Lunch-Hour Concert Series

By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: March. 31, 2012

Beginning April.4th, on the first Wednesday of each month, the Squamish Academy of Music  in downtown Squamish invited you for a 30 minute lunch-hour concert in support of Access Music Education (AME).

Doors open at noon, with the concert beginning at 12:30 pm and lasting approximately 30 minutes.

“We encourage everyone who lives and works downtown to bring your lunch to the Squamish Academy of Music and enjoy music while you eat,” said Melissa Braun, the principal of the Squamish Academy of Music.

There will be complimentary tea from local business, Nothing Finer, and coffee from The Zephyr Cafe at each concert.

Admission is by donation and all proceeds will support the Howe Sound Performing Arts Association program: Access Music Education.

The AME bursary fund provides financial assistance for Squamish students (K-12) who wish to pursue studies in performing arts.

Bursaries are awarded on the basis of individual commitment to studies and financial need.

Kelly Coubrough is working with Melissa Braun to organize the concerts.

“Kelly and I are both private music teachers, so we know how valuable this fund is to local students,” says Braun.

“I have several students who have received money from AME for private lessons and for participation in the Broadway or Bust camp. Many of the recipients either come from families with multiple children or are expanding their studies in the hopes of pursuing the arts after high school.”

Local musicians have generously donated their time for this worthy cause. The spring schedule is as follows:

Wednesday April, 4 – Meet (and listen to) your HSPAA executive!
Veronica McPhee, soprano (HSPAA Vice President)
Aaron Purdie, tenor (HSPAA President)
Colleen Koop, accompanist (HSPAA Board of Directors)

Wednesday, May 2nd – For the Love of Broadway!
Melissa Braun, soprano
Kelly Coubrough, soprano
Erik Musseau, accompanist

Wednesday, June 6th – Beneath the Folds
Mary Kastle, songwriter, jazz pianist

For more information contact the Squamish Academy of Music at 604-815-4482 or info@squamishacademyofmusic.com. To find out more about AME visit www.howesoundarts.ca.