DALHOUSIE, New Brunswick, July 10, 2008 - Residents and visitors to the Restigouche area will be able to appreciate chamber music in all its forms, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament
(New Brunswick South West), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for the Baie des Chaleurs Chamber Music Festival.
The $32,000 in funding will help the organization present its 12th festival, which takes place from July 10 to 13. Since 1997, the Baie des Chaleurs International Chamber Festival has presented chamber music ranging from the baroque to the romantic styles and drawing from both ancient music and works by contemporary composers. The festival emphasizes the creation and presentation of the works of Canadian composers and combines performances with other artistic disciplines such as dance, literature, and theatre. Every year, the festival presents a concert by a young, emerging artist from New Brunswick to give him or her a chance to perform in a professional setting. This year's event features five performances, which will bring together 23 artists from New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and England.
"The Government of Canada is proud to announce this funding for the Baie des Chaleurs International Chamber Music Festival," said Minister Verner. "This event encourages the creation of ties between the artists and their audiences, enabling them to appreciate and discover chamber music in its various forms."
"Thanks to the Baie des Chaleurs International Chamber Music Festival, residents and visitors to the Restigouche area can appreciate and discover renowned artists," said Minister Thompson. "Our Government is proud to improve accessibility to the arts in all regions of our country."
"The support we have received from Canadian Heritage for the last twelve years has enabled us to develop a major concert series featuring renowned international artists from around the world," said Lucille Ouellette, artistic and general director of the Festival. "Thanks to our Stepping Stone for Young Artists series and our young audiences activities, we are able to prepare tomorrow's new talents and contribute to cultural development in our region while promoting chamber music for all to enjoy."
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Arts Presentation Canada Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women, Official Languages and for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Claudine Daigle
Director, Regional Communications
Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506 851-3980
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
1 866 569-6155
