More Than Just the Classics at Orchestra North Owen Sound

This summer Orchestra North is thrilled to invite string players to an amazing week of in person music making this July 11-15th in downtown Owen Sound with an incredible faculty of artist instructors that including rock violinist Victoria Yeh, Canadian fiddle sensation Tyler Beckett, Storyteller, filmmaker and regalia designer Sharon Isaac, members of Interro String Quartet, and renowned cellist and pedagogue Sarah Steeves.

With a focus on programs for string players (violin, viola, cello, double bass) of all levels, from half-day beginner strings (9:00AM-12:00PM) to full day intermediate and senior strings programs (10:00AM-4:00PM), the festival will conclude with a performance at Music at the Market at 12:00pm on July 15th.

It is so exciting to welcome our Orchestra North family back to downtown Owen Sound for a week of collaboration, learning, performing, and of course fun. Our incredible faculty are dedicated to sharing their diverse artistry with this summer’s participants, whether it is refining the great classical works of the last 300 years, working on new pop song arrangements with Victoria Yeh, creating soundscaping stories with Sharon Isaac from Saugeen First Nation, or fiddling up a storm with Tyler Becket, there is a such an amazing opportunity for participants of all ages and abilities.

Alongside an engaging and diverse program, Orchestra North has also dedicated itself to creating accessibility in the arts by providing scholarships for the Grey-Bruce Kiwanis Festival of Music, and providing bursaries for musicians to attend the program. Families who are interested in scholarships and bursaries to attend are invited to contact the festival directly through their website.

Throughout the festival week, the public is invited to attend Orchestra North Concerts and Events, including a faculty concert at the Noon Hour Series on Wednesday July 11th (12:00pm, Georgian Shores United Church), and a Festival Finale! Hosted by the City of Owen Sound’s Music at the Market Series on Friday July 15th (12:00, Owen Sound Farmers’ Market). Both events are Free/By Donation.

Interested participants can register until July 7th at www.orchestranorth.com/owensound, and contact me directly at sebastian@orchestranorth.com. See you at Orchestra North!

Special thanks to Community Foundation Grey-Bruce, Ontario Arts Council, Harmony Center, Georgian Bay Symphony and the Sweetwater Festival for supporting Orchestra North Owen Sound!

Sebastian Ostertag

Artistic Director, Orchestra North Owen Sound