• Jul
  • 09

Westben Promotional Video

We've said it before, and we'll say it again. Westben is the realization of a dream, and we're excited that this blog gives us the opportunity to share our dream with you in a very personal and interactive way.

Here's a video that we put together a few years ago that gives you some insight into what this dream of ours is all about. As always, your comments are welcome. We look forward to hearing what you think about it.

 

Comments

Love this site, great work they integrated!

Posted on July 9, 2008 at 8:02am – Author: shawn

I would just like to say the new site looks amazing.  They integrated did an amazing job.
Good work guys.

Posted on July 11, 2008 at 10:28am – Author: James Davidson

I agree Shawn, really great interactive site!

Posted on July 12, 2008 at 10:13am – Author: Donna

I’m still dealing with the emotional high from Saturday’s Schubertiad - and I just spent an evening with Brian playing my favourites.  What a venue!  What talent! I can’t believe my good fortune to live near to this amazing place. The upcoming programs are the best (Michael Burgess, Louis Lortie!) and then the show-stopper:  Taste of Westben.  This is turning out to be the best summer ever!

Posted on July 15, 2008 at 10:50pm – Author: Liana

I have known Brian since Jr. High School.  Listening to him play Piano and trumpet in the school band or at his house was one of the highlights of my school years.  I am so glad to see what he has accomplished since High School and if I am ever in Ontario again I will make a point of stopping in to see this wonderful place. This is a wonderful website and I will visit it often.  All the best in your future endeavors Brian and Donna.

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 2:11am – Author: Sue Reeson Gwin

The concerts at the barn have been simply wonderful. I’ve just recently returned from the Lerner and Lowe concert- and boy! what a great afternoon—dramatic musical theatre in the midst of Northumberland Hills.Don’t miss the upcoming Louis Lortie—Death in Venice—concert—It also promises to be unique and spectacular evening.

Posted on July 25, 2008 at 2:27pm – Author: patti

Yes, I am really excited to hear Louis Lortie play the Fazioli piano in The Barn too.  Saturday Night at the Opera sounds wonderful too.

Posted on July 25, 2008 at 9:30pm – Author: Donna

Check out Louis Lortie’s web site.  He is performing at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and in Paris at the Theatre des Champs de Elyees before coming to Westben in Campbellford.  We are so lucky to have him in this community.

Posted on July 26, 2008 at 8:52am – Author: Wanda

I am still riding an emotional high after last night’s Saturday Night at the Opera concert.  WOW!!!
As wonderful as it is to see and hear “old” friends on stage, I particularly enjoyed both Monica Whicher and Beth Turnbull’s contribution to the show.  They are a couple of superb singers and together with Gary Relyea and Keith Klassen, the evening was an outstanding success.  Special thanks goes to Brian Finley for his exquisitely performed Liebestod from Trisan and Isolde.  It was evident that he was performing it in celebration of his love for his wife, and it was very easy to get swept up in the emotion of it.  Lucky wife!!!

Posted on July 27, 2008 at 2:33pm – Author: Kathleen

Yikes! If it had been explained that the Lortie concert was a World Premiere of a totally avant garde/atonal composition, I would have stayed home. Not even an encore was called for. Hmmmmmm….

Posted on July 30, 2008 at 2:53am – Author: Nancy

I’m glad to have been at the concert Tuesday night when Louis Lortie presented his new work, and I must say that it was a new (to me)  and very interesting concept. It was, as he mentioned in the intro, very challenging. But I have not been able to stop thinking about it, and for me,  something that make me think is always a good thing. Thanks! It’s been a great season so far, and am really looking forward to the rest!

Posted on July 31, 2008 at 5:11pm – Author: Judy

What a fabulous evening of beautiful music.  Michael Burgess and Brian Finley.  Awesome.  We are still reliving it.  Thank you so much.  It was quite a treat.

Posted on August 4, 2008 at 9:38pm – Author: Shirley and Paul

I am writing to thank Brian, Donna,Simon and Michael Burgess of course should be included, for such an amazing concert a few weeks ago at the Barn.  The sun shone (an amazing feat for this summer!), and the heat in the Barn was just lovely!  Brian is truly such an accomplished artist, and Michael Burgess without Mic made a truly spectacular evening.  I ran into friends and acquainrances from Port Hope and Cobourg - one couple who took advantage of the weekend special.  Great reviews, a spectacular performance, and it still remains in my mind.

Thank you Brian and Donna for providing such an amazing venue, and allowing us to take part in your success as you continue to Dream, Beleive and Acheive.  Your audience will also no doubt agree.

Katherine Smith

Posted on August 10, 2008 at 10:22pm – Author: Katherine Smith

Thanks for all the wonderful comments on the new Westben blog.  Every comment is appreciated and welcome!  Brian and I just spent two weeks at a family cottage and had time to mull over the season. We have many fun memories of the varied performances.  What a thrill it is for Westben to welcome so many talented and varied artists to the Barn and introduce them to our beautiful Trent Hills community!  The artists seem to love performing in The Barn and the experience of making music in the midst of nature. Mike Siracusa during his performance of Portuguese Fado event stopped to comment on the beautiful fields and birds. Artists often comment on the intimacy they feel with the audience.  They can see the smiles (or puzzlement!)on faces and feel the response immediately.  Often in larger halls all one sees are white lights! 
As usual there was never a dull moment behind the scenes, a few last minute programming changes, traffic holding up the performers, patient caterers waiting to serve Abendbrot, costumes ripping with 30 seconds to go, just the usual things!  Luckily Westben’s great staff including Teresa, Cathy, April, Andrew, and James as well as Marilyn and her many volunteers, were there to help make things smooth sailing. 
As we all know, Augustin Dumay had to unfortunately had to cancel all of his North American performances this summer.  Louis Lortie then offered to bring his world premiere Death in Venice visual concert with film maker Mathieu Roy. We received several emails about the concert most positive and a couple who found it challenging.  Louis’ next stop was Orford, Quebec and then to Ottawa where he received rave reviews.  I hope Westben will always offer a variety of concerts some traditional and some not.  However, it is my job as Marketing Director to make sure that the audience is aware of what they are buying a ticket for and I apologize if this has not always been clear.  Part of the Westben experience is that Pocket of Joy, a little surprise of something extra. However, we hope the surprises are fun!  Westben is a dream for sure and it takes many hands to make it happen.  Members, sponsors, granting bodies, ticket buyers and volunteers all help to make this music and memory making possible.  Big thanks ofcourse to our Artistic Director, Brian Finley for doing such a great job and continually being cheery.
Thanks again for blogging and sharing the fun - keep it coming!
(Just a note that all the orange
t-shirts sold and Brian couldn’t be happier).

Posted on August 26, 2008 at 4:15pm – Author: Donna Bennett

I just wanted to say how happy Westben is with our guest performing artists that are going to be performing at Westben’s fall fundraiser.  This year in Westben’s meadow , our guest performers will be Portuguese Fado singer Catarina Cardeal and guitarist Mike Siracusa, along with tenor Mark Dubois, soprano Donna Bennett and pianist Brian Finley and finally the jazz trio from Stairway Jazz.  Come and join us in the meadow and get your taste of Tuscany.

Posted on September 3, 2008 at 11:20am – Author: James Davidson

great site, great post. thanks

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Posted on June 19, 2009 at 6:11pm – Author: asian shirts

Thank you! Excellent post!

Posted on September 30, 2009 at 11:53pm – Author: mp3real

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