Welcome to the Spirit of the North Classical Music Festival! Based in beautiful Smithers, BC, Canada, this festival brings high-quality classical music to the north.
Running annually in August since its inception in 2015, this innovative and vibrant festival provides opportunities for northerners to hear world-class musicians, new compositions, chamber music masterworks, and much more, in settings ranging from free, family-friendly outdoor spaces to more formal concert stages. Music can express who we are as a community, and a festival in the north allows us all to explore what is possible for the arts in the north. The Spirit of the North Classical Music Festival is particularly special because it features performers from our community and region, as well as a number of renowned guest musicians who share a professional or personal connection to northern BC. This exciting festival typically holds a dozen or more concerts and events at various venues in Smithers and area.
Every year the Spirit of the North Classical Music Festival features classical chamber music as well as local musicians playing folk, fiddle, and traditional music from around the world. We also work closely with the incredible artists and faculty of the Orchestra North Summer Program, and aim to foster close professional collaborations between visiting and local musicians. Help spread the word so we can share meaningful music together once again!
The Spirit of the North Festival is brought to you by the Bulkley Valley Classical Strings Society. Key support this year comes from the Bulkley Valley Credit Union, private donors, and a partnership with the Orchestra North Summer Program. Past grant support from the Bulkley Valley Arts Council, Northern Development through their Fabulous Festivals grant, Canada Heritage, the British Columbia Arts Council, and Ann and Glen Greene have been key to the festival’s ongoing success, alongside the support of the sponsors listed below.
The festival team is:
Roxi Dykstra, artistic director and Smithers festival co-coordinator
Dave Daust, bookkeeping and concert sponsorship coordinator
Katie Rife, web design and online content manager
Sharon Carrington, coordination support
Kye Teege, social media
Karen Price, marketing support
Thea Ewald, venue manager
Marian Rose, front of house coordinator
Jenny Dykstra, food coordinator
We are ever grateful for past and present volunteers:
Nancy Vandersteen, Rob Hofsink, Wilfred Dykstra, Gail and Bob Currie, Rosamund Pojar, Rebecca Tait, Breanne Kanis (logo design), Nicole Murray, Margaret Letkaman, Toby Moisey, Dianne McCauley, Dianne Mattson, Nathaniel Wittwer, Janna and Ron Vandreil, Tom Young, Sue Harrison, Thea Ewald, Jenny Dykstra, Jerome Lankeek, Ron Toews, Bonnie Juniper, and Audrey Foekens, among many others!
Our sponsors & donors:
Bulkley Valley Classical Strings Society: parent organization
Bulkley Valley Credit Union
Orchestra North Summer Program: artist sponsor
Bethel Reformed Church of Smithers
Bulkley Valley Arts Council
Prince George Symphony
Edmison Mehr Chartered Accountants
And continued gratitude to our past concert sponsors:
Anonymous, Northern Development, Town of Smithers, Smithers Art Gallery, Sharon Carrington Studio, Turning Point Ensemble, Coast Mountain College, Ann and Glen Greene, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Creative BC, Frontier Chrysler, Tower Communications, Canadian Music Centre BC Region, Smithers District Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Technical Services, Buri Overstall, Lazy Bend Hobby Farm, Peter Castellanos and Danyel Dean, The Sausage Factory, Rococo Violin Shop, AFFNO, Wolfgang Loschberger, Interior Stationary (Speedee Mills) and Bulkley Valley Printers.
Interested in being a part of this festival? We would welcome your involvement as a volunteer, concert sponsor, or food & services donor. Please contact us directly at info@festivalnorth.com or at 778.210.2101 so we can speak with you.