The Third Annual POPS in the Park brings together Williams Lake’s best bands and choirs. Join us in Boitanio Park Sunday June 16th and support our ‘Music for Youth’ fundraiser.
Poster art by Steve Harkies
Exemplifying the best that Community Arts can offer, POPS in the Park shows you a good time all while raising funds for young people who need financial assistance with their music lessons. Featuring some of the hardest working bands and choirs in town, the music presented at POPS blends styles as diverse as the Celtic Fiddle, big brass band dance tunes, complex choral vocal composition and musical theatre. Sounds exciting, yes? And as the focus of the event is raising money for music lessons, the event also features star performers from this year’s Cariboo Festival competition. These young individuals dedicate themselves to their lessons throughout the year, boldly putting their performances on the line for professional adjudication from some of the province’s well-known professional artists.
Recently, two of the music teachers involved in our ‘Music for Youth’ program shared their experiences working with the students who receive the subsidies. Angela Sommers of Angelkeys Studios and Ingrid Johnston, Artistic Director with the Cariboo Chilcotin Youth Fiddle Society, have both taken POPS program students since 2017. Each of them remarked that students who receive the funds take their lessons seriously, committing to the workload and coming to class prepared. “I take the students level of commitment into account when I encourage them to apply,” she notes. She feels that the POPS subsidies level the playing field for families in the Cariboo, ensuring that kids with talent and drive aren’t left behind.
Ingrid Johnston sees the work ethic in her POPS students, as well. With an attitude of gratitude, they apply themselves and consistently work to improve. As Ingrid sees it, the funds raised through POPS in the Park are a beautiful gift to the community. “I can’t tell you what a blessing this program has been for families that are struggling to give the gift of music to their children,” she says. “Whatever rough patch they are going through, POPS in the Park has been there to help out. Whether it be financial strain from the Wildfires, or a single working parent happy for the hand up, it has been heart-warming to see the generosity of the community.”
Both Ingrid and Angela point out the value of music in young people’s lives, as a force for learning, creative expression and possibly career choices. The music students become involved in community, while some strive to perform for the public. These opportunities lead to growth and life-skills, and everyone involved in the POPS program believes this is a worthy investment.
Eloise Hobi wows young audience members with her performance from A Little Mermaid last year. See her again at Boitanio Park, Sunday June 16.
This is a community driven program, with businesses and individual donors like you making it all happen. Our partners at the Boys and Girls Club assist in the application process for families who wish to receive the subsidies, and coordinate group music lessons whenever the funds allow.
It all comes together on Father’s Day this year. Have you been pondering what to do to celebrate your dear old dad or grandad? POPS in the Park provides everything you need to make it a great day. This family friendly event gives you something to feel good about. We’ve already mentioned the great music, but did you know we also have a Barbecue to whet your whistle with? Run by the Boys and Girls Club and their volunteers, all profits from the barbecue go into the music lessons fund, as do any donations you make on the day. We even issue tax receipts for donations over $20 and over!
We’d love to see you in Boitanio Park on Sunday June 16th at 1 pm. Bring some chairs or picnic blankets, and soak in the dulcet tones of some of our community’s most talented musicians.
Music Provided by Lake City Secondary Band, Cariboo Chilcotin Youth Fiddle Society, Williams Lake Community Band, Quintet Plus, Synergy, Cariboo Gold Dance Band and Cariboo Festival performers!
A huge thanks to our sponsors this year:
Angelkeys Music Studio Evergreen Service Partners
Heartland Toyota Horizon Climate Control
Kit & Kaboodle Kornak & Hamm Pharmacy
The Goat and Cariboo Country Radio Vanderburgh & Company
Zone 4 Hairstyling Williams Lake Junior Cadets
Williams Lake Tribune