I never turn down a conversation with Edwin Huizinga.
He’s a person who’s always bursting with enthusiasm about the projects he’s working on. And the project he’s currently working on is the upcoming Sweetwater Music Festival in Owen Sound. After five weeks in California, he’s currently in his home base in Cleveland where he’s preparing for his second year teaching music at his alma mater, which he’s pretty jazzed about. There’s always some excitement around the start of a new semester. But it’s no match for the excitement around the start of a week-long music festival, and his excitement for what’s in store for this area come September is evident.
He should be excited, and proud, about what he’s done as the Artistic Director of this increasingly popular local classical and jazz festival. In the last five years, he’s continued to grow Sweetwater into one of the most exciting and interesting festivals in this area. Each year, events take place throughout the week, some free and some ticketed, for diverse audiences of all ages.
What he’s got planned for this year will really blow people away. For example, “we somehow figured out a way to get the Canadian Chamber Choir to Owen Sound and that’s a really unique group,” he says. “I think every province and territory is represented in that choir and they only do Canadian music. They’re bringing this really beautiful Aboriginal singer to solo with them, her name is Sherryl Sewepagaham.”
There are a few other shows that have some buzz around them like the late-night show at Heartwood Hall with world renowned, award-winning soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, who is doing a really cool modern jazz influenced song cycle paired with Margaret Atwood’s poetry. It’s titled Zombie Blizzard, and you probably shouldn’t miss it.
Another one you shouldn’t miss is the Thursday evening at Harmony Centre where Rachel Fenlon, a self-accompanying singer-pianist, will perform Sing Nature Alive by Matthias McIntire, the 2024 Sweetwater Composer-in-Residence.
“[Rachel] is a woman who’s taking off in Europe but who’s not known too well in Canada,” says Edwin about this unique concert using multi-media alongside a contemporary piece. “I’ve never heard anyone do this except for her.”
It’s all part of a theme this year in which he’s trying to bring back Canadians doing well in other parts of the world. “Sometimes I think we don’t raise up our own amazing talented people. I want people to say ‘Yes, this woman has an international career and yes she’s Canadian.”
If you want to be a little closer to the action, this is the first year they are hosting a Gala, so get your ticket for the Grey Roots event on the Wednesday evening to support and celebrate the magic of SweetWater. The gala will be featuring the music of Haydn, Rossini, and Mozart, as well as an exclusive chamber music party with drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
The Historic Leith Church concerts are always a favourite of mine, and that’s happening on the Friday night this year. I’ve attended the festival for the past three years and every time I see a concert in the historic church, I’m always left with my cup filled. I rarely use the word magical, but that’s what an evening in the Leith Church is like.
There are also many free events scheduled throughout the week like a free concert in the amphitheatre at Nawash Park on Saturday afternoon with Cree-Dene singer/composer Sherryl Sewepagaham.
Tuesday is a cool little meet and greet where you can go hang with the Sweetwater crew of organizers and musicians at Georgian Bay School of the Arts. There is also a free artist talk on Friday evening at Grey Gallery with Rachel Fenlon and Matthias McIntyre, and a free Next Wave Showcase on Sunday afternoon at Harmony Centre with the best up and coming local talent.
A new event for this year is the Sound Journey in the Commons of the Harmony Centre with Stuart Reid leading a yoga class, which is also free.
And for the kiddos, there’s a Music for Munchkins on Saturday morning at Harmony Centre.
The festival always closes with a Meaford Hall concert on the Sunday, and this year it will contain a Tchaikovsky Serenade, a world premiere of Mathias’ piece as well as a tribute to Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot
“One of the interesting things about this festival coming up in September is that every show that we’re playing there’s a piece of contemporary music with the composer who’s going to be there,” says Edwin. “We’re showcasing some of the finest Canadian artists and also bringing to light how many of these artists today are also composing, having their own voice.”
If you haven’t figure it out already, I’m hoping it’s becoming abundantly clear now just how much thought and energy he puts into this festival. Edwin is a one of the most passionate musicians I’ve met and one of the most vocal advocates for going out to experience live music no matter what genre you subscribe to.
“Classical music as a genre or even a stereotype is no longer a thing. I’m doing some old music because it’s the same feeling for people in my world that you might get listening to a Beatles song, and then I’m doing some new music because it’s so important and it rocks in its own way, and it challenges us and makes us think about the current state of affairs. And then there’s all the things in between.”
In our chat, Edwin says something that strikes me as a simple truth, but one we sometimes forget: “Music can be part of all of our lives.” It’s poignant because it’s coming from a person who really believes that, and who’s actions match their words.
He really wants music to be available to everyone in this area. What he’s doing with Sweetwater is evidence of that. He’s even working on an initiative to bring a community orchestra to Owen Sound year-round.
So let music be a part of your life, at least from September 10 to 15 when Sweetwater is in town. Pick your event, or two or three by going to the Sweetwater website and we’ll see you there!
Written by Jesse Wilkinson
