Well,what a year it has been, and continues to be. We have been working diligently in the background to reimagine how we, the festival, can continue to transform while pivoting towards a digital focus. On behalf of our board of directors and general manager, I am incredibly excited to present to you our hybrid Open Ears Festival 2021 (#OE21). Once again, this year’s festival brings some of the world’s highest caliber musicians to our region, featuring local, national and international award-winning soloists and ensembles.

In 2021, we continue to engage with long-standing partners and supporters of Open Ears, while developing new relationships, new sponsors and new donors. We are grateful for the ongoing support for Open Ears and for the shared belief and confidence in the future of the festival.

Open Ears will present numerous performances and workshops to appease your curiosity, and highlight the many cultural activities in our area, including the internationally renowned pianist Eve Egoyan. We also have performances including world premieres, sound installations, multi-media, player pianos, radios, and  newly-invented instruments. There is a variety of music, and sound, to transform everyone.

I can’t wait to see you online throughout the festival!

Richard Burrows

Artistic Director