The Windwood Music Festival is Airdrie’s premier showcase for live classical music. Established three years ago by pianist Tong Wang and violinist Maitreyi Muralidharan, the pair share the goal of breaking down barriers that keep people from accessing a live performance.
“Bringing something like the Festival at the level we’re bringing it, and at the level of these musicians who come and help us and donate their time and energy, gives the whole community a chance to experience this thing that Tong and I have grown up loving,” explains Muralidharan.
Adds Wang: “It’s not always something people have the opportunity or the means to access.”
This was the reason the two Airdrie musicians launched the Festival.
They both come from conservatory backgrounds and first met in 2012 at North Carolina’s distinguished Brevard Music Festival. They met again at McGill University in Montreal and began playing together, performing all over Canada and the world.
“It was like magic. We had this automatic musical chemistry, and we both knew that we wanted more from this field, which has given us a lot,” says Muralidharan, adding that creating the festival has allowed both musicians to give back and show how accessible and beautiful the music be. Admittedly, it’s been a challenge.
“We’re coming from both sides of the equation where we want to offer our distinguished artists, who play in big concert halls, a professional space. But we also want to create these intimate spaces where musicians and people connect.”
The Windwood Music Festival is held on Aug. 9 and 10, and is the product of a two-week residency program for international musicians. Wang and Muralidharan chose five artists from a large group of applicants based on their innovative projects and vision for working within a local community. Depending on each resident’s interests, they will perform in public venues such as libraries, hospitals, the Airdrie Abilities Centre and even on a farm.
“Even though they’re young, working professionals, this is a rare incubator space for them to design their projects, rather than being plopped down in a concert space to play their piece,” says Wang. “They have to come up with ideas and contact the venue, and we guide and support them through that process.”
This year’s theme is Steampunk, a subgenre of science fiction not normally associated with classical music.
“Last year’s theme was Renaissance Fair, and people got dressed up for it. This year, we’re encouraging people of all ages to dress up. We’re giving our residents Steampunk costumes,” Muralidharan says.
The residents will perform music by Dmitri Shostakovich, Maurice Ravel, and other composers from the Industrial Revolution and more recent times.
“It’ll be a lot of big, beautiful classical pieces that fit into this Industrial theme,” Muralidharan says.
Adds Wang: “It’s going to be very badass.”
Day 1 of the festival begins at Bert Church Theatre.
“It’s a ticketed event. We want the artists to feel like they’ve been invited here to do a very high-level chamber music concert that honours the level of their performance,” Wang says.
Muralidharan and Wang will also be performing as the Windwood Trio with alumni resident cellist, David Dietz.
Day 2 is an all-day community festival at Chinook Winds Park.
“We want people to feel comfortable. Our musicians will play, other local musicians will play, there will be artists, and that event will be free,” Wang explains.
The lineup includes familiar faces from Airdrie’s music scene, the Calgary Civic Symphony, Nose Creek Theatre and many others.
“It’s not just musicians, it’s artists in Airdrie,” Muralidharan explains.
“Our mission is to make classical music more accessible, and the Festival does that,” Wang says.
Get the latest information at: windwoodfestival.com/news
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