20 Things You May Not Know About The Westben Education Programs
by Donna Bennett, Co Founder
1. When we first moved back to my home town of Campbellford after living in England and Germany, Brian and I started working with local church choirs. While driving our two children home from school every day, I would see a group of Teens hanging out in front of the local Beckers store looking bored. I often wished I could pick them up and bring them to choir just to share the fun and expose them to the varied music that we were experiencing with the choirs. They could decide for themselves if they liked it or not, but I just wanted them to hear all the types of music that was available. 2. After a few years our small local church choir turned into 55 members strong and they were coming from all parts of the community. 3. With some friends and incredible support from the church, we mounted a production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1997. This involved 100 in cast and crew, including a large children’s choir and dancers. 4. This trend repeated with the production of The Sound of Music in 1998 and with the opening Gala concert of Westben’s Concerts at The Barn, July 1, 2000. 5. In 2001 the Community productions developed further with the mixing of professional singers in with the community. (Don’t miss understand me, the community performers deliver highly professional performances. There were and ARE STILL outstanding). Brian Finley’s original opera Samson involved a large cast, so many actually that they couldn’t all be on stage at the same time! Tenor Mark DuBois was in the leading role and everyone loved him. 6. It became obvious from the start that professionals and community working together was a winning combination. Winning because both loved it. The community was excited to work alongside the pros and the professional artists loved being with the community. Both groups learned from each other, grew artistically and formed lifelong friendships. 7. In 2005 Brian Finley and Ken Tizzard wrote a musical called Rapunzel with myself and Michael Burgess in the leading roles. Both the adult and youth choirs blossomed. Michael was a generous man with his talent and his kindness to everyone in the cast. 8. During Rapunzel we realized that we would love to work regularly with the youth and adult choirs. It was so exciting learning music together. 9. We formerly created the Westben Youth and Adult Festival Chorus in the Fall of 2005. Both groups began to meet weekly and perform in their own concerts at The Barn and at other venues. 10. Since 2005, the choruses have performed over 30 concerts and musicals of various styles. They have also performed in Peterborough, Belleville, Cobourg, Marmora, Toronto, Bowmanville, Brighton, Norwood and at several churches in Campbellford and of course at The Barn. 11. Multi-generational is key to Westben’s education programs. Not only do we see this with the choirs but also in the Community Bands Program that Nancy Elmhirst directs. On Saturday mornings, while you are visiting the Farmer’s Market in Campbellford, you may hear some concert band music floating through the air from the Clock Tower Cultural Centre. 12. Nancy started with a quartet and the program has grown into the Wind Ensemble and the Instrumental Foundations, (which has three levels, from the absolute beginner to seasoned performer). The program has developed from a concert band for youth to multigenerational groups with entire families participating. 13. If you love to sing or like to play an instrument, give the Westben Box Office a call 1-877-883-5777. 11 But first check out the video below to meet the current Westben families! Karen Stille captured some of the Westben families at the 20th Anniversary concerts last June. Have a look below. 14. The Westben Cookie Choir (ages 5 to 7) is one of my favourite parts of the week. We dance, we sing, we wiggle and squiggle, learn action songs and play rhythm instruments. Have you ever laid underneath a piano during the Moonlight Sonata? Well, the Cookies have! To be honest it was a pretty short excerpt but they giggled away. They also love seeing the hammers go up and down under the piano lid, as well as the different sounds a drum makes with the various sizes of mallets. But when the pizza falls in the car that is their favourite part of the song. 15. Making music at Westben is for all generations. The pre-concert chats before the summer concerts are quick, fun and engaging. 16. The First-Friday Lunchtime Tick Talks at the Clock Tower mix performance and learning as artists share their music and chat with the audience. 17. The international Performer-Composer Residency this summer held public workshops where members of the community were invited to participate and contribute. 18. Every year we are developing and expanding new Experiences around the Westben concerts at The Barn. I love that they are original to Westben and that they are hands on for everyone. We explore and we learn. The Dare to Pair series explores the senses through wine, food, music and storytelling. The Chocolate Voices takes you on an adventure of sonic food pairing with a chocolatier and opera singer. Find the Birds, Find the Pianist in Ferris Park is a nature walk in hunt of the hiding pianist. 19. And then there is the new Secret Concert. It was incredible. Now that it’s no longer a secret, I will share that we boarded a bus to the trans-Canada trail. We were met by “Mr Campbell” who founded Campbellford, and he guided us to the secret concert location……..well let’s save the rest for next year. 20. Thank you for reading this Anniversary Blog and please know that you are welcome to share the music at Westben. Come and sing or play or join in an Experience. Ready? Let me know what you think. As Michelangelo said: “I’M STILL LEARNING.
Donna
donna@westben.ca
1-877-883-5777
westben.ca