Here's hoping that you are enjoying a wonderful spring, and we can promise a great series of live concert experiences in the summer of 2010. Happily, great Canadian musicians know that Indian River is THE place to be each summer, so we don't have any trouble attracting the very best. Once here, the warmth and hospitality shown them is what makes them want to come back. Our exquisite venue, St. Mary's Church has been our home since the beginning and we are so lucky to be able to continue to share this glorious space and the splendid acoustics with everyone. The health and vitality of the building and its historical importance in the community goes hand in hand with the presentation of world class musical events... always will. And speaking of world class musical events, the 2010 season is coming along swimmingly with a wealth of fantastic things to look forward to. We are thrilled to be able to say that we will welcome once again, one of the finest singers on international stages today, the lovely and gracious Isabel Bayrakdarian and her superb collaborator, Serouj Kradjian, who are both looking forward to watching their son toddle along a beautiful PEI beach! When you glance through the line up you'll see that we have the very best musicians representing a multitude of genres... celtic, choral, chamber music, music theatre, baroque, jazz...we've got plenty for everyone! Plan to bring your friends and family to our great little festival. You won't regret it!

Take some time to browse through our website. You will find all the concert listings on the left column of the main page or you can click on the calendar for a complete description of all the performances.

Warm regards... see you in July!
Robert Kortgaard
Artistic Director

St. Mary's Church Restoration

We are delighted to announce that Phase 1 of the major restoration of St. Mary’s is underway. The work entails primarily structural items, such as replacement of roof shingles, repairs to the foundation, repointing of chimney bricks, some new windows etc., as well as bringing the electrical and heating systems up to code and installing a fire safety system.

As activities are scheduled so as not to interfere with Festival concerts, work is expected to continue into late fall.

Funding for Phase 1 is being provided through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Stimulus Agreement in the amount of $238,076. Festival supporters generously contributed $35,000 and an additional $86,985 came from the existing St. Mary’s Restoration Fund. The total cost of the project is $360,000.

Donation For:

Church Restoration Fund Festival Operation Fund Use According to Best Need

René Hurtubise
Chair, Indian River Festival

Recent Press Reviews

"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."

Robert Everett-Green, Globe and Mail, June 2007

"St Mary's Church in Indian River, PEI is quite simply the best place to hear live classical music performed in Atlantic Canada."

Adrian Hoffman, CBC host and producer

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.