By Jared Gottselig

Local music program celebrates 20th anniversary

Jul 15, 2017 | 12:01 PM

Twenty ago Lisa Hornung had a vision of providing a music program for participants of any age or skill level. 

As a result, she founded the Summer School for the Solo Voice (SSSV). Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the program has hit an all time high attendance of 95 students ranging from eight to 84 years old

“[The high attendance] certainly speaks well for the necessity and the interest in having a program like this,” Hornung said. “We have that common denominator of loving music and wanting to know more about music or how to express ourselves more freely musically.”

The program consists of several different categories ranging from advanced singers and accompanists, jazz, musical theatre, and a general program.

Over the past two decades, the program has gained international attention, attracting students from all around the world and proficient staff members who have played in world-class symphonies.

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The willingness of these elite staff members to share their knowledge of music with anyone who wants to learn is one of the reasons Hornung credits for the program’s success.

“I think the attitude that music is for all, that everyone is welcome…I think that’s what’s very attractive,” she said. “I think it’s really important that we don’t audition. It doesn’t matter what your level of skill is. We take you where you are, and work really hard with you to try and bring you to another place that’s stronger than when you came.”

Throughout the past week, there have been a variety of recitals by the staff and each category of students including children, teen and adult ensembles and musical theatres, along with a production consisting of everyone involved in the program.

The performance wraps up at the Third Avenue United Church on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. with a choir performance from every age group and an opera ensemble followed by free ice cream cake.

jared.gottselig@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jgottsel