In the darkest of times, we need the dreamers most—the poets, the writers, the artists, the music makers. Creators are the burning torches that light our way, that remind us of all that is beautiful and authentic in the world. The only other source of peace and beauty is nature and, when you combine music and nature, you get Westben.
Do what’s Good for You
Music and nature have similar effects on the brain. Research shows listening to music and spending time in natural settings can reduce anxiety, pain and blood pressure, while improving your mood, sleep quality, mental alertness, and memory. Westben’s twenty-sixth season features 37 performances and experiences. Enjoy these unique amalgamations of music and nature in Westben’s bucolic setting.
Dare to Dream
Dreaming underlies the wonderfully diverse dance card that Westben presents for this summer’s Dare to Dream season.
Says Artistic Director, Brian Finley: “This summer focuses on the concept of dreams – there are so many ways to dream. Dorothy is dreaming about her perfect, over the rainbow world in Oz, and the Phantom from Phantom of the Opera dreams of recreating something beautiful out of darkness. You’ve got Illia Ovcharenko dreaming about a better world from his perspective as a young Ukrainian pianist—all these people with different world views showing us how different the world can be. A multiplicity of voices gives the world such amazing dimension.
This is not just entertainment, these artists have honed their skills over a lifetime of hard work and when you come to see them, you create a memory, a hope and a new perspective on life.”
The season offers a smorgasbord of talent from the golden oldies like Lighthouse and Colin James, to newbies you’ll be thrilled to say you saw before they hit the big time.
Some toe-tapping favourites this year include singer song writers Matt Andersen, Tim Baker, Rose Cousins, Kaia Kater, and Andy Forgie. Continuing its tradition of support for classical music, Westben hosts Montreal Symphony’s cellist Brian Manker, Artistic Director, pianist Brian Finley, and the young Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko. Classical 103.1 FM radio host Daniel Vnukowski and international Canadian opera star Adrianne Pieczonka perform a Gershwin Celebration which naturally includes Rhapsody in Blue. Look forward to Phantom of the Opera with the cast that brought you Les Mis.
Choral fans have plenty to enjoy with a capella harmonies of Chanticleer and That Choir. Jazz sensation Dominque Fils-Aimé is a must as is the boogie woogie piano of Michael Kaeshammer. Prince Edward County’s Brian Barlow Big Band brings a program celebrating a hundred years of Oscar Peterson. Comedian Ron James brings a little whimsy to the program.
The annual Performer Composer Residency welcomes artists from around the world to gather, share their practices and perform.
Get up and dance to rock band Lighthouse or under the stars on Willow Hill to Guelph sensation, SHEBAD. The Rowdymen, with two stars from the Come from Away musical, will share stories and songs from Newfoundland while the meadow turns into an East Coast Kitchen party featuring Ken Tizzard & Music for Goats and Melissa Payne between shows.
Westben hosts Natural Balance, featuring friends from Alderville and Curve Lake First Nations. Catch Inuk singer songwriter Susan Aglukark or four-time Canadian Folk Music Award Winners Twin Flames who bring the Quaqtaq and Maniwaki magic!
This year, Westben is augmenting their shows with experiences that feature incredible meals supplied by local caterers, tai chi in the meadow, forest bathing, guided garden tours and so much more! Don’t miss it!
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Take a Walk on the Wild Side? Jeff Keary
In most circumstances we are programmed to seek out novelty. When a new business opens, prospective customers respond to publicity and explore whatever is on offer. When Bocado, opened in Picton it was featured on our front cover. But let’s imagine Bocado wasn’t a restaurant, but a new composition by a contemporary musician, what then? To be honest, I doubt there would be the same response. Why should this be?
Nowadays the choice of music is enormous, too much for several life times in fact. Vast amounts of historic music exists as sheet music, vinyl, cassette tapes, cds and now downloads and streaming, not to mention innumerable radio stations. At the other end of the scale, technology has lowered the bar to music production, now anyone can make ‘music’ in their basement with a computer and a couple of programs. The simple fact is that there is more music available to be listened to, than there is time available to listen to it. Competition for attention is intense, whilst the time available for listening to music is under pressure from the competing demands of work and family responsibilities. Music has never been more available with portable devices and ‘music’ played almost everywhere in supermarkets, elevators, malls etc. etc. To my mind, ubiquitous exposure devalues music to ‘musak’…the kind of musicthat does not even require to be listened to. I suspect there is a danger we are becoming immunized to the real power of music because it is always there, and seduced by the convenience technology provides, we have all perhaps forgotten that the fullest and best experience of music is live music.
Venues, particularly smaller ones are disappearing, and that means opportunities to hear live music will tend to become concentrated on those of established performers in major urban centres. We will have to travel greater distances and pay considerably more to enjoy the privilege of live music. Therefore we should treasure and support Westben, to keep this precious jewel in our midst. (Most people reading this will fortunately be within a comfortable hour’s drive of Westben.)
Music has played a significant role in our development. Apart from perhaps percussion instruments, the earliest instruments appear to have been bone flutes, possibly used to emulate bird song to help catch them. Music in one way or another conferred evolutionary advantage. As a communal activity, it requires co-ordination and a mastery of rhythm and timing. Knowing your place and playing your part could have fostered crucial skills and communication helpful in hunting. Cave paintings are often found in caves noted for their acoustics and it is speculated that some form of communal ceremonial events may have taken place. Quite clearly our sense of hearing and our ability to interpret sounds were crucial to our survival: the difference between a rustle in the grass that might be a mouse or a poisonous snake, could be the difference between life and death.
As noted above, there is no shortage of music to listen too, so why should anyone bother to seek out new music? Typically people err toward the familiar. We tend to like what we know but this can be a trap confining our musical choices what we have heard before. Pop music is written be conform to established norms with no nasty surprises. It’s hard to stray from ones’ comfort zone.
One infamous example of music being before its time was the first performance of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, its extreme novelty triggered a chaotic riot at the Parisian theatre where it was performed. But now, a hundred and twelve years later, there wouldn’t be that kind of a reaction and the Rite of Spring has become an established part of the classical repertoire. So perhaps it’s just a question of time?
I would like to encourage everyone to consider taking a few paces down the road less travelled and try something new. One simply cannot know how one will will react to a new experience until one gives it a chance. The purpose of music is not just entertainment and every now and then, we need to take a risk. The Performer – Composer Residency overseen by Ben Finley is one huge risk: ten musicians dropped into the melting pot until they come up with a collaborative composition to be performed on June 28. In economics, profit is described as the reward of risk, and I believe the same can be said of cultural experiences…if we don’t take a risk, we will never grow: we need to take a walk on the wild side occasionally.
“I’m particularly fascinated by the vital role of creative musicians today in fostering ecological attunement and offering antidotes to loneliness. Music nurtures deeply personal life forces in communal ways. Harnessing this power to reconnect us with the wonder of our surroundings—and as a means of cultivating care and belonging—feels both urgently needed and entirely possible.”
Ben Finley
