Celebrating 25 Years: A Look Back with Donna Bennett

I’d like to say that it feels like yesterday (1997), when we were on our front lawn with a group of friends dreaming about how to keep musical events happening more regularly in our community. We had just finished doing a fully staged version of Jesus Christ Superstar at a local church with 100 community members in the cast and crew selling over 2000 tickets. That was a total surprise considering Campbellford had a population of only 3400! We were about to start the Sound of Music which again turned into a huge success with the local grocery store owners in the cast, the mayor of Trent Hills, high school and elementary teachers, electricians, nurses, doctors, (including my GP), farmers, OPP, local youth, ballet club and the list goes on.

For me, coming from the opera world of Canada, the UK, Germany and Italy, it was a big change and totally for the better. It was community coming together as a team - singing, working, playing to make the community musicals happen. It was fun and unforgettable.

My husband and Westben co founder Brian Finley and I were still touring across Canada at that time and adored our performances that took place in a turn of the century barn outside of Seattle, Washington. Music in the outdoors, with people picnicking, donkeys braying, there didn’t seem to be any barriers between music and nature. That festival left a lasting impression on us.

So back to dreaming on the front lawn and building a barn to house concerts in the summer felt like destiny. Westben was formed as a not for profit in 1999 and received charitable status in 2000. The Board of Directors was formed, plans were designed, local craftsman Didier Swartz began carving the hemlock timbers, McGees Excavating carved the cornfield. (I’ll never forget Brian running around the field in front of Roger McGee on the bulldozer showing him the design. Nicholson Brothers poured the cement pad, local sponsors were confirmed, Ontario Trillium funding came through, volunteers nailed the siding on the barn, (milled from a local farm) and Westben Concerts at The Barn opened July 1, 2000 …many hands, many ideas, much hand wringing, amazing music and definitely, community building. When Brian and I received the Order of Canada in 2017, it was clear to us, this was an award for the team – the team of community members, sponsors, business partners, members, donors, Board and committee members, government partners, ticket buyers…

The festival started with classical, broadway and jazz performers, but over the 25 seasons it has broadened to include singer songwriters, rock, pop and fiddle musicians plus comedians and everything in between. It is also with much gratitude to get to know our neighbours at Alderville and Curve Lake First Nations and learn from their wisdom and artistry.

Good music amid beautiful nature, that was the dream. The Barn was designed so the doors would roll open to the meadow and nature would become part of the performance. Over the years, nature has been becoming even more of a focus at Westben. 30 new birdhouses, native species gardens, small group nature walk experiences and so much more. The addition of the new venues, the Willow Hill outdoor ampitheatre and the campfire in 2021 brings us even closer to music in nature.

Looking back over the years I have counted 1110 concerts, 162,704 tickets sold, 1000 professional and local artists welcomed to the stage and over 5000 participants in the educational programs. Beyond the summer festival Westben has grown into a year-round centre with events such as the Chalk Talk Concerts, Sunday Tea Concerts, House Concerts, Christmas and spring choral events, Community Band events, local public and high school band concerts, in-school programs, community musicals, workshops and more.

I am beyond excited about our 25th Anniversary summer season which includes the Selfish Giant’s Garden, a musical by Brian Finley and Ken Tizzard, opening June 14, the June 30th Anniversary concert and reception and the 26 concerts and culinary experiences in July and August.

In highlighting our classical series, I can’t wait for that hug from Brian’s cousin, world renown bass baritone, Gerald Finley, (Westben is his only Canadian performance). As well as the masterful performances by pianist Angela Hewitt, tenor Colin Ainsworth and the New Zealand String Quartet. Check out www.westben.ca for jazz with Holly Cole and Jackie Richardson, pop with Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene), Steven Page (Bare Naked Ladies), Jeremy Dutcher and Sarah Slean as well as comedy with Colin Mochrie, a special campfire performance with Seyblu – you get the idea – there are lots of wonderful musicians to experience in this beautiful farm we call Westben. See you there!