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 Click here for the latest news and updates.   A Confederation Bridge 15th Anniversary Concert with Natalie MacMaster, Sunday, June 10, 2012.
Natalie MacMaster is a member of the Order of Canada, a Juno award winner, and the majority of her 11 albums have reached gold status (50,000 records sold), and received an honorary doctorate from St. Thomas University and honorary degrees from Niagara University, NY, and Trent University. She is best known as a virtuoso fiddler, thrilling audiences around the world – including those at Carnegie Hall and Massey Hall -- with her invigorating prowess while serving as a music ambassador to her beloved traditional Cape Breton sound. Married to fellow fiddler Donnell Leahy of Leahy, the mother of four performs an average of 100 dates a year, co-hosts the annual Leahy Music Camp with her husband and his band in Lakefield, Ontario, has appeared multiple times on the CBC, Canada A.M. and Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion; and warmed TV viewers with guest spots on Christmas specials like Rita MacNeil’s Christmas and Holiday Festival On Ice with Olympic ice skaters Jamie Sale, David Pelletier, Kurt Browning and world champion Jeffrey Buttle. MacMaster’s talents have also been in-demand by her peers, contributing to albums by Ma, The Chieftains; children’s entertainer Raffi; banjo prodigy Béla Fleck; fellow fiddling marvel Alison Krauss, with whom Natalie played a duet on Krauss’s A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection; Dobro specialist Jerry Douglas, singer Hayley Westenra; former Doobie Brother and classic R&B interpreter Michael McDonald and, most recently, Thomas Dolby’s new album Map Of The Floating City. The 2012 season of the Indian River Festival promises to be the most exciting and eclectic yet, from exquisite classical performances, the best in Canadian singer/songwriters to choral, world and big band music...there's something for everyone this season. For more information and tickets, simply click on the calendar dates or go to the Concerts link on the left panel. From Robert Kortgaard, Artistic Director Greetings.... Another great summer of music making is planned for 2012! Sincerely, Robert Kortgaard 
Recent Press Reviews"In my life, I have oft been present in a theatre or other venue when standing ovations have been proferred by an audience as the sincerest form of appreciation said audience could offer to performers who have entertained them, and perhaps moved them and touched them during the preceding couple of hours.
The standing "O" should be a rare and special appreciation, reserved for very special tributes to artistry on stage. It is cheapened when it becomes a sort of Pavlovian response, due on every occasion, almost demanded from an audience as a ritual of attendance.
And I have been present on occasions when it was undeserved, when the performance on stage was pedestrian to the point of boredom.
But I have seldom participated in a standing "O" as spontaneous, as prolonged and so richly deserved as the one that erupted when the last notes of Carmina Burina faded away in the glorious ambience of St. Mary's Church at Indian River on the evening of July 3.
It is a remarkable and joyful thing to have the spirit lifted and caressed by a work of true artistic merit and worth. That is what happened communally that evening as the Indian River Festival launched its summer season."
"This summer-long event at a French Gothic church near the western PEI town of Kensington may have the best collection of musicans of any small festival in the country. There's a strong emphasis on the voice, with visits by sopranos Isabel Bayrakdarian, Nathalie Paulin and Suzie LeBlanc; baritone Peter Barrett; cabaret singer Patricia O'Callaghan; Punjabi ghazal singer Kiran Ahluwalia; vocal ensemble musica intima and Cape Breton singer-songwriter J.P. Cormier. There are also performances by the Gryphon Trio and a versatile supporting ensemble anchored by pianists Peter Tiefenbach and Robert Kortgaard, who steers the whole thing as artistic director." "St Mary's Church in Indian River, PEI is quite simply the best place to hear live classical music performed in Atlantic Canada."
A world of fine music, classical, jazz, maritime and world, is to be found at the Indian River Festival, held annually through July and August at St. Mary's Church, located in beautiful, picturesque Prince Edward Island (PEI). We are proud to say this is the 13th Anniversary of the Indian River Festival and we invite music lovers from all over the world to PEI, St. Mary's Church and truly a most spectacular music festival. Here at the Indian River Music Festival you will experience the cream of our local PEI and maritime performers as well as international, classical and jazz artists performing in the near-perfect acoustical setting of St. Mary's Church, designed by famed PEI architect, William Critchlow Harris, over a century ago. You are invited to peruse the Indian River Music Festival catalog of fine concert offerings for this season. Make your selections and purchase your choices online. You may book using your Visa, Mastercard, Amex or Discover card through Paypal, a name you can trust. We also invite you to consider membership in the Indian River Festival and some of our exciting music festival packages as well as a visit to the historic venue of the music festival, St. Mary's Church.
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We open the 2012 season with a very special celebration concert. The Confederation Bridge marks its 15th anniversary this year and to celebrate, Natalie MacMaster, one of Canada's most dynamic performers, will be in performance on Sunday, June 10 at 7:30pm at St. Mary's Church, Indian River.
Tickets will be available the first week in April and can be purchased online or by phone (1-866-856-3733)
I never tire of answering the questions frequently asked of me as I travel around the country and interact with music lovers of all stripes.... "how are things coming along for Indian River?". "What are the high-lights of the season?", they want to know. Always a tough question. To bring the very best of the best to our faithful audience is always our aim,and each year the amazing variety of musical styles for all musical tastes is a wonder to behold. Our top priority is to present musical excellence that is respectful of the unique acoustic qualities of our cherished venue. I've yet to meet a musician who has not been thrilled by the ease with which they can communicate the most intimate, delicate moments of their musical scores. I am thrilled to see the line up of talent and personalities we are looking forward to presenting this season. Each year, with the help of countless contributors, we seem to be upholding our reputation for providing a truly meaningful Indian River Festival experience for so many. The music itself is obviously a big part of it, but, as always, beautiful and historic St Mary's and the surrounding countryside, plus the warmth and hospitality of the Prince Edward Islanders in the area, make for an unforgettable experience. There's so much to do and see in this wonderful Malpeque Bay region, and so much great music going on down that little country road that leads to our astoundingly beautiful venue. We invite you to come and spend a few days with us this summer. You'll never forget your Indian River Festival experience!
