POSTPONED
The Westerlies: (postponed to August 2)
Please note that our concert with the Westerlies has been postponed to August 2, but will stil be held at SAW Gallery at 9:30 PM. Ticketholders with questions can reach out to our box office team at 613-234-6306.
The Westerlies, “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk” (New York Times), are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of childhood friends Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands (trumpet) and Andy Clausen and Willem de Koch (trombone). From Carnegie Hall to Coachella, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues and projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along. Formed in 2011, the self-described “accidental brass quartet” explore jazz, roots, and chamber music influences to create that rarest of hybrids: music that is both “folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” (NPR Music).
For their Chamberfest debut, The Westerlies will present music from their new album Move (available for purchase in your favourite format), a bold and ferociously unique vision of brass that exclusively features the music of living composers. Traditional expectations of brass repertoire are overturned as works originally written for string quartet, solo piano, and the human voice are reinvented through The Westerlies’ kaleidoscopic lens. Leading composers of our time including Caroline Shaw and Nico Muhly are presented alongside new works by each member of the ensemble. Imbued with the spirit of improvisation and a folk-like approachability, enjoy an informal atmosphere at Club SAW as The Westerlies present this body of music with their signature precision and virtuosity, in the process crafting a sound that is warm and tactile, bold and expressive, and at once familiar while remaining completely their own.
More Concerts
Festival 2023
Experience five spectacular programs on our Signature Series, featuring large-scale collaborations between world-renowned musicians at Ottawa’s Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. The 2024 Signature Series is generously sponsored by Bytek Volkswagen & Carling Volvo.
Concerts immersed in Beechwood’s history and beauty, from its beloved sanctuary to the expansive grounds, complemented by the serene hours of the early morning.
These performances are outdoors. You will need to bring your own seating and weather protection if desired.
Sunrise Concerts are made possible with the generous support of Beechwood Cemetery.
Piano Portfolio is a new series from Ottawa Chamberfest that allows us to explore the depth and scope of piano music within the context of Ottawa Chamberfest’s Festival and Concert Series programming.
Chamberfest’s Piano Portfolio series is presented with the generous support of Marg Campbell.
Early Music Now is a new series from Ottawa Chamberfest that allows us to explore the depth and scope of early music within the context of Ottawa Chamberfest’s Festival and Concert Series programming.
Chamberfest’s Early Music Now series is presented with the generous support of Nicole Presentey.
The New Music Now series is a celebration of the breadth and vitality of today’s new classical culture. Explore the sonic range of today’s most creative musical minds at Chamberfest’s annual miniseries. Join us on Monday, August 5 for multiple events in a variety of spaces within Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, all accessible with the New Music Now: All-NMN Event Pass.
Buy all-NMN Event Pass
This series celebrates Canada’s world-class standard in chamber performance, featuring string and piano ensembles, choirs, baroque music, singers, dancers, and a bit of jazz. This series also hosts Chamberfest’s 30ᵗʰ Anniversary Celebration on closing night! Taking place at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, these concerts are generously supported by Marina Kun (of Ottawa-based and internationally loved Kun Shoulder Rests).
Our late-night Chamberfringe concerts cross genres and art forms, pushing the boundaries of chamber music with daring and electric performances. Offering everything from lively Arabic jazz to Middle Eastern-Metal fusion, Indigenous beats, and ambient chamber-electronica to Yiddish folk song, or a full-on Ukrainian-Celtic-Arab mashup, there’s always something fresh to check out!
Our Chamberfringe shows take place at La Nouvelle Scène, Club SAW, and The Gladstone Theatre, providing a more casual setting where audiences can enjoy beverages and immerse themselves in the buzzing late-night atmosphere.
Our Chamber Chats: Festival Edition features interactive interviews with festival musicians in person at Woodside hall.
Fourteen-day Chamberfest 2021 passholders can exclusively enjoy musical experiences – from full-length concerts to bite-sized adventures – featuring Chamberfriends in Berlin, Paris, New York City, and North Macedonia. Including Hinrich Alpers, Quatuor Danel, Rob Kapilow, Lara St. John, and Simon Trpčeski.
The Live From… series is digital-only content, part of your Festival Livestream Pass and available in the Livestream Library until August 6. Single ticket access to Hinrich Alpers Live from Hanover and Quatuor Danel Live from Antwerp will be available in July, with the generous support of the Embassy of Germany and the Embassy of France. All digital content from Simon Trpčeski, Rob Kapilow, and Lara St. John is exclusive for Festival Livestream Passholders.
Held within Ottawa’s historic and beautiful Beechwood Cemetery, the Beechwood Series features performances that lend themselves to reflection and contemplation, both in its beloved Sacred Space and on the expansive grounds. The Beechwood Series is made possible with the generous support of Beechwood Cemetery
Celebrate the piano at the home of our longtime partners, Steinway Piano Gallery Ottawa.
The Steinway Series is made possible with the generous support of the Steinway Piano Gallery Ottawa.
Chamberfest’s visiting artists give fun, family-friendly, and interactive performances that teach young people about music-making in small ensembles. Kids can experience and explore the storied world of chamber music at our summer music festival. Free admission. These performances usually take place at Ottawa City Hall or the National Arts Centre (Glass Thorstenson Staircase) and are intended for kids (and guardians!) of all ages.
Get out into the open air with various festival performers for al fresco concerts in downtown Ottawa.
These performances are outdoors. Seating will be limited, and you may need to bring your own weather protection if desired.
Please note that due to heat warnings this weekend, these concerts will take place inside Rideau Hall in the Tent Room.
Eclectic programming resonates against a backdrop of vinyl, vintage speakers, and reel-to-reel at legendary music destination and beloved Wellington staple, The Record Centre. Here, artists are at play: exploring and expanding their creativity in this casual space.
Seating will not be available.
This summer, our festival offers a rich selection of online content broadcast live from Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in Ottawa.
Chamberfest’s Community Engagement and Education pillar (CEE) engages community members of all ages through a diverse range of meaningful music experiences. Whether on stage, online, or on the streets, CEE changes lives through music.
