 Presented by Confederation Bridge
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Greetings!
As I write this, leaves are quickly turning brilliant reds and oranges, the temperature has fallen to a seasonal chilliness, and summer has faded into memory .... but what a great summer it was at the Indian River Festival. We had excellent audiences for what proved to be the highest level of artistry ever presented in beautiful St. Mary's Church. Several full enthusiastic houses must indicate that there is a hunger for a gratifying, live music experience. Music matters to most people, and this past season proved that if a season of high quality performances of many different musical styles is offered, people will come from near and far away.
This past summer I had the distinct feeling that somehow we have "arrived" ... which sounds kind of odd since we have been around for a full decade. But, more than ever, I feel as though we are an important part of the community surrounding Indian River and that we would be missed by a lot of people if we were to disappear. The warmth and generosity of the many volunteers, the continued support of sponsors and benefactors, and the devotion to the cause exhibited by the board members and office staff, all seems to have settled into a state of comfort and pride within the community.
The 2009 season is well into the planning stages. I have to say that EVERYONE wants to come to perform at the Indian River Festival. Presenting a well balanced season of world class performances in many music genres will continue to be my goal. Please check back to this website as the months go by to see what exciting things fall into place. If the cold winter weather starts to get you down, think ahead to the PEI summer and the many opportunities for a glorious Indian River Festival experience .... as always, we promise the splendid acoustics of beautiful, historic St. Mary's Church, the oysters on the half shell on the lawn, and music you can hear with your heart.
Robert Kortgaard
Artistic Director
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.

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Featured Concerts
Welcome to the Indian River Festival and some of our featured concerts.
Cantabile - Comedy and the Classics
Friday, July 11, 7:30
From London, England, Cantabile has been delighting audiences since 1982 with their amazing range of programmes and vocal versatility from a cappella favorites to sacred music, with some jazz and swing thrown in... superb harmonies and pure entertainment. Cantabile - The London Quartet, is outstanding in all singing styles!
From Shanghai with Love - Susanne Hou
Sunday, August 17, 7:30 pm
She’s absolutely phenomenal, said Lord Yehudi Menuhin. Strad Magazine says her sound is strangely strong yet delicate; her technique near flawless. Need we say more? International competition awards, glowing reviews from around the globe and the loan of a rare and exquisite violin from the Canada Council instrument bank. Within the sweet acoustics of St. Mary’s Church, this is a performance that can’t be missed.
Summer’s Tide Dawn Langstroth
Friday, July 18th, 7:30 pm
Into the circle of life and music comes Dawn Langstroth, singer and songwriter from Toronto, whose roots run deep within the Maritimes. A rising star whose musical heritage is of such iconic stature that you won’t be surprised by how she will win your heart!
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