orchestra; and 3. To produce a “Symphony by the Sea” for CYMC’s 40th Anniversary. With the help of many staff members and musicians, she succeeded in all three goals.

In 2008 Betty Anne left for other pursuits and there ensued several years where the Board of Directors stepped in to manage the Society (at times meeting weekly). The financial crisis of 2008-2009 resulted in a substantial loss of registration which forced the cancellation of the Classical camp and Jazz. Nevertheless, with perseverance and with careful attention to finances the tide finally turned. In 2011, Kate Ramsey stepped down from the Board of Directors to fill the empty position of Executive Director. Her dedication, tireless effort and personal financial investment have all allowed CYMC to survive difficult times.

In 2012, CYMC boasted its first ever all Island musical theatre faculty: Lori Mazey, Lindsay Sterk and Heather Burns. Starting with “Les Miserables” and “Fiddler on the Roof” in 2016, this talented and beloved artistic team raised the bar for performance and education in theatre arts. When in 2014, the Classical Program faced cancellation due to a mysterious lack of registration, John Littlejohn, a consummate violinist with years of music camp experience in his background, was hired to bring it back from the brink.

For over 50 years, CYMC has provided excellent music education in Classical, Jazz and Musical Theatre and has served as a platform for our young musicians, as well as esteemed professionals, to perform for the benefit of the Comox Valley community. But, as with any Arts organization, there is always the need for continued growth and development.

CYMC continues its tradition of bringing Canada’s finest musicians to Courtenay and the Comox Valley. At 30 years of delivering programming, CYMC had over 10,000 students through its doors and alumni in every major symphony orchestra in Canada.

Christine Baxter, current CYMC Executive Director, says the programming exploded back on the scene post-Covid. “This year, CYMC wrapped up the energetic run of ‘Newsies’ for their Musical Theatre programming. Newies came together in three weeks, with youth at the helm and delivered a spirited return to the stage. Jazz and Classical programming made a strong comeback with thanks to the Cookers Quintet and Cascadia Strings at the helm of the Intensive Classical Program," she says.

"Youth gain so much incredible experience. We are always on the hunt for volunteers. From professionals, like lawyers and accountants, to general help from people who want to see an expanded footprint of classical, jazz and musical theatre in the valley!"