From July 9th through 18th, 2025, the Collingwood Music Festival (CMF) once again stirred hearts and lifted spirits across our growing South Georgian Bay region – with concerts and events not only in Collingwood, but now proudly expanding into Clearview Township and the town of Creemore. What began as a local dream is quickly becoming a regional cultural movement.
Artistic Director Daniel Vnukowski reflected:
“This summer felt like a celebration of everything we believe in -artistry without barriers, stories that move us, and a shared sense of wonder. The sound of applause echoing through the quaint village square of Creemore, the laughter of talented youth meeting their fellow peers for the first time, the tears during a choral requiem – these are the moments we’ll carry with us.
Over 700 people gathered on Creemore’s Village Green for Symphony Under the Stars – a magical evening of movie soundtracks and orchestral storytelling with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, proving that even small neighbouring towns are craving grand artistic experiences. Canadian Brass opened the festival with their trademark brilliance, while the Montreal Guitar Trio brought dazzling virtuosity and charm to the stage. Payadora Tango Ensemble’s The Legend of Carau gave voice to an Argentine folk tale through evocative music and visual storytelling, and Guy Few with Stephanie Mara lit up the room with a joyful, genre-blurring family show that sparked wide-eyed delight across all ages.
One of the festival’s most ambitious and moving highlights unfolded on Sunday evening: a powerful collaboration between the Elmer Iseler Singers and composer Ian Cusson, pairing John Rutter’s Requiem with Cusson’s vibrant, thought-provoking new work inspired by artificial intelligence and commissioned by the festival. Works by fellow Canadian composers Matthew Emery and Hussein Janmohamed added further depth to the program, creating a deeply emotional, forward-looking experience that left a lasting impression on all who attended.
Our Rising Star series shone brightly, with five outstanding mentors guiding dozens of gifted young musicians – many now preparing to step onto international stages. And the grand finale? A showstopping Gershwin tribute featuring internationally acclaimed soprano Adrianne Pieczonka and myself at the piano, joined by two rising stars – Jonelle Sills and Justin Welsh – alongside their superb collaborative pianist, Stéphane Mayer. It ended in a prolonged, thunderous standing ovation that felt like the perfect exclamation mark on a festival filled with joy, depth, and discovery. To our artists, educators, and incredible team of board, staff, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and loyal audiences: a heartfelt thank you for making the 2025 edition a resounding success. This is more than a festival. It’s a movement – and we’re just getting started.”
All photos by Tjalling Photography
All musicians joined onstage for “I Got Rhythm”, the final number in the festival’s finale concert, the Gershwin Gala. Their exceptional, soulful performances throughout the night left the full-house audience wanting more, excited for what next year’s festival will bring. L to R: Daniel Vnukowski and Stéphane Mayer at the piano; Vocalists Adrianne Pieczonka, Justin Welsh, and Jonelle Sills
In the festival finale Gershwin Gala concert, celebrated concert pianist and Artistic Director of Collingwood Music Festival Daniel Vnukowski captivated the audience with his passionate interpretations of Rhapsody in Blue and other pieces.
Esteemed conductor Lydia Adams (left) expertly led the Elmer Iseler Singers through an ambitious and moving program of new works highlighted by a collaboration with composer Ian Cusson, a premiere commissioned by the festival.
The Payadora Tango Ensemble and friends brought Argentine folk tale The Legend of Carau to life through their passionate, rhythmic playing and rich storytelling.
Guy Few and Stephanie Mara (Bits and Bites) provided fun for the whole family with dazzling trumpet and piano duets, humorous storytelling and warm engagement with the audience
Playing guitars plus other instruments, the Montreal Guitar Trio shared a stunning and versatile tribute to the legendary Ennio Morricone by innovative reimagining of his iconic film soundtracks.
Under Saturday’s golden evening sun, music-lovers of all ages flocked from all across the region to Creemore’s beautiful Village Green for a sensational outdoor, concert by the Kindred Spirits Orchestra.
From kids to seniors, conductor Kristian Alexander and the Kindred Spirits Orchestra delighted Creemore Village Green’s huge and diverse audience with exciting arrangements of beloved movie soundtracks and songs by pop/rock icons including The Beatles and Taylor Swift.
Tom Strnad shared an unforgettable afternoon presentation of the groundbreaking work behind VAMA (Virtual Augmented Media Arts), an artist-driven project exploring best practices for virtualizing the performing arts through augmented reality, virtual reality, and motion capture.
During the festival’s two days of intensive masterclasses for youth, five outstanding mentors guided dozens of gifted young musicians toward shining their best.
During the festival’s two days of intensive masterclasses for youth, five outstanding mentors guided dozens of gifted young musicians toward shining their best.
All photos by Tjalling Photography
