Westben Has Been Bringing People Together Through Music in Nature For 25 Years!

Nestled amongst the hills of Northumberland County, 2 hours east of Toronto, 40 minutes from Peterborough, Belleville and Cobourg and 2.5 hours west of Ottawa, Westben is located on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig (Mississauga) Anishinaabeg near what is now known as Campbellford, Ontario in Trent HIlls. Westben is a year-round Centre for Connection & Creativity Through Music in Nature and presents a myriad of concerts and outdoor experiences in and around its four venues - The Barn, Willow Hill Amphitheatre and the Campfire in the Summer and Fall Festivals and in shoulder seasons at the Schoolhouse.

Westben’s 25th Anniversary summer season opens June 14, 2024 with an original musical followed by 26 concerts featuring over 100 international and local Canadian artists including artists from neighbouring Alderville First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. Lifelong learning Chalk Talks Concerts, March Break camps and other educational activities take place throughout the year at the Schoolhouse located just north of The Barn.

Westben’s International Performer-Composer Residency is an international gathering of creative risk-takers whose practice involves some combination of both composition and performance.

Westben’s Digital programs include concerts, podcasts, musical moments, kids videos and more available on Westben’s YouTube Channel and the new www.WestbenDigitalvenue.ca.

But Westben is more than just great performances, it is an unforgettable experience. Gourmet picnics on the meadows, curated wine and beer selections from the Milk Shed, pre-concert chats, BBQs, Dare to Pair events, Sounds in Nature guided nature walks on a neighboring Nature Reserve and a chance to relax by the pond all make Westben a unique place to be.

Vision & Mission:

Westben’s Vision is to be a leading International Centre for Connection and Creativity Through Music in Nature. Westben’s Mission is to nurture communities through exceptional musical experiences.

How did it Begin?

In 1989, soprano Donna Bennett and pianist / composer Brian Finley were enjoying the early stages of international careers. Having lived and worked for several years in Europe, they returned to Donna’s hometown of Campbellford, Ontario to start a family.

Inspired by the talented and energetic community, the couple shared their love of music making by performing and hosting events at local venues. They also began teaching music students and leading the music program at a local church.

It was the exciting success of Jesus Christ Superstar and the Sound of Music, two fully-staged community events, that galvanized the support for a permanent performance organization.

1999

In 1999, The Westben Arts Festival Theatre was formed as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating, enriching and integrating professionals and amateurs in musical projects and educational activities.

2000

Guided by a Board of Directors, Westben received its charitable status in 2000. Brimming with enthusiasm, Donna and Brian led the young organization in building a new concert hall, to reflect the co-founders’ multi-faceted artistic vision. This new facility was built to be acoustically suited for classical and all genres of music, accessible for audiences, in both comfort and style, and harmonious with the surrounding farmland. The doors on three sides of were designed to roll open onto the meadow, welcoming in nature to be part of the concert experience.

Didier Schwartz of Lakefield’s Sun Wood Company took on the challenge. The result is a stunning timber-frame structure. An acoustical marvel, the concert facility is beautiful in its grand simplicity. Creatively indigenous to its pastoral setting, the audience-friendly venue has come to be known affectionately as The Barn. Construction on The Barn in 2000 culminated in a spectacular gala opening on Canada Day of that same year.

Concerts at The Barn 2000 featured 70 internationally acclaimed Canadian artists in 10 concerts over 5 weekends.

2001

The following year, the season was augmented by eight performances of Artistic Director Brian Finley’s opera-musical SAMSON starring Mark DuBois, Donna Bennett and a cast and crew of over 200 Philistines and Israelites

2002

In 2002, Westben added its Autumn Feast for the Ears, a festival in late September which celebrated the region’s beautiful autumnal colours. Finley’s musical adaptation of A Westben Christmas Carol in 2002 led the way to further winter activities at The Barn.

2005-2010

Along with 6 weeks of performances of Concerts at The Barn, Westben presented the original musical Rapunzel by Brian Finley.

It had always been a dream of co-founder Donna Bennett to share the transformational power of music with local youth. Inspired by the young performers in Rapunzel, the Westben Youth & Teen choruses were created and now meet weekly from September to June.

In 2006 Brian Finley and Ken Tizzard created The Little Match Girl Messiah and in 2010 The Selfish Giant.  In 2008 Brian Finley and Michael Nitsch created The Magic Ornament.

2011 to 2015

Concerts at The Barn summer festival continued with artists such as UBC Opera Ensemble, Isabel Bayrakdarian, Swingle Singers, Brian Barlow Big Band, Gerald Finley, Oliver Jones, Richard Margison, Stewart Goodyear, The Good Lovelies and more.

In 2012 Westben premiered John Burge and Eugene Benson's opera The Auction. 

In partnership with the Trent Hills Municipality, Westben moved into the Clock Tower Cultural Centre in downtown Campbellford in 2013.  This newly renovated historic building became the new home of the Westben year round Box Office, music library, costume storage and rehearsal rooms with an intimate performance space.

In 2013 the Westben Wind Ensemble was formed led Nancy Elmhirst who welcomed multi generational participants to concert band music. The Peterborough Symphony with Teresa Castonguay narrator performed Peter & the Wolf for young audiences.

