ABOUT GUELPH MUSICFEST

In October 2006, I learned that the venerable Guelph Spring Festival would not be presenting another season. Almost on a whim, I dreamed up a small recital series that would make use of the Recital Hall of the Guelph Youth Music Centre. This intimate space, seating only 180, was specifically designed for chamber music and recitals. The sound of the hall is warm and resonant.

The series premiered on Saturday May 12, 2007 with soprano Theresa Thibodeau teaming up with husband/baritone John Medina, tenor Glyn Evans, and pianist Betty Maher. My dear friend, pianist Valerie Tryon performed an absolutely amazing recital, demonstrating a high level of musicianship and virtuosity rarely heard. Violinist Annette-Barbara Vogel gave another outstanding recital.

The series was rounded out with a pair of "partnership" concerts, one a Benefit Recital for the Suzuki String School of Guelph featuring SSSG alumni cellist Adam Riggs and violinist Meredith McCallum, with Stephanie Mara and me doing the piano accompanying, as well as a concert by the Guelph Youth Singers.

It took me a long time to learn how to market the festival properly, and in spite of glorious coverage by the local media, I was on the verge of cancelling the series in March. (At that point, I had only sold 12 tickets!) But after a successful email and apparently all-important snail mail campaign, there was a last minute flurry of ticket sales, and in the end the series was an unexpected success. Thank you to all the people who volunteered to help me in this venture. Thank you, Guelph, for supporting this new series!

Season Two’s theme was Beethoven & Brahms, and every concert featured at least one masterpiece by one of those great composers. And while many of the performers were Guelph natives, most are travelled a long way to perform in Musicfest—pianist Robert Silverman from Vancouver, the Afiara String Quartet from San Francisco, Sadie Fields from Manchester, UK. It was a great season!

Now here we are in SEASON THREE! And it's Mendelssohn's 200th Birthday, with all the Artist Series performers featuring at least one work by the brilliant composer. And it’s still me running the show, and keeping my fingers crossed that my friends and supporters will come out to help again, buying tickets, stacking chairs, putting up posters. I've always wanted this series to be a grassroots affair, and I hope it stays that way for a long time. I’ve gotten to know and like many members of the audience (even though I am “name challenged”), and I appreciate every one of you! I hope to see you at the concerts, and if you offer to help, I’ll gladly say, "yes, please.”

Ken Gee, artistic director