Rosamunde Summer Academy guides young musicians with masterful faculty

Rosamunde Summer String Academy returns with rhythm, camaraderie and world premieres 

The sweet sounds of summer strings are back at Canadian Mennonite University as the Rosamunde Summer String Academy and Festival kicked off on Wednesday, August 13. 

Since its debut in 2011, Rosamunde has grown into a cherished annual highlight for both aspiring string players and the world-class faculty who teach them. Over the course of the week, students of all ages gather for master classes, ensemble work, and private lessons, learning from some of the country’s finest performers and educators. 

But the festival is more than just an intensive training ground. It’s also a celebration of music-making at its highest level, with a faculty concert series that offers audiences a chance to hear these exceptional musicians perform. This year’s concerts take place August 17, 19 and 21 at CMU, with programs ranging from Shostakovich to contemporary premieres. 

Two of this year’s featured faculty — Juno-winning pianist and composer David Braid and double bassist Travis Harrison, a former Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra member and now chair of the double bass department at the University of Toronto — joined Classic 107’s Chris Wolf in the studio to talk about their work with students, their upcoming performances, and the unique spirit of Rosamunde. 

Bringing new rhythms to Rosamunde 

Braid has become something of a Winnipeg regular, thanks to connections with colleagues like Manitoba Chamber Orchestra’s Sean McManus, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra’s Richard Gillis, and Rosamunde artistic director Elation Pauls. 

“It’s just nice to have a believer,” Braid said of Pauls, who invited him to address rhythm from a perspective outside the traditional European model. “I think the theme of Rosamunde this year is ‘Rosamunde keeps the beat.’ You know, I might have had some influence on that.” 

His work with the students focuses on rhythm “coming from a tradition slightly outside the European Western tradition” — an interest shaped by his travels to Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and other regions along the historic Silk Road. 

“I like the way Western and Eastern music cross-pollinated in these countries and grew… depending on where they happened to stop,” he said. “I’ve learned harmonically, melodically and rhythmically spending time in those places.” 

Sparking creativity through improvisation 

While rhythm is central to his work at Rosamunde, Braid also brought an improvisatory element to his teaching. 

“I don’t like using the word improvisation because I think it has a bad reputation,” he explained. Instead, his aim was “igniting the self Music Maker” within young string players. 

“We made music that actually sounded like music and they were doing it spontaneously,” he said. “It’s so important because they’re using their ears and they’re aware of the sound in the room… basically getting their eyes to blank out so that they can use their ears more.” 

Harrison, who sat in on Braid’s session, was impressed. “Just building this pulse integrity from physical feeling rather than trying to think about it in a verticality of score kind of way… it absolutely enhances our experience as performers.” 

From audience member to faculty 

Harrison knows Rosamunde from both sides of the stage. During his years with the WSO, he often attended the festival’s concerts when his schedule allowed. 

“One of the sad things about my job with the Winnipeg Symphony is that I never had time to go see concerts because I was always playing the concerts,” he recalled. “So I would always make a point of coming… it’s impossible to say no [to Elation]. She is such a lovely, caring and passionate person… I just said yes, absolutely, because I knew it was going to be a great time.” 

This year, he’s working with four double bass students — two high schoolers, one younger student from Sistema Winnipeg, and a retiree. Lessons cover everything from technique to chamber coaching to what he calls “day-to-day skills” that build artistry and confidence. 

“You actually learn to be, in my opinion, a better human and a better person in general because there’s so much socially and metaphysically and psychologically that you can work on as an artist,” he said. 

Harrison also addressed the outdated belief that smaller players can’t handle the instrument. 

“It’s sort of an old school mentality now to say, like, oh, you’re too small to play the bass,” he explained. Advances in instrument building and string technology have made it possible for players of all sizes to play with ease. “There’s so much room for it to be diverse like that.” 

Concert highlights: Shostakovich and Kazakh impressions 

On Sunday night [August 17th], Braid will take centre stage for the second half of Rosamunde’s opening concert, performing his own works — including the Manitoba premieres of Semi and Five Kazakh Impressions. 

The latter was commissioned by the Kazakh State String Quartet as part of the 30th anniversary of Canada–Kazakhstan diplomatic relations. Each movement is based on a folk song provided by the ensemble, and Braid incorporated elements of the dombra, a traditional long-necked lute. 

“They were thrilled with the result,” he said. As the members of the Kazakh State String Quartet said “We love our folk music, but we also love Western classical music and we felt that the way you [Braid] combine them was so special.” 

Semi, meanwhile, reflects both on a Turkish rhythm and on the inevitability of change. “When you come to the realization that… things change… are we going to cling on to what we thought things should be, or do we adapt?” Braid said. He credited late Canadian jazz legend Phil Nimmons — who embraced change with “laughter” — as a guiding light. 

Chamber music camaraderie 

Harrison will also join violinists Gwen Hoebig and Karl Stobbe for Trio No. 3 in G Major Hob.IV: 3 (from "London Trios")  

“I’m approaching this whole thing from the perspective of just staying together with two old friends and making music together and having fun,” he said. Drawing on Haydn’s era, when instrumentation was often flexible, Harrison will adapt the cello part for bass, adding the resonance of the instrument’s lower register. 

Looking ahead: inspiration from the next generation 

For Braid, the most rewarding part of Rosamunde is the human connection. “It’s wonderful to meet young musicians who are so hungry to learn and so smart… it makes me have hope for the future of music.” 

Harrison echoed the sentiment, particularly in his chamber music coaching. “It’s not one moment really that I’m looking forward to. It’s really just this journey of development and seeing where we can push things and what we can learn from each other.” 

For both musicians, the week promises not only music of the highest calibre, but also a shared experience that bridges generations, instruments, and traditions — the very essence of what Rosamunde has become over the past 14 years. 

With its intensive training, world-class faculty, and dedication to fostering excellence, the Rosamunde Summer Music Academy stands as a cornerstone for aspiring string players. The festival’s three concerts offer audiences the rare opportunity to experience professional chamber music at its finest — intimate, intricate, and deeply expressive. Performed by acclaimed musicians who bring both technical mastery and heartfelt artistry to the stage, each program promises a rich tapestry of sound and connection. For anyone who loves the immediacy and magic of chamber music, the Rosamunde Festival is a summer experience not to be missed. 

The Rosamunde Festival’s Main Stage Series take place at Canadian Mennonite University's Laudamus Auditorium at CMU

• Sunday, August 17 – 7:30 p.m. | Counting for Canada
  Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 and three Manitoba premieres by David Braid

• Tuesday, August 19 – 7:00 p.m. | Raum²
  Works by Mendelssohn, Kelly-Marie Murphy, and Elizabeth Raum

• Thursday, August 21 – 7:00 p.m. | Serenade for Summer
  Haydn, Eckhardt-Gramatté, and Dohnányi performed by top Canadian chamber musicians

Tickets:

• Individual concerts: $30 each

• Festival Pass (all 3 concerts): $75 (save $5 per concert)

• Children 12 & under: free

Purchase: Online or via e-transfer to rosamundeadm@gmail.com. No paper tickets; your name is added to the audience guest list.