Kevin Park is on a musical mission to connect talented chamber music performers with the fans who love to hear them play.
And when he tells fellow musicians about the endeavour, their reaction usually hits a number of flat notes.
“They (musicians) tell me, ‘Kevin, we’ve tried that and it doesn’t work,’” said Park, who is a cellist and the director of Bridge Musicians International (BMI), the group he formed in 2012 to recruit talent for a series of concerts across the Lower Mainland.
So far, Park said he’s managed to prove the musical doubters wrong. And he’s hoping to continue doing that Nov. 7 at South Arm United Church, the venue of the next concert.
“Right from the very first concert we had back in 2012, we’ve had great audiences,” Park said, adding the gig at the Unitarian Church in Vancouver was filled to its 250-seat capacity — and then some.
“I couldn’t believe it. There were people even standing at the back of the room,” Park said. “And since then we haven’t played to audiences that are less than two-thirds full.”
Just how he’s managed to strike the right note with music lovers, Park said he’s not entirely sure, but feels the nature of chamber music — a form of classical music composed for a small group of instruments — compared to full, symphonic experiences, may have something to do with it.
“Chamber music is written and performed in a way you can hear the delicate melodies the composer intended much easier,” he explained. “Plus, we tend to play in pretty intimate surroundings where people can get close up.”
Whatever the reason, Park said his talented pool of musicians is extremely grateful for the opportunity to exhibit their skills which would deteriorate without regular practise.
“After you’ve paid for all the very expensive music lessons, attended years of schooling, most musicians are left with two options — both involve teaching music, either privately or in university,” he said.
But what about larger orchestras?
“How many times do you see calls for auditions to groups like the Vancouver Symphony? Maybe once every five years or so, and then it’s for just one or two positions,” Park said, adding he is constantly in search for new talent to fill out his group’s ranks.
“I make regular trips to see small concerts around the city to recruit people so I have a pool of talent, because not everyone in our group is available for our concerts,” Park said, adding BMI plays with around 14 musicians.
Tickets to the Nov. 7 concert in Richmond can be purchased by visiting bridgemusicians.com and clicking on the concerts tab. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $15 for students and seniors.