In 2014 in addition to the summer festival, Westben presented a Tribute to R Murray Shafer at The Barn with performances and tributes by Ben Heppner, Elanor James, Gryphon Piano Trio, Judy Loman, Molinari String Quartet, Donna Bennett, Brian Finley and the Westben Festival Chorus. The Bicycle Opera Project performed at the Clock Tower and cycled with their props over to Warkworth to perform at the Town Hall.

2016 to 2018

In 2016 Westben premiered The Pencil Salesman, an opera by Brian Finley, inspired & commissioned by A.M. Herzberg. Building on the theme of the opera a week of experiences were held including Song-Connect, a vocal intensive with Michael Warren, Sound Connect, recording at Studio 29, Improv-Connect with Linda Kash, Choral-Connect with Marie Anderson and several pre-performance chats.

Youth performances included CDHS Music Night Jazz Ensembles, the Youth and Teen Choirs at The Barn and Museum in a Bag with Jan Thornhill at the Clock Tower. 2016 was also the launch of the Cookie Choir for children ages 5 to 7. Jumping, dancing, singing, and having fun with music finished each session with of course, cookies!

In 2017 in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, Westben held a free concert called Canada Dreams attracting over 1000 attendees. Leading up to the concert a wooden canoe stand was taken around to area schools, seniors homes and community clubs asking members to write their dreams for the future of Canada on canoe shaped papers. These dreams were then made into a video that played during the 4 hour performance. Outside The Barn the meadow was abound with dancers, area artist’s displays, children’s activities, including an instrument petting zoo and face painting, while the Wakami Wailers entertained amongst the crowd.

2018 Westben reimagined itself into a Centre for Connection & Creativity Through Music. The Centre to focus on the year-round convergence of people, ideas and activities; a be a cultural hub where professionals, amateurs and enthusiasts can meet and be nurtured through the joy of music. And cultivate the inflow and outflow of the creative musical experience.

Concerts at The Barn included the fully staged musical of Joseph & The Technicolour Dreamcoat and performances by the Montreal Gospel choir, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Michael Kaeshammer, John McDermott, Sarah Harmer, Colin Mochrie & Deb McGrath, Tafelmusik and more.

The Westben Experience was expanded with the creation of Dare to Pair; a series of one-of-a-kind experiences that bring you to your senses. All five of them! They are innovative and transformative events aimed at bringing you closer to the music you love, through all your senses. New tastes, sights, smells, sounds and touches, each presented in creative and interactive combinations. Favourite and exotic food, special wines, fascinating locations, colourful local history, opportunities to meet the guest artists and of course, enchanting music.

Find the Birds, Find the Pianist was an innovative guided nature walk in the local Ferris Park in search of birds and a pianist (not to worry - all were found). The day started with Dooher’s donuts and ended with lunch at Antonia’s Bistro.

2019

In 2019 Westben celebrated 20 years of Concerts at The Barn. Special Gala performances were held on June 1 and 2. Over the year Westben presented 80 performances and events at The Barn, The Clock Tower and other venues in the area including James Ehnes, Jeremy Dutcher, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Andy Forgie, Brent Butt, Rose Cousins, Basia Bulat, Matt Dusk, and many other wonderful artists. The Westben Jazz Fringe Festival in 2019 saw performances at restaurants in Warkworth, Hastings and Campbellford and the Clock Tower Cultural Centre.

The Chocolate Voices experience was added to Dare to Pair series and featured Angela Roest from Centre & Main Chocolate and opera singer and author Christopher Cameron. Can music affect your taste buds? (Yes!). A school bus took a willing group of Westben patrons on a short excursion to a secret location to hear a Brass Quintet in a metal underpass in Westben’s first Secret Concert.

2020

COVID-19 brought on many changes for Westben. Over 80 events were cancelled at The Barn and the Clock Tower but Westben remained fully committed to staying connected and “bringing people together through music”. The new digital programming called Sunshine Ahead! was created to connect, soothe and re-energize our many communities, and keep the music flowing. It was a new and wonderful way to enjoy the Westben Garden from the safety of our own homes: Sunshine Ahead for Music for A While Podcasts, Musical Moments, Westben Kids, Digital Concerts at The Barn and the new International Performer-Composer Residency Premieres.

2021

In 2021 Sunshine Ahead! developed into permanent digital programming for Westben and the Digital Concerts at The Barn was viewed internationally. The monthly premieres became a gathering place to experience community and the beauty of the Westben 50 acre farm. Videographer Steve Dagg and Audio Engineer Andy Thompson with production coordinator David Vanderlip have recreated the Westben magic with performers such as Valerie Milot, Brian Manker, Jordan Mowat, Colin Mochrie, Deb McGrath, Chick Reid, Tom McCamus, Frank Moore, Barbra Lica, The Fitzgerald’s, Ken Tizzard, New Orford String Quartet, Good Lovelies, Lydia Persaud, Amy Hillis, Dave Mowat and Clayton Yates. These performances can also be found on Westben’s YouTube Channel and www.westbendigitalvenue.ca.

