The Kiwanis Fraser Valley Music Festival Society organizers are getting ready for another spring filled with music.

The festival, which runs for about three weeks starting in mid-April, is now accepting applications. People interested in taking part must register by Feb. 3. Detailed information is available at www.kfv.ca.

And the public can see the outstanding talent at the honours performance June 10 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

The event was founded in the spring of 1999, becoming a non-profit society and registered charity in 2001.

The 2012 events include Junior & intermediate piano: April 16-21; senior piano: April 23-28; junior voice: April 16-18; intermediate & senior voice: April 23-28; junior & intermediate strings: April 19-20; senior strings & chamber groups: April 23-26; choirs: April 30 and May 3; vocal jazz ensembles and soloists: May 4; concert bands: May 14-18, 22-24; orchestras: May 10 & 11; jazz bands & combos: May 7-9; guitar: April 21; composition: April 21; and woodwinds: May 4 & 5

The society is a system partner of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Music Department. The Kiwanis Fraser Valley International Music Festival is held at Kwantlen's Langley campus as well as other Langley venues.

Over the past 12 years, the number of entries has steadily increased. The festival now hosts more than 6,000 participants. It is the second largest educational music festival in the province.

Go international

The second annual Multicultural Gala Dinner & Awards evening is this Saturday.

The purpose of this event is to recognize and celebrate what is taking place in this community with respect to multiculturalism. Awards are presented in three categories: Spirit of Cultural Diversity, Ambassador of Diversity and Innovative Projects (promoting diversity and inclusion).

The Jan. 28 event by the Langley International Festival is at Sunrise Banquet and Conference Centre, 56th Avenue and 188th Street.

The public can attend the gala. Tickets are $55 including tax.

The international festival takes place here each summer. This year it's set for Aug. 25 and 26 at Willoughby Community Park (beside the Langley Events Centre).

Each year organizers add new elements that showcase and celebrate the community.

More information about the festival, volunteer opportunities, the society that oversees it or the gala is available at www.internationalfestival.ca or by calling 604-514-2294.

Sister act

Harpists Miya and Kaori Otake come to the Rose Gellert Hall for a show Sunday afternoon.

The concert promises to present a powerful, vibrant program featuring works by Bach, Debussy, and Lara.

A pre-concert coffee and commentary with Elizabeth Bergmann, the Langley Community Music School artistic director, at 3 p.m., followed by the performance at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29.

"This unique performance is a must see this January," Bergmann said. "The audience can expect to enjoy the harp's wide range of sonic possibilities as the Otake sisters perform an intriguing program of mesmerizing duo harp literature."

One of the oldest stringed instruments dating back to pre-historic times, the harp has played an important role in nearly all cultures and in both secular and sacred occasions.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, England, Miya Otake is an active harpist contributing her talent in both performing and teaching. She has performed in Canada, the US, Europe, and Japan. She has performed recitals at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo and Carnegie Hall in New York.

Currently, she is teaching harp at the Langley Community Music School.

Kaori Otake has given solo recitals and concerto performances around the world. She has performed the Debussy Danses with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Handel Concerto with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra conducted by Ken Hsieh.

Some of her other highlight concerts includes appearances in the World Harp Congress in the Prize Winner Concert in Geneva and Focus on Youth in Tacoma. She was invited as a guest performer at the Carnegie Hall in New York in a harp duo with her sister, Miya Otake, and appeared in several television programs.

Tickets are available for $15 adults, $13 seniors and $10 students. Call the box office for tickets at 604-534-2848. The Rose Gellert Hall is at 4899 207 St.