SweetStrings, the community string ensemble that was started in January 2025, is off and running. On September 7 they made their public debut at the Marsh St. Centre, where a small ensemble of ten players treated a large, appreciative audience to a range of pieces that included fiddle tunes, classical favourites, and some modern popular songs.
Under the umbrella of the acclaimed Sweetwater Music Festival, SweetStrings participated in a community jam session on September 20 in Owen Sound that was led by Edwin Huizinga, a renowned violinist and the festival’s artistic director. The Sweetwater Festival wowed audiences from Owen Sound to Thornbury for an entire week.
SweetStrings sported their new, hot off the press t-shirts, and performed three pieces as a prelude to the community jam. Outstanding professionals, like Keith Hamm, violist for the Edmonton Symphony played alongside amateurs. It was a phenomenal event and gave the community players a real boost.
SweetStrings double-bass players Rob Farrow and Jonathan Armstrong were pleasantly surprised by the appearance of world class jazz legend Roberto Occhipinti, who casually dropped by to play alongside them.
SweetStrings is offering three free community concerts this fall. They have been working with a range of professional musicians to develop the music: Matthew Hayes, Kerri McGonigle, Sebastian Ostertag, Victoria Yeh, and Shari Lundy. With aid of a Trillium Seed Grant, this community ensemble is blossoming. There are now 25 players, coming from Creemore, Collingwood, Owen Sound, Meaford, and places in between.
The next concert is on October 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the L.E. Shore Library in Thornbury. Tickets are free, but due to space limitations, folks must register for them by going to eventbrite.ca and typing in Thornbury SweetStrings concert.
SweetStrings will also be playing a concert for the residents at the Meaford Long Term Care facility on December 18.
The final concert of the season will showcase the music SweetStrings has been developing throughout its inaugural year. Open to the public, it will happen on Sunday, January 25, at 3 p.m. at Meaford United Church. General admission, no pre-registration needed, and entrance by donation.
If you are a community string player at the intermediate level or beyond and would like to join or find out more, contact SweetStrings at: sweetwatermusicfestival.ca
