Simcoe Guitar Festival

This inaugural festival brings international classical guitarists to Burton Ave United Church, 37 Burton Avenue, for a full day spanning 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Workshops run 10am-1:30pm, the concert begins at 3pm, and a masterclass follows at 5pm.

Headliners represent exceptional international talent. Emma Rush, Canada, one of the country’s top classical guitarists from Hamilton, has toured China, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, and the USA while founding the Hamilton International Guitar Festival, 2011-2019. Matthew McAllister, Scotland, lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and director of Classical Guitar Retreat, has performed at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Purcell Room London, and Carnegie Hall.

Workshop faculty includes Joe Huron, celebrated jazz guitarist and educator, and artistic director Tim Beattie, named one of CBC Music’s “Hot 30 Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30” with Carnegie Hall and Concertgebouw performances. Workshops cover classical, fingerstyle technique, improvisation and blues, and ensemble playing for all ages and levels.

Pricing structures the day flexibly:

Full Festival Pass, all workshops, lessons, concert: $125
Concert Only, advance: $35
Concert Only, door: $40
Students, under 16: $15
Low-income tickets available at $10

Tickets available through Eventbrite. Free parking behind the church with access from Burton Avenue.

Kempenfelt Bay and Horseshoe Valley frame the Barrie experience.

Barrie occupies the shores of Kempenfelt Bay, a 14.5-kilometre arm of Lake Simcoe reaching 41.5 metres deep. The festival venue sits approximately 1.5-2 kilometres inland from the waterfront with its 5+ kilometres of scenic trails, Spirit Catcher sculpture, installed 1987, and Heritage Park. January brings prime ice fishing season when up to 4,000 huts dot the frozen bay, contributing $28+ million annually to the local economy.

Horseshoe Valley resort lies just 20-26 kilometres, 20 minutes, north, offering 29 alpine runs, six chairlifts, and 30+ kilometres of groomed cross-country trails. The January 24 festival date coincides perfectly with peak ski season, visitors can ski during the day and catch the 3pm concert, or attend the full festival day and ski Sunday.

GO Transit operates regular train and bus service from Toronto, approximately one hour via Highway 400, with the station near downtown and the waterfront.