McKenzie Warriner and Ying Zhang Various
Harmonaire Musique

Harmonaire Musique is pleased to present the Cataraqui Chamber Music Festival. The festival will take place from August 5 to August 19, 2026 at The Spire in Kingston, bringing together classical chamber music performances with an Indigenous Cultural Corridor and workshops to create a summer festival that combines classical artistic excellence with Indigenous cultural engagement.

Rooted in Kingston’s rich historical background and diverse cultural environment, the meaning of the name “Cataraqui” (often spelled Katarokwi by Indigenous communities) is an Indigenous term, likely Mohawk, with meanings including “a place where there is clay or limestone,” “great meeting place,” or “where the river meets the lake.” It refers primarily to the Kingston, Ontario area and its surrounding waterways.

This project aims, through the parallel presentation of musical performances and cultural programs, to allow audiences not only to experience high-quality live classical music, but also to encounter, understand, and engage with the cultural context of this land within the same space. Participants are not only audiences, but can also become part of the festival experience through participation in workshops and the Indigenous Cultural Corridor.