A new music festival held at the University of Western Ontario will give students and audiences an opportunity to look at music from every angle when the first edition of the Western 360 Summer Music Festival takes place from the 10th through the 17th of August in London, Ontario.
Organized by Western’s Don Wright Faculty of Music in honor of Canada’s 150th anniversary, Western 360 is intended to be a “an all-around experience for aspiring young musicians,” festival executive director Thea Boyd said during a recent conversation. “The application deadline is March 19, but the audition process is extremely easy and not at all stressful,” she added.
For the first edition, string players (violin, viola, cello) in grades 11 and 12, and students in all years of undergraduate study are encouraged to apply. Boyd noted that preference is given to applicants who are artistically inclined, who are looking to be global citizens, and are curious about how to break out from traditions. In addition to chamber music coaching, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of health and wellness activities — Tai Chi, Alexander Technique, and yoga — specifically curated for the well-rounded musician. Click here to access an online application.
This summer’s faculty will include violinists Scott St. John, Annette-Barbara Vogel, Geoff Nuttall, cellist Thomas Wiebe, and pianist Stephan Sylvestre, as well as the ensemble Made in Canada (Elissa Lee, violin, Sharon Wei, viola, Rachel Mercer, cello, and Angela Park, piano).
Chamber music performances will include First Nations drum circle, guest artists, Western University faculty, and festival students. Award-winning London fiddler Shane Cook will be on-hand for an opening night jam as well as a screening of John Beder’s Composed, a documentary film that examines performance anxiety.
“If you’ve grown up going to music camps and end up being a professional musician, there is something about being around people who are like-minded,” Boyd said. “You form bonds that will last forever. And I hope this summer’s students will leave thinking they’ve enriched themselves.”
For further information, call 519.495.1660 or e-mail Thea Boyd.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com February 15, 2017.
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