NEWS

2014 Annual General Meeting


A successful 39th season for the festival

Vincent Lauzer appointed as artistic director

Lamèque, N. B., Saturday, November 8, 2014: The 39th season of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival presented last July was very successful.  This is what came out of the assessment of the festival’s activities made by the board of directors during its general annual meeting that took place Saturday, November 8, 2014, in Lamèque.   

Overview of the 2014 season– artistic and financial success  
In his report, the president of the board of directors, Jean-René Noël, provided an overview of the year’s activities. From the outset, he stressed the work of the board of directors and volunteers, as well as the unwavering support of the community to the festival.  “We presented three high-caliber concerts to music lovers along with two related activities that were all successful”, he said.  “I especially want to acknowledge the participation of Lamèque-born painter Nicole Haché, whose paintings have been exhibited throughout the Festival in Sainte-Cécile Church, thus uniting baroque music and contemporary visual art.”

The 2013-2014 fundraising campaign has been a success, as the financial goals for donations, sponsorships and fundraising activities have all been exceeded.  In terms of financial performance, the president presented the financial statements, showing a surplus of $33,887 at year-end.  The president noted, however, that the actual expenditures still exceeded the approved budget by $4,600, a variation of 5.2% compared to the target.  “We must continue our efforts to ensure sound financial management of the festival”, said the president.  “The sustainability of the event depends on it”. 

The president also confirmed that preparations for the 2015 season are underway.  This will be the 40th anniversary of the festival and the team hopes to highlight this milestone and have a celebration worthy of the oldest early music festival in Canada. 

Vincent Lauzer appointed artistic director of the Festival
The president of the festival was very pleased to announce the appointment of Vincent Lauzer as new artistic director, succeeding to Mathieu Lussier who was at the helm as artistic director for seven years. “On behalf of the festival team, I am delighted to welcome Vincent Lauzer in our team.”  Mr. Lauzer is a member of the professional recorder group “Flûte Alors!”, was awarded the first prize of the 2010 Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition, and named Revelation Radio-Canada in 2013-2014.  “We are privileged to benefit from his talent, enthusiasm and artistic vision to advance our festival”, said Mr. Noël.

In a video message, Vincent Lauzer said that it was an honor for him to be appointed artistic director of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival and to follow in the footsteps of Mathieu Lussier who has done an outstanding job over the past seven years.  “I thank the festival team for putting its trust in me.  I want to emphasize the boldness of the board of directors who entrusts the artistic direction of the event to a young emerging musician.  I cannot wait to get into this great adventure!  It will be a pleasure and a great challenge for me to have to create an interesting and innovative program and to gather exceptional musicians who will present their art with passion” he said.  
Vincent Lauzer sees the 40th season of the festival with great enthusiasm.  He hopes to celebrate this anniversary as well as the 30th anniversary of the Mission Saint-Charles Choir, the festival’s own choir.  “I want to continue the tradition of the festival, which has been presenting world-class concerts in a friendly atmosphere for many years.  I look forward meeting the festival’s concert-goers and discuss with them their vision and ideas for future editions.  I hope to bring new energy to the event and hopefully keep the festival young and vibrant” he said.  The new artistic director claims to be interested in the combination of art and new approaches to the presentation and interpretation of early music.  “I hope that we will attract a large audience in Lamèque and draw many young people to our concerts.  In the coming years, I would like to strengthen the educational mandate of the festival so that all generations (particularly children and teenagers) know and love baroque music” he concluded.

 

The 40th season of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival will be presented from July 23 – 25, 2015.  Details of the program will be announced next winter.