{"id":105794,"date":"2024-07-08T15:58:39","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T19:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=105794"},"modified":"2024-07-09T08:00:02","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T12:00:02","slug":"interview-james-campbell-talks-four-decades-helm-festival-sound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/07\/08\/interview-james-campbell-talks-four-decades-helm-festival-sound\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | James Campbell Talks About Four Decades At The Helm Of Festival Of The Sound"},"content":{"rendered":"
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L: Festival of the Sound Artistic Director James Campbell (Photo courtesy of the artist); the FOTS headquarters in Parry Sound (Photo courtesy of FOTS)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A busy clarinetist with a career as a chamber musician and soloist, a university professor for more than 30 years, James Campbell is also the Artistic Director of the Festival of the Sound. That\u2019s a role that he\u2019s held for four decades now, with no sign of slowing down.<\/p>\n

This year, the Festival runs from July 19 to August 3. We spoke to the busy musician and AD about what\u2019s kept him going for 40 years.<\/p>\n

The Festival of the Sound<\/h3>\n

Back in the summer of 1979, pianist Anton Kuerti, at the time a professor at the University of Toronto, followed a Canadian tradition, and bought a summer home in Parry Sound. He organized three concerts in the area. As James Campbell tells the story, Kuerti told friends and colleagues about his idea, and invited anyone who wanted to help create the new festival to his cottage. Dozens of people showed up, and the Festival of the Sounds was born.<\/p>\n

That included a Board of Directors and installing Kuerti as founding Artistic Director of the non-profit corporation.<\/p>\n

Officially launched in the summer of 1980, it became Canada\u2019s first yearly summer classical music festival with an international lineup. In 1984, Kuerti asked clarinetist James Campbell, who was already working with the organization, to program the Festival that year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d never done anything like that before,\u201d James recalls. But, it wasn\u2019t long before he caught on to the appeal. \u201cI got bitten by the bug.\u201d The invitation was repeated the following year, and after a discussion with the Board of Directors, the decision was made to let Campbell take over the role in 1985.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess the addiction stayed,\u201d he laughs.<\/p>\n

So much so, in fact, that when he was offered a position he couldn\u2019t refuse \u2014 to teach clarinet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music \u2014 he didn\u2019t give up the role at the Festival of the Sound. He says he organized his life and other responsibilities around his schedule in Bloomington. \u201cFor those 31 years of teaching in Indiana, I basically had three jobs,\u201d he says. That includes an international performing career, along with the other two major responsibilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking back, I think, was I nuts?\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that he hasn\u2019t had the opportunity to move on. Campbell reports that about 20 years ago, he received several offers to assume the role of Dean at various institutions, along with a smattering of offers to lead other music festivals. He decided to stay put.<\/p>\n

James retired in 2019, and moved back to Canada after the pandemic. What made it worthwhile for so long? He cites a supportive local community, and a board of directors that is enthusiastic and involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt made it fun,\u201d he says. Naturally, there were a few ups and downs along the way to establishing an organization that worked, but a focus on the Festival as something that benefits the community resulted in a dedicated team that has been renewed over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat really makes all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Working with community members and businesses is key. \u201cI was raised in a small town, so I understand how a smaller place can work,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s based on community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Festival
Festival of the Sound Artistic Director James Campbell (Photo courtesy of the artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Music<\/h3>\n

As for the programming, the Festival lineup routinely including jazz and performers in other genres, but it\u2019s main focus has been unwaveringly on classical music. \u201cChamber music, that\u2019s really the heart and soul of it,\u201d he says. James reports that he\u2019s never had to argue that point. \u201cThey make it fun for me. I\u2019ve been allowed to make mistakes. I\u2019m still just as excited about it as I was all those years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few landmarks of the last 40 years<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n