20 Things You May Not Know About Westben Partners
by Donna Bennett, Co Founder
1. In 1999 we had land, a not-for-profit status and an eager community. Brian and I had experience performing internationally and teaching music at Queen’s and the University of Toronto. 2. The only "business" experience we had was from being self-employed musicians and growing up in entrepreneurial families. I grew up amidst many conversations around the family furniture business which my Grandfather started in Campbellford in 1924. My brother Eric and sister-in-law Marlaine with their daughter Jasmine, now operate Bennett’s Furniture as a 4th Generation business in Campbellford, Peterborough and Kingston. Brian’s father was a Pediatrician and an esteemed Emergency Department Director of several children’s hospitals including those in Los Angeles and Calgary. His Mother was volunteer coordinator and fundraiser for CUSO. 3. We had instinct and a dream but most importantly we had friends and an amazing community that shared the dream. Westben has been nurtured by many partners forming an inspiring circle of energy. As “they say”, it takes a village…….4. Today the communities near and far are vital to Westben and we continue to share and explore new ideas through inspiring partnerships. 5. I remember one of our first donors stopped me on Front Street in Campbellford back in 1999 and offered me a $1000 cheque to help get Westben going and the only caveat was that I wasn’t to ask again! (His business became a long time sponsor). The trust and warmth was inspiring. 6. Today we have twenty three sponsors from Brighton, Calgary, Campbellford, Cobourg, Havelock, Hastings, Peterborough, Roseneath, Trenton and Warkworth. The nature of their partnership with Westben is as varied as each of their businesses. Stay tuned for their upcoming blog feature. 7. In Westben’s first season in 2000 there were 144 members, 164 volunteers, 54 donors, 18 advertisers and 11 Founding Sponsors. Currently there are 242 members, 250 volunteers, 207 donors and 28 advertisers. The family is growing and each person involved is important to the development of Westben. 8. Advertisers offer Westben patrons a myriad of things to do, places to stay, delicious food experiences, shopping excursions, and a welcoming community. Westben’s goal is to help spread the word about what these amazing partners have to offer and encourage concert goers to explore the area. Research shows that for every two hours of travel, tourists are looking for another six hours of activity. 9. Volunteers are the heartbeat of the organization. Members and Donors are the legs. Their support is more than financial. Their contribution is often given through personal interaction at concerts or through discussions behind the scenes. Like Volunteers they are Westben’s ambassadors and are keen to help build for Westben’s future and Arts and Culture in general. 10. Then there are the performers - the musicians, comedians, actors and dancers. They bring their experience to the Westben stage and in return Westben offers a safe space for performers to try something new, such as a new piece or an opportunity to make music with people they might not otherwise get a chance to at other venues. This makes the experience unique for the performer and the audience. At The Barn, nature is a huge part of the performance. I’ll never forget when Naida Cole stopped her performance to say how amazing it was to play with birds singing over the meadow. 11. During intermission at Adrianne Pieczonka’s performance, she was standing back stage staring at the field and I asked her if she was okay. She said she was just marvelling at the sunset and the beautiful evening and thinking how special it was to sing at Westben. (A big compliment considering she has sung at major opera houses across the world). 12. Performers do come from all over the world including Cuba, Argentina, Europe, Norway, the UK, US, Canada and elsewhere. From international stars such as Gerald Finley, Michael Schade, Joyce El-Khoury (2019), Peter Appleyard, Oliver Jones, Matt Dusk (2019), Colin Mochrie, Brent Butt (2019) to rising star Antian Jang (2019) and the 5 to 7 year olds in the Westben Cookie Choir, all are welcome. Westben is proud to work with amateur, up-and-coming and professional performers in many different genres. 13. Having multi-generations come together in Westben productions is thrilling. Musicals such as SAMSON, The Selfish Giant, Rapunzel, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and the Christmas productions have seen entire families participating. The Westben Community Bands continue to also be a place where families learn music and perform together. On the 20th Anniversary Concerts (June 1 and 2) you will see Ron and Elaine Scott perform in the Westben choir with their seven grandchildren. 14. Every summer Westben partners with the Brain Injury Association of Peterborough and local visual artists. The Association’s clients make various products out of wood and local visual artists donate their time and talent to turn these items into works of art. They are gorgeous and are displayed all summer in a Silent Auction. 15.Creativity isn’t limited to the visual and performing artists at Westben. Through partnerships with local, regional and provincial tourism experts: Trent Hills Tourism, Northumberland Tourism, Peterborough & the Kawarthas, Kawarthas Northumberland, Tourism Café, Ontario Tourism and Gros Morne Institute for example, Westben has developed a series of One-of-a-Kind Experiences called Dare to Pair. These Experiences offer hands on opportunities to get behind the scenes of the concerts, learn about the music, meet the musicians, and hear stories around the concerts. 16. They offer the chance to enjoy wine tasting led by expert sommeliers, savour delicious foods prepared by local chefs and hear stories about the music and area. 17. One of the new Dare to Pair Experiences this year is called Chocolate Voices, a sonic food pairing. Local chocolatier Angela Roest from Centre & Main Chocolate in Warkworth and opera singer/author Chris Cameron from Meyersburg. They have been meeting with us over the past six months to create this amazing new VIP Experience. As Angela says “Come taste the music with us!”. 18. As a charitable organization providing musical experiences and community building in a rural area, Westben relies on funding from both the Federal and Provincial Governments. This partnership allows Westben to try new initiatives and keep ticket prices affordable. 19. Having open dialog, sharing experiences and doing cross promotion with other theatres, orchestras and arts groups is very enriching. Westben partners with Elora Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, Capitol Theatre, 4th Line Theatre, Stirling Festival Theatre, Canadian Opera Company, Tapestry Opera, Globus Theatre, and the Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, Northumberland, Peterborough and Canadian Opera Company Orchestras, the Hannaford Street Silver Band, Canadian Canoe Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Pine Ridge Arts Council, Quinte Arts Council and Spirit or the Hills. 20. Brian Finley is the Artistic and Managing Director and works with the staff, and the Board of Directors, who take the responsibility of overseeing the whole organization. Over the past 20 years, 240 Board members have volunteered their time to help guide Westben through the ups and downs, planning for exciting and meaningful musical experiences, and a sustainable future. It is an honour to work with and learn from so many Partners. Thank you Team and let’s keep dreaming onwards!
Donna
donna@wesbten.ca
1-877-883-5777
westben.ca