Some of Canada’s most renowned and internationally recognized musicians will gather in the Princeton area for six days, June 18 to 23.
The Cascade Peaks Chamberfest, a first-time event, will be held at RockRidge Canyon, a combination of concerts, masterclasses and intense training for young and emerging artists.
The event kicks off with a free jazz concert Wednesday, June 19, 7:30 p.m., with the entire community invited.
The TLC Trio, comprised of multiple Juno Award winner trumpeter Brad Turner, Bill Coon, a National Jazz Awards Guitarist of the Year, and André LaChance on bass, will perform.
Over the weekend, there will be three chamber music concerts featuring some of the culture’s most noted talents, and tickets are available to purchase.
Chamber music is performed by a small ensemble, with one player to a part, the most important form being the string quartet which developed in the 18th century.
It is considered to be a very intimate form of musical expression.
“For the chamber music audience this will be a peak experience,” said Shannon Lythgoe, marketing director for Cascade Peaks Chamberfest.
“This is really a unique opportunity, particularly for the town of Princeton, to be put on the map for a festival of world-class caliber,” she continued. “We are really hoping that this festival will become a significant economic driver for the town of Princeton and the whole Similkameen Valley.”
There is funding in place to support Cascade Peaks Chamberfest for three years. Lythgoe said the idea during that time is to turn the festival into a destination for music lovers in British Columbia, across Canada and globally.
“They are lofty goals, but they are achievable.” RockRidge Canyon is the ideal venue, she added, remarking on its serenity and natural beauty. “There are lots of recreational opportunities, and it’s a wonderful setting with a 350-seat state-of-the-art theatre,” she added.
Tickets are available for each of the three weekend concerts, at a cost of $35 for adults and $25 for students.
Tickets are available for each of the three weekend concerts, at a cost of $35 for adults and $25 for students.
Friday June 21, 7:30 p.m. – Explorations – a Sonic Journey.
Saturday June 22, 7:30 p.m. – Different Places – From the Sublime to the Rhapsodic
Sunday June 23, 3 p.m. – Masterpieces and More.
Among the featured artists are:
• Borealis String Quartet (Patricia Shih, Yuel Yawney, violins, Nikita Pogrebnoy, viola, Sunyong Lim, cello).
The Borealis was the only classical group to be selected for the Great Canadian Dream Competition which was televised across the nation and as a result, were the only classical musicians to perform for the Prime Minister of Canada at Parliament Hill in Ottawa for an audience of over 75,000.
• Jonathan Crow (violin, concertmaster with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and founding member of the Juno Award-winning New Orford String Quartet)
• Roman Borys (cello, founding member of the three-time Juno Award-winning Gryphon Trio)
• James Campbell (clarinet, Juno award winner and Order of Canada recipient)
• Libby Yu (piano, first prize of the 27th CBC Radio National Competition for Young Performers and awarded Diploma of Honour at the 13th International Frederic Chopin Competition)
* Saturday evening’s concert begins with a wine reception featuring several local wineries.
