Music and Beyond: Building Bridges Between the Arts

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Ottawa’s Music and Beyond festival is gearing up for its 15th edition, which will take place between July 4 and 16. Julian Armour—the festival’s artistic director and general manager for the last 15 years—is always on the lookout for ways to combine classical music with other art forms. He aims to promote access to great works and performers in a social milieu where the arts are increasingly under threat.

“Decision-makers don’t realize that children develop so much better when they have access to musical education. What’s more, the CBC and Radio-Canada have all but abandoned their mission of promoting classical music, so people are hearing less and less of it,” he says.

Despite this climate of uncertainty for arts organizations, Music and Beyond will open on July 4 with an optimistic and lighthearted gala tribute to the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II. “This is a way to open the festival in a fun way, something we really need these days,” says Armour.

Notable events also include the male a-cappella vocal ensemble Chanticleer on July 12 and the internationally acclaimed Phaeton Piano Trio, which will perform three completely different programs on July 10-12. There will also be a concert combining baroque music and modern dance, and Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du soldat narrated by Peter Duchesne. The festival also features a strong lineup of Canadian artists, who make up around 75 per cent of the festival’s performers.

Music and Beyond distinguishes itself in its desire to showcase Canada’s National Capital Region. It will feature an immersive activity at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in which children and their parents will have the chance to wander through the village, hear short performances, chat with musicians and even try out instruments. “This will be a great way for children to discover music and instruments in a relaxed and inspiring setting,” says Armour. The festival will also hold a number of offsite concerts in neighbouring towns, giving the public a chance to discover the region and its heritage.

The festival concludes on July 16 with a closing gala called Festival by Request. As a way to increase engagement with its audience, Music and Beyond polled them for special requests. Those requests will comprise the closing gala’s program. “My aim is to bring people closer to the music,” Armour says. “Having a festival pass will allow our audience members to attend as many concerts as possible and to make new discoveries.”

Translation: Sara Schabas