Caledon Music Festival enchants crowds; more shows to come

Festival opened August 4 with a concert at the Alton Mill Arts Centre

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The sound of beautiful music filled the village of Alton on Sunday. 

On August 4, the first show of the 2024 Caledon Music Festival was held at the Alton Mill Arts Centre's outdoor event space. It was a concert titled “Friends of Chamber Music” and featured rotating combinations of world-class musicians performing to a sold-out crowd. 

Terry Lim, an accomplished flute player and the person who organizes the Caledon Music Festival each year, said he was feeling great about the turnout for this year's festival and that each year, the Caledon Music Festival performers and attendees grow closer.

There are many musicians that return to perform at the festival each year, and many returning concertgoers, too. 

Lim said one of the great things about the Caledon Music Festival is that it gives young musicians who are still in school a chance to play with professional musicians who play in groups like the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Lim said he remembers when he was a young musician, he was given the same sort of opportunity, and it really expanded his musical horizons. 

“In the future, we want to make the festival bigger and provide even more opportunities for young musicians,” said Lim. “I always try to program the festival in a way that everyone can enjoy it.”

There's still time to catch a concert in this year's Caledon music festival.

At 7:30 p.m. on August 14, there will be a concert called “Cello Recital” at Caledon East United Church. Performing at the show will be cello virtuoso Daniel Hamin Go and pianist Ben Smith.

Lim said Hamin Go was a fan-favourite at the 2023 Caledon Music Festival, so he wanted to give him a showcase performance.

“Everybody loved him, he's so charismatic on the stage,” said Lim. 

Lim said the music Hamin Go is set to perform will be very romantic, and that combined with the venue will make for an intimate concert experience. 

The final show of this year's Caledon Music Festival will be held at 2 p.m. on August 18 at the Alton Mill Arts Centre. The “Passions and Storms” concert will bring together the combined musical talents of everyone that's a part of this year's Caledon Music Festival.

To learn more about the Caledon Music Festival or purchase tickets for a show, those interested can visit caledonmusicfest.ca.