Music Niagara Celebrates its 27th Season in 2025!
A Message from Artistic Director, Atis Bankas
To Our Friends, Supporters, and Music Lovers,
It is with immense joy and gratitude that I welcome you to Music Niagara’s 27th Summer Festival—a season born from reflection, resilience, and the enduring power of music to uplift the human spirit.
As I was planning this season, I could not ignore the world around us—the turbulence, the tragedies, the wars that continue to shake our sense of peace. In times like these, music becomes more than just performance. Music becomes a sanctuary, a bridge to hope, and a celebration of all that is still and hopefully will be forever beautiful in our world.
That is the vision behind this year’s festival: to keep it light, inspiring, and filled with something enjoyable for everyone. From the timeless genius of Bach, whose 340th birthday we honour this season, to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, which marks 300 years since its publication—a work that continues to captivate hearts around the globe—I wanted this festival to remind us all of the longevity, joy and transcendence that music brings.
We also gather this year with hearts full of memory and gratitude for dear friends we’ve lost—Chris Jennings, a long-time supporter and friend of Music Niagara, Bob Dingman, a dear friend, and our beloved Board Member Kekoo Gatta. Their legacy lives on in the music we make and in the community they helped build. It is often in moments of sorrow that we are reminded of music’s true gift—to heal and inspire the soul.
One of the greatest joys of my career—as a violinist and a teacher—has always been mentorship. Our Young Virtuoso Series remains one of the most meaningful parts of this festival. This year, we welcome rising talents from across Ontario, including members of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the ever-exuberant Toronto All-Star Big Band, who will swing their way into your hearts. To give young musicians a platform to share their voice is not only essential—it is our duty to the future of music.
Our season also continues the annual tradition of Glory to Ukraine, a powerful concert that is especially important at this time in world history, that speaks to the deep cultural heritage we proudly nurture and celebrate.
And then, there’s the joy of summer—the laughter, the dancing, the sunsets. Our Pops Series under the Music Niagara Tent at Ironwood Cider House is the place to be for that! This year, we kick it off with The Undercovers, and welcome incredible acts like Canada’s Got Talent: The Dueling Pianos, and end the season with a sold-out favourite: Nashville at Night with Peter Oyloe.
I always feel privileged to curate this festival with heart and care, and I want to thank you all for trusting us, for showing up, for listening, and for letting music move you. Whether you are a long-time supporter or joining us for the first time, do come to discover, reflect, dance, and celebrate with us this summer.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Atis Bankas
Founder and Artistic Director, Music Niagara Festival
Violinist, Educator, Storyteller Through Sound
2025 Pre-Season Concert
Music Niagara is thrilled to launch its 2025 season with a spectacular pre-season concert, featuring the internationally acclaimed Vincent-d’Indy Youth Choir, a vibrant ensemble of 90 talented young singers from the Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie’s renowned music program.
Under the direction of the dynamic François A. Ouimet, this exceptional choir has enchanted audiences at prestigious venues such as Maison Symphonique de Montréal, the Classica Festival, and even performed under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Their powerful harmonies have resonated across Canada and beyond, from Spain’s Ateneo de Madrid to France’s esteemed Rouen Conservatory.
With a repertoire spanning Vivaldi’s Gloria, Mozart’s Requiem, Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, jazz, gospel, and indigenous music, their performances are a breathtaking blend of tradition and innovation.
All proceeds from this concert will jointly benefit Music Niagara and St Mark’s Church, supporting world-class music and community programming in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
BUY TICKETS HERE.
Arts Unbound: Celebrating Arts & Culture Beyond Limits
Music Niagara, in partnership with Community Living Grimsby, Lincoln & West Lincoln (CLGLWL) will be hosting Arts Unbound – Celebrating Arts & Culture Beyond Limits.
This innovative production of the arts will highlight performances from incredible artists who live with a developmental disability and have overcome obstacles to become talented musicians, dancers, and singers.
This groundbreaking event will take place at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines on Sunday, October 5 and will provide a stage for extraordinary acts to share their talents with both live and virtual audiences.
Tickets on sale June 15, 2025. Stay tuned for our incredible lineup!
For more information, please click here.
The Performance Academy
Music Niagara
Music Niagara’s Performance Academy offers a unique summer experience for specially gifted young performers, unlike anything they can gain in other summer programs. Music Niagara’s Performance Academy mentors emerging young musicians to learn and to express themselves as artists.
The Academy is unique in its approach to music. Our young performers learn through experience. They participate in a full spectrum of the performance arts offered by professional artists and ensemble and alumni members of the Shaw Festival Theatre.
About Music Niagara
Music Niagara presents world-class, diverse music experiences in unique and intimate settings that connect the community and beyond, educate and inspire audiences and artists, and enhance Niagara-on-the-Lake’s rich heritage and culture.
We believe that by working in collaboration with community partners we can enrich the cultural life of the community and its visitors.
Sponsor our 26th Anniversary in 2024
As Music Niagara approaches its 26th anniversary in 2024, we reflect on the profound impact we’ve made through our dedication to offering world-class, diverse musical experiences within Niagara-on-the-Lake’s unique and intimate settings. Our mission extends beyond performance; it is about creating connections, inspiring audiences and artists, and enriching the cultural and historical fabric of our region.
With our 25th year behind us, filled with gratitude for the community’s unwavering support, we’ve brought an array of musical delights to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Our varied programming, which includes a Summer Festival, a Performance Academy for emerging musicians, and numerous concerts throughout the year, has educated, entertained, and inspired.
The 2024 Summer Season at Music Niagara promises not only a showcase of exceptional talent but also a celebration of music that bridges cultures and communities, set against the beautiful backdrop of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s most cherished venues.
We warmly invite you to discuss how you can join us in making the 26th Anniversary Summer Festival a landmark event.
Music Niagara Venues
Niagara Wineries, St. Mark’s Church, Vintage Hotels and more!
Music Niagara matches each musical performance with a unique and intimate setting in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Audiences are able to combine their enjoyment of great music with a deeper appreciation of Niagara’s rich heritage history and its cultural offerings.