NEWS RELEASE
COLLINGWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL
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The Collingwood Music Festival is proud to share the news that their videographers from last year’s festival Mountain Goat Films were recently presented a Telly Award for their film and live stream of the inaugural-night concert, POPERA, for Best Virtual Event or Experience.
They stand among PBS, USA Today, Electronic Arts and the Smithsonian Institute as fellow award winners.
On Saturday, July 9, this year’s opening-night inaugural concert, Rhapsody on the Bay, will be equally exciting as well as poignant when the festival honours maestro Boris Brott, who suddenly passed away earlier this year. The Collingwood Music Festival’s very own artistic director, Daniel Vnukowski, will join them at the piano performing Gershwin’s timeless masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue.
He emphasizes: “We were truly blessed to have the opportunity to hear maestro Boris Brott live at our drive-in festival last year. He was an exceptional talent and visionary, who inspired millions of people over the years with his inimitable passion for music making. This year’s inaugural concert is a loving tribute to his memory and incredible legacy with a powerful performance once again featuring his highly acclaimed National Academy Orchestra of Canada, the new interim artistic director of the Brott Music Festival, Alain Trudel, and myself at the piano. I’m particularly excited to work with Alain Trudel, as I last performed on stage together with him over 25 years ago, when I was still in my teens.”
The Collingwood Music Festival brings exceptional performances to Collingwood each summer, featuring award-winning artists in the fields of classical, world, jazz and Indigenous genres. During the festival running from July 9 to 15, music lovers will also hear a rousing program of popular spirituals with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, and SING! in the Summer — a set of swingin’ a cappella choirs which will have audience members singin’ along and dancing in the aisles. And that’s just the start.
This year, there will be two free events: an entire day of music and storytelling activities for youth and families in celebration of Nunavut Day in nearby Duntroon Highlands Golf Club, which has an enchanted, musical pathway coupled with the serenity of nature — all outdoors with charming views of the bay. As well, at Shipyards Amphitheatre, Daniel Vnukowski will kick off Town of Collingwood’s series, Classic Movies on the Bay, with a piano improvisation accompanying a short Charlie Chaplin silent film, followed by a performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Classic Movies on the Bay is presented in collaboration with the New Classical FM, On the Bay magazine, FRAM and Slokker, and the Town of Collingwood.
A reminder that the Collingwood Music Festival’s VIP ticket draw contest runs until June 26, and the lucky winner will be announced on the 27th. The festival gold pass at $199 saves buyers 25 per cent over each ticket individually. To enter the draw, order passes or single concert tickets and learn more about all events, visit collingwoodfestival.com/buy-tickets or phone the box office at 705-416-1317.
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