When some of the youngsters in North Valley Music School heard about the school’s playathon, they panicked. “Some of the kids thought they’d have to play all day,” explained Cameron Blake, Executive Director. Much to the students’ relief, they are each just playing a piece or two.
This Saturday, the North Valley Music School celebrates their 10th anniversary with a playathon in Mountain Mall. Over 100 musicians – students and faculty members–will be performing from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. “It’ll be a festival atmosphere with two stages and lots going on,” said Blake. “We’re planning on a high energy day and a lot of fun.”
Two stages – one near the Sportsman entry doors and the other at the Bargain Barn entrance—will showcase music school talent free for parents, families, and the public. Door prizes that include symphony, Peter Pan, and lift tickets will be given away every half hour.
Student performances are schedule on both stages from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring 11 different instruments such as harp, guitar, violin, piano, cello, and flute. Following the student musicians, the school plans to cut the anniversary cake.
Several special performances are also scheduled. At 10:15 a.m., the public is invited to join in a community drum circle. The school’s faculty will pull out their fiddles for a bluegrass session at 12:30, and the Good Wood Trio finishes the day with a show at 3 p.m.
The day will also feature the final projects from school’s new electronic program that started its first class this fall with five teens. Each wrote, edited, performed, and recorded a composition using a keyboard and microphone connected to a computer. New electronic music sessions, including one for adults, launch in January when the new term begins. The Whitefish Community Foundation also funded the school’s new Groovy Music software for teaching music composition to 5-12 year olds.
Part of the playathon is a fundraiser for the nonprofit school. Kids are collecting pledges, and donors can sponsor student performances. “But it’s foremost a celebration,” said Blake.