TRAILBLAZERS
Dear Friends,
Crystal here, hijacking this email for a quick note! This past Friday we held the Starlight Silver Serenade to celebrate our 25th anniversary. With live music, exceptional food and wine, and the company of our Stratford Summer Music supporters, it was truly an unforgettable evening. We were also honoured to have Stratford Poet Laureate, David Stones, share his powerful poem, “From These Yellowed Bricks.” You can read it for yourself here!
By David Stones, Stratford Poet Laureate
Back to you, Mark!
This week I'm teaching chamber music at the National Youth Orchestra of Canada's annual summer session, this year held in Waterloo at Wilfrid Laurier University. It is always one of the highlights of my year as I get to spend time with the next generation of talent and see what they're up to, as well as see what excites and engages them about the music world. One thing is for certain - there is no shortage of outstanding talent in our country!!! There are some real trailblazers amongst this bunch. These students are playing music from the 1600s to the present day, and a lot of it is very challenging. If you have a chance to hear them this summer, I highly recommend it! They are celebrating their 65th season this year (which is amazing in and of itself). You can find out tour dates for them here:
Two news articles came across my desk this week about two existing trailblazers worth noting. They have both done incredible work in their respective fields. First, in Canada, Arthur Arnold. After years at the helm of an orchestra in Moscow, his conscience took him away from Russia after the Ukraine invasion and he settled back in Canada in Powell River, BC. He's been organizing an outstanding classical music festival called PRISMA for several years now. I've never had the chance to go, but some of my students have been and they love what he's done there. Here's a great article about him, and about the community he serves so well:
And in the world of country music in the US, Ashley Gorley was (finally) inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Gorley spent years trying to understand the science behind what made a hit song in his musical world - and he pretty much cracked the code! He has written more than 500 songs with over 80 number one hits. Let that sink in for a moment! If you've never heard his name before, it's because he writes his songs mostly for others to sing. He takes the back seat. Here's a great bio of his:
And here's one of his many number one hit singles...this particular YouTube clip has over 82 million hits at this point...!
Be sure to check out our Women Folk Series at the Stratford Perth Museum this summer!! It is an amazing lineup featuring Emily Jean Flack, Miranda Mulholland, and the Polish folk group Polky. These are going to be terrific shows, each one with their own special musical vibe. Here's a link with more info to the first concert of the series:
Have a great weekend everyone!
Mark and the SSM Team
Staff Pick
Polky
I am a longtime fan of Polky, so long that I was lucky enough to hear early demos from their first album, Songs from Home. Their rich interpretation of traditional Polish folk music, joyful harmonies, and energetic rhythms nestle into your soul and dance out through your body. It’s impossible to sit still when they play. And for those interested in rare instruments, Marta Solek is one of 50 suka (a kind of Polish violin) players in the world! I couldn’t think of a better group to close out our Women Folk series. Wherever Polky is, a party is sure to follow.
Liz Thomas
Administrative Coordinator | Stratford Summer Music
Sponsor Highlight
On behalf of everyone at Stratford Summer Music, thank you to Pazzo Pizzeria and Café Bouffon for your generous support of this year’s MusicBarge. Your long-standing partnership means the world to us, and your commitment to the arts has played a meaningful role in helping music thrive in our community.
As cherished members of Stratford’s vibrant cultural and culinary scene, you exemplify the spirit of community that makes this city so special. Your ongoing support not only helps bring music to life each summer but also helps us create lasting memories for residents and visitors alike.
We are truly grateful to count Pazzo Pizzeria and Café Bouffon as part of the Stratford Summer Music family, and we look forward to many more seasons of collaboration and celebration together.
