Southern Georgian Bay’s newest festival promises world-class performances
by Janet Lees
Polish-Canadian pianist Daniel Wnukowski lives in Vienna, Austria, but he’s equally at home in Southern Georgian Bay. And he’s bringing his love of great music – and his musical connections – to bear with a brand-new, world-class music festival this summer.
Wnukowski says the catalyst for the festival was a pair of fundraising concerts he performed in April to benefit Collingwood’s Barbara Weider House for homeless youth. “The Barbara Weider House experience was certainly the strongest experience that told me we really have to do this, because we were able to fill up both concerts so I clearly saw the great demand for classical music,” he says. “I announced my intentions after the concert purely as a brainstorming idea, and now one year later we’re doing it.”
The Collingwood Summer Music Festival will run from July 18 to August 11 at the New Life Church, featuring international stars of classical, jazz/blues and world music:
- The Elmer Iseler Singers – a professional, 20-voice chamber choir based in Toronto, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019, sharing the stage with Collingwood’s very own ChoralWorks Chorus.
- The Gryphon Trio – a Juno-nominated Canadian chamber music ensemble formed in 1993.
- Quartetto Gelato – a witty Canadian crossover quartet known for its multi-instrumental mastery.
- Sugar and Gold – an attraction for both adults and children featuring an award-winning cool jazz and hot blues duo, Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite.
- Nhapitapi – a dynamic, six-piece ensemble of Zimbabwe musicians, singers, dancers and performers.
- Payadora Tango Ensemble – fiery and dramatic South American music from Canada’s hottest new tango band.
- Rolston String Quartet – stormed onto the international classical music scene with first prize wins at the 12th Banff International String Quartet Competition.
- Carnaval – an exciting new musical attraction for the entire family featuring an 11-member instrumental ensemble and mime artist.
Tickets will be available for individual performances or as a series for all eight concerts.
Born in Windsor, Ontario, Wnukowski left Canada at the age of 15 to further his musical education, living in Europe, the U.S. and the U.K. before finally settling in Vienna. He has performed throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls and with some of its most celebrated orchestras, as well as a solo piano recital tour of China.
In between globetrotting tours, he developed a strong attachment to the Southern Georgian Bay area after his parents moved to Collingwood upon retirement. “I’ve seen the growth in the area with its wonderful cafés and restaurants and art galleries,” he says. “That culture very much reminds me of Europe, and the way music brings people together is such a big part of that European sensibility.”
Wnukowski will be the solo pianist and guest speaker at a potluck and concert fundraiser April 27 at All Saints’ Anglican Church in Collingwood, and says he is already blown away by the level of community support he’s received. (Full disclosure: On The Bay Magazine and The New Classical FM have signed on as the media sponsor of the festival).
“Every single person I’ve met has said, ‘We have to do this. We’ve been longing for something like this in our community.’ Local businesses and private individuals have given us seed money to get us started. The whole thing is spreading, and we’re really pleased with the excitement it’s generating. “It’s so heartfelt for me to see what community involvement can do.” ❧
Visit collingwoodfestival.com or the social media pages @collingwoodfestival on Facebook to find out more.
