Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA) offers a unique program that prepares music students and young professionals for a career in orchestral performance. It is designed to assist classical musicians in obtaining the necessary tools to win a position in a professional orchestra. PRISMA hosts both university/conservatory students and professionals who want to receive training to enhance their audition skills and orchestral experience. The annual PRISMA Festival takes place each June in Powell River, British Columbia – located on the beautiful west coast of Canada. Since 2012, PRISMA has operated as a non-profit, charitable society, supported by its members, sponsors and donors both locally and abroad. The 2019 PRISMA Festival will run from June 17-29. The PRISMA Program includes: • Orchestral rehearsals • Concerts • Master classes • Sectionals • Private lessons • Forums • Audition Training • Orchestral Rehearsals The PRISMA Festival Orchestra rehearses daily. Repertoire is chosen to provide players with a broad experience in orchestral playing, musical interpretation and different styles. Concerts The PRISMA Festival Orchestra will prepare two full concert programs during PRISMA. Concerts will be performed in the Evergreen Theatre to an enthusiastic, sophisticated audience. The guest artists will perform a variety of chamber music concerts in which students occasionally participate. In addition, there will be performances by student ensembles. Master Classes PRISMA students will further develop their skills in master classes with the guest artists. During the master classes, students have the opportunity to play for and listen to colleagues under dedicated guidance. Sectionals Students take part in sectional rehearsals led by the guest artists or by the music director. Solutions will be discussed for specific challenging sections of orchestral repertoire. Private Lessons During the private lessons, students will work on selected repertoire, concertos and orchestral excerpts. Guest artists will address the specific needs of individual students to improve their skills and techniques. Students prepare 3-5 excerpts from a list of audition requirements for solo and tutti jobs in major orchestras worldwide. Audition Training Preparation for a successful audition is a very important aspect of the PRISMA program. During PRISMA, students will take part in four auditions. At the beginning of each week there will be auditions for placement in the orchestra. At the end of each week, students will take part in ‘live auditions’ to improve their skills and gain more experience. The guest artists, consisting of musicians who have principal positions in world-renowned orchestras, will train students to become more comfortable with the process of auditioning. Students will play a first and second round of a ‘live audition’ and also have an opportunity to sit on the jury panel. During the first week the audition will be behind a screen, like a ‘first round’ and in the second week the audition will be open, like a ‘second round’. All private lessons, master classes and forums will help students prepare for these auditions. The experience will be far more important than the specific result of the audition. Being a member of the jury will give students the opportunity to experience “the other side” which will improve their own presentation/performance in an audition.