In October 2006, I learned that the venerable Guelph Spring Festival would not be presenting another season. Almost on a whim, I dreamed up a small recital series that would make use of the Recital Hall of the Guelph Youth Music Centre. This intimate space, seating only 180, was specifically designed for chamber music and recitals. The sound of the hall is warm and resonant.

The series premiered on Saturday May 12, 2007 with soprano Theresa Thibodeau teaming up with husband/baritone John Medina, tenor Glyn Evans, and pianist Betty Maher. My dear friend, pianist Valerie Tryon performed an absolutely amazing recital on May 17, demonstrating a high level of musicianship and virtuosity rarely heard. Violinist Annette-Barbara Vogel gave another outstanding recital.

The series was rounded out with a pair of "partnership" concerts, one a Benefit Recital for the Suzuki String School of Guelph featuring SSSG alumni cellist Adam Riggs and violinist Meredith McCallum, with Stephanie Mara and me doing the piano accompanying, as well as a concert by the Guelph Youth Singers.

It took me a long time to learn how to market the festival properly, and in spite of glorious coverage by the local media, I was on the verge of cancelling the series in March. (At that point, I had only sold 12 tickets!) But after a successful email and apparently all-important snail mail campaign, there was a last minute flurry of ticket sales, and in the end the series was an unexpected success. Thank you to all the people who volunteered to help me in this venture. Thank you, Guelph, for supporting this new series!

So now here is Season Two, and I am extremely proud of the lineup. The theme is Beethoven & Brahms, and every concert features at least one masterpiece by one of those great composers. And while many of the performers are Guelph natives, most of them are travelling a long way to perform in Musicfest—pianist Robert Silverman from Vancouver, the Afiara String Quartet from San Francisco, Sadie Fields from Manchester, UK. Every concert promises to be high-calibre, and I hope you will agree and come back for another series of great music!

Ken Gee, artistic director