Boxwood Festival & Workshop

Boxwood Festivals and Workshops
GenreVarious Traditional Genre
DatesVaries
Location(s)Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. Waipu, New Zealand. Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
Years active1996–present
Founded byChris Norman and Rod Garnett
Websitehttp://www.boxwood.org

The Boxwood Festivals and Workshops are a series of music and dance festivals and workshops produced by Boxwood Festivals, Ltd., which "aims to provide opportunities for the dissemination, sharing, presentation and celebration of traditional music." There are three multi-day festivals scheduled annually, and other one-off workshops throughout the world.[1] During these three festivals participants are joined by the local community for music, concerts, dances, classes, and informal music sessions.[2] The music workshops are open to players of any instrument and skill level.[3] The three annual events include classes led by Boxwood's Director, wooden flute player Chris Norman[4], for which he was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal,[5] and Cape Breton fiddle and Baroque violinist David Greenberg. Other artists are invited to lead classes at the Boxwood Canada and Boxwood Williamsburg festivals.

Founded in 1996 by Chris Norman and University of Wyoming professor Rod Garnett,[6] the first festival took place at the University of Wyoming. Originally a music camp for flute players and enthusiasts, the event has grown to be multiple festivals involving players, makers, and enthusiasts of other instrument and art forms, including voice and dance.[7]

Boxwood Canada

With more than 80 participants from around the world,[8][9] The Boxwood Canada festival is the largest of the Boxwood Festival and Workshop events and takes place in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. This was the initial event in the lineup with the first festival taking place at the University of Wyoming in 1996. The event moved from Wyoming, USA to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1998[3][10] and has run every year since.

During the week long festival there are workshops on various styles of music, song, and dance based on the artists present for that year.[8] The Boxwood Canada event includes daytime sessions for children[11] (ages 5–12) and teens as well as the adult program. The week is followed by the "Best of Boxwood" Musique Royale tour[12][13] showcasing some of the artists who lead the masterclass style workshops.

Evening concerts and dances are also presented.[9] These are ticketed events for any local residences or visitors who have not registered for the daily workshops and free to all registered for the entire week.

Music sessions occur nightly during the week, often in local establishments. These offer nonparticipants another opportunity to experience the music of the festival.

Boxwood New Zealand

Boxwood New Zealand,[14] which began in 2004,[3] is held in Waipu, New Zealand is one week during the end of September/beginning of October. It also provides "classes, performances, sessions and social dancing."[15][16]

Boxwood Williamsburg

Boxwood Williamsburg occurs in Historic Williamsburg, Virginia. It has been held in March and April and is now settling into the second weekend after Easter. Group workshops, private lessons, and traditional music sessions are provided to participants. An evening performance is also offered which is free to participants and also available as a single ticket item to anyone wishing to attend.[17][18]

Boxwood New Australia

Boxwood Australia was first held in Queenscliff, Victoria on 20–22 November 2015

References

  1. ^ Boxwood Festival and Workshop Canadian Music Centre
  2. ^ Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Guest Artist Biography: Chris Norman, flute[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b c Boxwood festival celebrates tenth year in Lunenburg[permanent dead link], South Shore Now, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, 18 July 2007. Retrieved on 21 October 2013
  4. ^ Shapiro, Stephanie. "Hot date: Helicon's winter concert". The Baltimore Sun, 18 December 2003.
  5. ^ "RESOLUTION NO. 1797 (to recognize Christopher Norman's receipt of the Diamond Jubilee Award)". Proceedings of the Nova Scotia Legislature, Hansard, 6 November 2013.
  6. ^ Rod Garnett Professor Ethnomusicology Archived 14 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 31 December 2013
  7. ^ Hirtle, Robert. "Boxwood Festival faculty lineup announced". Bridgewater Bulletin and Lunenburg Progress Enterprise, 3 February 2009.
  8. ^ a b Boxwood fest offers host of public events, including baroque ensemble Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Chronicle Herald, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 19 July 2013. Retrieved on 21 October 2013
  9. ^ a b "Boxwood Festival presents trio of public events". The Lunenburg County Progress Bulletin SmartEdition.
  10. ^ Welcome to Lunenburg, NS: Boxwood Festival & Workshop 2013[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ Boxwood Festival to offer children's program, South Shore Now, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, 14 June 2011. Retrieved on 21 November 2013
  12. ^ Arts In Brief Chronicle Herald, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 21 July 2012. Retrieved on 21 November 2013
  13. ^ Best of Boxwood 2013[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ Local Matters: Boxwood heading to Waipu
  15. ^ Boxwood Festival and Serendipity in Waipu. Bindlestiff.
  16. ^ Mather, Mike. "Comparing musical notes at Boxwood". Rotorua Daily Post, 1 February 2007/
  17. ^ Hometown: Boxwood Music Brings Traditional Tunes This Weekend
  18. ^ Local Music Festival to Feature World-Class Traditional, Classical Musicians

External links

  • Official website
  • Boxwood New Zealand
  • Boxwood Williamsburg
  • Kiwi Kaboodle: Boxwood Festival Archived 4 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  • Arts East: Canadian Boxwood Music Festival
  • Robert Bigio Flute Page: Chris Norman
  • Six Water Grog: Eamon O’Leary to teach song, guitar and tenor banjo as part of Boxwood’s Williamsburg Traditional Music Weekend