Westben’s administration moved out of the The Clock Tower Cultural Centre and on July 20, 2021 Westben purchased the West School located just one field north of The Barn. The Board of Directors pledged support and soon the community joined in and the Westben Schoolhouse capitol fundraising campaign began. Dreams of housing Westben’s administration, educational events and small concerts started to become a reality as funds were raised and capitol improvements began.

A few live performances returned to The Barn in July and September of 2021 with performances by Robert Michaels, Lemon Bucket Orchestra, Laila Biali and Phillip Chiu,

To bring even more enjoyment of music in the outdoors, two new venues were built - the new Willow Hill amphitheatre which seats up to 500 and the intimate Campfire venue for up to 50 people.

Performers on Willow Hill included Friends on the Hill featuring local bands, the Finley Bennett Family, Leahy Next Generation and Serena Ryder and at the Campfire Sammy Jackson, Kerri Ough and Dave Mowat & Clayton Yates, A new Experience called Sounds of Nature offered an immersive nature, music and dance experience in the neighbouring Mary West Nature Reserve with a naturalist from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, dancer Lauren Brooks with a sound installation by Andy Thompson.

2022

An exciting Open-Air Summer Festival with over 70 artists in 25 concerts for July 1 to 31rst featuring Adam Fisher, Barbra Lica, Brian Finley, Caitlin Wood, Canadian Brass, Carol Welsman, Eve Parker Finley, David Maracle, Joel Plaskett, Karina Gauvin, Kim Dafoe, Mary Walsh, Michael Kaeshammer, Natalie MacMaster, Ofra Harnoy, OKAN, Queer Songbook orchestra, Sarah Lewis, Suzie Undgerleider, Julian Taylor and William Prince. Sounds of Nature expanded to include live musicians performing by the stream improvising on the bird calls in the forest.

2023

Summer and Fall Festivals artists included Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, Brian Finley, Sacha, Fretless, Morgan Toney, Sounds in Silence, Gino Quillilco & the Elmer Iseler Singers, Mozart in the Meadow, Dan Hill, Emilie Claire Barlow, Natural Balance with members of Alderville First Nation and the Black Oak Savanagh, Janina Fialkowska, Ben Caplan Chantral Kreviazuk, Les Mis in Concert, Lennie Gallant, Jill Barber and Laila Biali and the Brian Barlow Big Band, George Fox, Chris & Dee, Michael Kaeshammer.

Choral concerts featured the Cookie, Youth, Teen and Festival Choruses in June and December with special guest Sarah Lewis from Curve Lake First Nation.

Spring and Fall Chalk Talks at the Schoolhouse welcomed Canadian composer John Burge, Westben’s Artistic Director Brian Finley, music expert Barb Hobart and author/opera singer Chris Cameron. The international Performer Composer Residency returned to an inperson residency welcoming 11 artists from around the world for a week of exploration and creation.

2024

Westben turns 25 and what a journey this has been. From a dream of putting on a few concerts in a beautiful barn on a farm, sharing music with and for the community, has flourished into a year round campus of music in nature with concerts at The Schoolhouse, The Barn, Willow Hill and The Campfire. Over 1110 performances, 163,000 tickets sold and over 1000 artists engaged. Economic impact on the Trent Hills and area communities as a result of Westben visitors is estimated at over one million dollars according to the Ontario.ca TREIM model.

What was once a cornfield in 1999 is now still full of Black birds, Song Sparrows, Peepers, Grackles, Morning Doves, Phoebes, Bluebirds, Cardinals, Turkey Vultures, Tree Swallows, Chickadees, Flickers, Blue Jays, Crows, Robins, Indigo buntings, Bitterns, Meadow Larks, and the occasional Meadow Larks and Bobolinks, but also the joy, laughter of multiple generations celebrating music in nature.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and co founder’s Donna Bennett and Brian Finley, a huge thank you to all the many, many volunteers, community partners, sponsors, members, donors, government agencies and ticket buyers who have joined together over the years to make Westben happen and continue. There are many more dreams to follow, more to learn, more to explore and more to find.

Now on to the 2024 summer festival which opens June 14, 2024 with a new production of the Selfish Giant’s Garden musical written by Brian Finley and Ken Tizzard for Westben based on a short story by Oscar Wilde. 26 concerts continue until August 4 featuring artists such as Gerald Finley, Jeremy Dutcher, Angela Hewitt, Holly Cole, Steven Page, The New Zealand String Quartet, Sarah Slean, Jackie Richardson & Joe Sealy, Andy Forgie, Barra MacNeils, Adam Fisher, Friends from neighbouring Alderville First Nations including Dave Mowat, Ainsley and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson and more.

Fall and winter bring the Silver Moon Fundraising Gala, Sounds in Nature Experiences, Broadway Belles, Chalk Talk Concerts and a new production of the Westben Christmas Carol. Other year round events include March Break Camps, Song writing workshops, and new digital programming.

Join the celebration on June 30 with a host of favourite Westben artists at The Barn. Let’s toast together 25 years in this garden called Westben with a free glass of bubbly and local strawberries on the meadow after the performance.