SweetStrings is holding its second annual end of season concert for the community on Sunday, November 29. The show begins at 3 p.m., and runs for slightly over an hour with no intermission and features the music of Vivaldi, Elgar, Schubert, Purcell and Bach. After the concert, audience members are invited to a reception to meet the players and have a sweet treat.
The audience is in for a special treat because the conductor for this concert, local violinist Matthew Hayes, will be performing the Bach Duo along with talented young violinist Olivier LaFleur. The SweetStrings is thrilled to be the ensemble backing these talented players.
Other fun elements to this year’s concert will be a tune by the Sweet Stringsters, the children’s beginner violin class, and a rousing rendition of O Canada conducted by community member Barb Horne, who won the VIP concert prize at Sweetness in the Barn fundraiser in August.
Launched in 2025 with the help of a seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, SweetStrings has been busy working on a range of repertoire from Baroque to fiddle music.
Rehearsing weekly at Meaford United Church, the group is coached by different professional musicians throughout the season. It is safe to say that all members have experienced personal growth and developed their musicianship by playing in the ensemble.
Under the umbrella of the Sweetwater Music Festival, SweetStrings had the privilege of playing alongside violinist and Artist Director Edwin Huizinga and many other professionals brought in to play at the renowned festival this fall in Owen Sound. It was indeed a proud moment for the community group.
Throughout the year, the group presented free concerts at the Meaford Long Term Care, the L.E.Shore Library gallery, and in Owen Sound at a summer event showcasing arts groups in the area.
New community players are always welcome. Rehearsals for Season Three begin on Monday, February 1, 2027 at 7 p.m. at Meaford United Church. For more info or to register for the season, contact Natasha Bood, GM of Sweetwater at sweetwatermusicfestival@gmail.com
For more info about the Sweetwater Festival visit Sweetwatermusicfestival.com. Season 2027 runs from September 15-19 and will feature the theme Folk & Baroque.
To attend the November 29, 3 p.m. concert at Meaford United Church, 7 Boucher Ave, register for free tickets at eventbrite.ca and search SweetStrings Community Concert. This is a pay what you can concert so contributions at the door are gratefully received.
