Artists allowed to shine

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

The Rosebud Chamber Music Festival, featuring six artists and three different locations, is set to hit the stage July 4-9.

The 11th annual festival is set to take place in Rosebud, Drumheller and Three Hills.

The event opened on July 4 with a fun event called the reading party.

Musicians were invited to participate in this fun night – from professionals to amateur to students. 

The artists gathered at the Rosebud Mercantile and they read through a stack of chamber music. 

“Nothing is rehearsed (for this event) it’s just a fun night to explore different types of music,” said artistic director Keith Hamm. “Everyone who comes to the Rosebud Chamber Music Festival, as a performer, is really keen on community building and getting to know the audience personally and chatting with them.” 

From there, the first performance is on July 6 in Rosebud at the Akokiniskway Gallery, then to Drumheller on July 7 at the Knox United Church. 

The tour then travels to Three Hills Arts Academy on July 8 and back to Rosebud for the finale on Sunday, July 9 at the Rosebud church.  

“It’s going to be a really great year,” said Hamm.

One of the special guests joining the Rosebud String Quartet will be pianist Phillip Chiu. 

“One of Canada’s most in-demand pianists right now,” said Hamm.

Chiu won a Juno for solo artist of the year. Julie Hereish, who plays the cello, also comes with a long list of professional achievements. 

“Some of our venues are a little smaller,” said Hamm. “We like the small venues because it’s really intimate and live feeling and you’re right up close and we really like that for this kind of music.” 

COVID never shut the festival down completely, as they were able to play outdoors with physical distancing. 

They played in some really beautiful outdoor venues, but nothing beats the acoustics of the indoor venues.  

“We were able to keep the tradition going,” he said. “We are happy to be back indoors now.” 

Hamm was born in Rosebud and grew up within a musical family as his father is the music director at Rosebud – and held the position for 30-plus years. 

“I grew up playing in Rosebud. Playing dinner music, on the stage and really engaged with the Rosebud Theatre,” he said of his childhood in the small village.

Hamm plays the violin and is one of the four musicians that make up the Rosebud String Quartet. The other musicians in the quartet are violinists Aaron Schwebel, Sheila Jaffé, and cellist Leana Rutt. 

“We are now the house band for the festival,” he said. “We have a really wonderful audience that comes with expectations and excitement.” 

Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online (www.rosebudchambermusic.com).