New International Festival Name Tied to Its Roots

Fort Macleod, Alberta ’Äì A musical phenomenon only found in Alberta’Äôs west is branded a new name tying its roots to its growing international stature.

The Fort Macleod International Festival, formerly known as Windy Mountain Music, is the fresh name chosen for the chamber music festival held every May in Fort Macleod and other select southern Alberta locations.

’ÄúWe spent a great deal of time deliberating a new name for the festival,’Äù says Gerard Gibbs, Empress Theatre executive director. ’ÄúWe want to tie the event with the location and its international scope.’Äù

Rivka Golani, Fort Macleod International Festival music director and world renowned viola player, recognized the need for a name change several years ago. The name, after undergoing several minor changes over the years was recently finalized.

’ÄúWe chose this name because part of our philosophy is based on appreciation and deepening of the ties of our place, namely Fort Macleod,’Äù says Golani. ’ÄúThe place has offered us fertile soil in which to grow and cultivate our festival, which has also slowly been gaining international notoriety.’Äù

The five day event, now in its fifth year, is known to attract musicians who perform internationally on the world’Äôs top stages and are recording artists at the leading edge of classical music.

Audience members are treated to an interactive concert delight outside the concert norm. Musical preludes providing unique insight into the background of the composers, music and musicians is only a small part of this special event. Concert goers get up close and personal.

With musicians, travel to unique locations to witness extraordinary performances and enjoy a selection of international cuisine and comradery.

The festival is scheduled to host five concerts May 27 ’Äì 31, 2010, with several new venues added including The Galt Museum, Lethbridge, Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Fort Macleod and the Eckhardt-Gramatte¬¥ Hall, Calgary. All the exciting event details will be launched on a new website fortmacleodinternationalfestival.com in the coming days.