INCITE FOUNDATION: Music Makers
The incite Foundation for the Arts supports the work of the Great Lakes Music Makers and the Ancaster Music Society.
The incite Foundation for the Arts has contributed more than $9 million to 50 Hamilton-area organizations, through grants from $2,500 to $300,000, since it was founded in 2011. It is the legacy of the late Carl and Kate Turkstra who believed the arts are key to quality of life and critical to the future of Hamilton. And they believed anyone, regardless of circumstance, should be able to enjoy and pursue music, theatre and visual art. HAMILTON CITY Magazine is showcasing the incredible, creative and talented recipients of incite grants. Here we share the work of the Ancaster Music Society, which closes its season on May 29.
The Ancaster Music Society is a rising force in the classical and crossover-classical music scene. Founded in October 2023 by violinist Megan Jones and Jacqui Templeton Muir, the organization emerged from a desire to fill a gap in Ancaster’s arts landscape.
A conversation with Colin Lapsley, executive director of the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, revealed the need for a dedicated classical music program and this remark immediately sparked ideas, vision and a new venture for both Templeton Muir and Jones. They embarked – almost overnight – on an ambitious journey to build the Ancaster Music Society, incorporating under the name of the Great Lakes Music Makers. They have their eye on expanding beyond Ancaster.
With the help of a trusted business friend, Templeton Muir and Jones assembled their first concert series called Captivating Classics. They engaged talented artists and secured local sponsors for the five-concert series that ran September to May in its first season.
Their primary mission is to provide musical performances of the highest quality, offering a platform for both emerging and established musicians. At its core, Great Lakes Music Makers and the Ancaster Music Society is about more than just performances. Jones and Templeton Muir wanted it to be about building connections. While their concert series is designed specifically to showcase outstanding musical talent, it is also intent on fostering a rich cultural experience for audiences and musicians alike.
Templeton Muir emphasizes the vital role local businesses have played in supporting the venture through donations, advertising, door prizes, and regular attendance. “From day one, we felt the community had our backs,” she says, “and they fully appreciated our top priority: dedication to fair, industry-based compensation ensuring a supportive environment for artists. So often musicians are asked to play for reduced fees. People know that musicians love to play, so it is easy to get them to agree to play for less than they deserve. We didn’t want that.”
Connections fostered with organizations such as Guelph Musicfest, the Hamilton Conservatory of Music, the Hamilton Philharmonic and McMaster University have expanded the reach. The 2024 holiday gala fundraiser for the An Instrument for Every Child program of The Hamilton Music Collective, reinforced their determined commitment to community engagement.
Despite strong enthusiasm in every corner, getting the word out has been challenging. With the decline of local newspapers, the group relies on posters, postcards and articles in the local Neighbours magazine. The Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre’s marketing director, Owen Lapsley and audience word-of-mouth have also been crucial in growing attendance and with the organization’s acquired charitable designation, sponsorships are more appealing to potential donors.
A turning point came in June 2024 when the amazing incite Foundation awarded a three-year sponsorship. This provided financial stability and allowed a strong focus on attracting top-tier musical ensembles.
“This support allowed me to sleep nights,” says Templeton Muir. “incite’s philosophy of supporting experimentation, enthusiasm, and artistic integrity has proven invaluable in sustaining so many arts organizations in and around our home. Where so many granting bodies put up impossible criteria for success in the early years of a program, incite looks deeper and further into the aims and objectives, the intentions and aspirations of each applicant. How fortunate we are to have this organization in our Hamilton arts corner.”
Looking ahead, Captivating Classics enters its third season in September with a strong foundation and a dedicated audience. Though Jones now resides in the Ottawa Valley, she remains actively involved, while the Great Lakes Music Makers board – including local business owners, residents, and musicians – provides unwavering support and a true musical fellowship.
“We will continue to work towards bringing world-class classical music ensembles to Ancaster. There are enough brilliant artists and musicians in the country to delight us for years to come and we want to bring as many as possible to our great Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre.”
The Ancaster Music Society closes its Captivating Classics season May 29 with the Festival Trio, featuring pianist Ken Gee, violinist Sadie Fields and cellist Paul Pulford. Prepare to be transported through the rich tapestry of classical music and hear these accomplished musicians perform some of the most celebrated piano trios. Tickets are available here.
