Open Ears has been combining installations with performance, mixing up musical genres, and working in alternative venues since our inception. Many of these elements have become commonplace in Canadian new music.
Open Ears remains unique, though, thanks to the mix of composed with improvised music, multiple collaborations with other organizations (musical and otherwise), and the sheer breadth of programming range from classical ensembles to sound art. With an increased focus on ‘sound-making’, we explore beyond a traditional music concert. The festival has developed a national and international identity and continues to play a vital role in the life of contemporary art in Waterloo Region.