By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
For a third year, the highly anticipated Lion’s Head Summer Music returns to the Harbourside Stage. The Lion’s Head Summer Music will run from July 29 to August 2, 2024 starting each evening at 7 p.m. at the Harbourside Stage in Lion’s Head. The rain alternative will be the Rotary Hall, Lion’s Head.
As the 2023 season drew to a close, many concert goers said they were already looking forward to the 2024 season. Receiving rave reviews with many patrons saying the event was as good, if not better, than many similar classical music events hosted in the cities.
Free and accessible to everyone
Co-organizer Dominik Franken says the goal of the event is to provide an opportunity to listen to classical music and to be accessible to all. With a modest budget of $5,000, consisting of a $3,000 grant from Grey Bruce Community Foundation and based on previous years’ donations, concert goers’ contributions of $2,000, Franken aims to offer the high quality of music and organization that the event is becoming known for.
One of the attractions for the performers, says Franken, is the catered meal held in the gardens of residents Judith Friend and Gerry Gregory. Also, each act is offered $500 as an honorarium and to offset their mileage.
Another attraction, many of the musicians say, is the appreciative audience and the stunning venue with the Lion’s Head waterfront and bluffs which make it one of their favorite places to perform.
Classical music concerts held over five nights
On July 29, the opening night will feature the Georgian Bay Woodwind Quintet with Meryl Gillmore (flute), Heather Willmes (oboe), Rob Tite (clarinet), Jaime McCormick (horn), and Sterling MacNay (bassoon).
On July 30, performing will be the 26+ member Southampton Concert Band, made up of brass, woodwind and percussion players and under the baton of musical director John Wills.
Sebastian Ostertag, formerly of Owen Sound, will perform with his string quartet on July 31. Dominik Franken, a well-known local musician, will join the group for the evening performance.
On August 1, two local Choirs, The Spirit Singers and the Ladies of Note will entertain concert goers.
On Closing Night, August 2, which is also the Harbourside Music timeslot, patrons will enjoy the sounds of the Rosin Dust Community Orchestra, a String Ensemble from Owen Sound. Rosin Dust, joined by Sarah Pratt-Parsamian and Dominik Franken, will be performing the music of Telemann, Vivaldi and Elgar.
The evening performance will be in memory of Carol Mulder. Mulder was a co-organizer for the Lion’s Head Summer Music concert series and a member of the popular Trio Garagio.
An audience favorite, New York based violinist Sarah Pratt-Parsamian also hosts an annual classical music concert series “Music on the Bruce”. For more info on this series, visit www.musiconthebruce.com/schedule
For more information on Lion’s Head Summer Music, please visit their Facebook site: www.facebook.com/groups/1605597856337143/
