The Friends of Leith Church invite you to participate in the maintenance and restoration of this historic 'Auld Kirk' by attending the many events and concerts planned for this year. We have purposely retained our traditional low-ticket prices in order to build an audience for The Leith Summer Festival, which continues to feature some of the finest artists performing today in Canada. From CEILIDH to CHRISTMAS we present a menu of services, performances and activities that will provide a wonderful introduction to the outstanding acoustics and beauty of our heritage church and its surroundings.

Sunday May 23 [2:15 pm] - 12th Annual Memorial Service and Cemetery Decoration Day

This Annual Memorial service presents an opportunity to both honour and remember those who are interred in the Leith Cemetery. It is also an opportunity to attend to the presentation and maintenance of the grave sites. This year we honour “Our Gaelic Heritage”. The service will begin at 2:15 with welcoming music by piper John Graham. We encourage attendees to wear their tartan, if possible.

It has become customary for the Friends of Leith Church to designate the graves of those who have served in Canada's military - from the Fenian Raids of the 1860's to the Armed Forces of the 21st century - with the placement of special flags or markers. Historical tributes to families represented in the cemetery are incorporated into the Memorial Service.

Friday May 28 [7:30 pm] - Steinacher Bursary Concert
Six years ago at the annual 'Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols', the Friends of Leith Church announced the first recipient of its bursary for advanced music students in the northern Grey-Bruce area, named in honour of the well known Owen Sound musician, teacher and co-founder of the Georgian Bay Symphony Orchestra, Donna Steinacher. Four amazingly talented young area musicians have received and benefited from this significant Canadian Bursary since its inception.

The 2010 recipient of the Donna Steinacher Bursary is the multi-talented young pianist Renee Kruisselbrink from Tara Ontario. Renee holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she was the recipient of the Faculty of Music Gold Medal (for the highest grade point average of all fourth year students) upon graduation. She also maintained a position on the Faculty of Music Recognition of High Distinction and the Dean's Honour Roll from her first year. She completed her ARCT in piano performance with First Class Honours with Distinction at age 15; and at age 13 was the recipient of the RCM silver medal for her Grade 10 piano certificate. She has been a first prize-winner at various local provincial, and national piano competitions, including the Canadian Music Competition in Quebec City and the FCMF National Competition in Moncton. Making her orchestral debut at age 15, Renee has been a featured performer with orchestras on several occasions. Most recently, she was guest pianist with the Georgian Bay Symphony, performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Renee also enjoys sharing her love of music with others through teaching. She teaches piano, theory and history privately, and her students excel in exams, performances and competitions. Currently, Renee is pursuing a Master of Music degree in piano performance at the University of Toronto where she studies with Dr. James Parker, of the renowned Gryphon Trio.

The Donna Steinacher Bursary, although sponsored by The Friends of Leith Church, has on its organizing and awards committee many well known musicians and arts patrons from the Owen Sound and Meaford area. The recipient of the bursary must be a resident of northern Grey-Bruce counties and will usually be a graduate, or music student soon to graduate, from a baccalaureate level university music program with the intention of pursuing further studies in music performance at the post-graduate level. It can be presented on an annual basis and is valued at up to five thousand dollars, the exact amount to be determined by a combination of concert ticket sales, sponsorship and donations. The generosity of local music lovers and sponsors has assured that all the recipients to date have received the full five thousand dollar amount.

Tickets are $25 and available from members of the Donna Steinacher Bursary committee, the Downtown Bookstore, Georgian Bay Symphony office, or by phone at 519-371-5316. Ticket purchasers who donate additional funds of $25 or more to the Bursary will receive an income tax charitable donation receipt for that amount and an invitation to the post-concert reception.

Sunday June 6 [2:00 pm] - Communion Service

All are welcome to join us. It's three objectives are one, to reconnect with the past to honour the churches of the former Sydenham Township that Annan and Leith share... Woodford, Johnstone, Daywood and Silcote, and secondly, to renew the commitment made when Leith United Church was closed in 1969, that being the Session of Trinity United Church would make certain that a minimum of three services of worship would be conducted at Leith, and that at least one of those services would include a celebration of Holy Communion. The third is to honour the memory of the people of Annan, Leith and area who made a contribution to our country's armed forces, especially the Leith Rifles Regiment. A display of memorabilia will be assembled and provided by Master Corporal George Auer of the Grey-Simcoe Foresters Regiment.

** Saturday July 3rd [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert One - Duo Concertante

Saturday July 17th [ 10 am - 4 pm ] 7th Annual Country Market

'Under The Tent' local artists, artisans, authors, and antiques - at the Leith church. Come and visit the Country Market
Vendor's application available here.

** Saturday July 17th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Two - Brett Polegato

Tom Thomson

This year’s Historic Leith Church ‘Highland Concert and CEILIDH’ is full of Fiddles, Stepdancing and Celtic song. A wonderful evening of roots music and dance awaits the audience as absolutely the very best performers in these fields ‘strut their stuff.’ Featured group is ‘The Becketts’ who first appeared at this popular Leith outdoor concert event about ten years ago. Since that time, the then precocious Beckett kids have grown to be outstanding performers in the world of fiddle music. Backed, as usual by father and grandfather, Linsey Becket will show how she has since become a dazzling star of the fiddling world. Her brother Tyler can’t make this performance, but appearing in his place will be Shane Cook , a multi-winner of just about every major Canadian and American fiddling championship. Shane is a fiddler’s fiddler, acclaimed the world over as the very best. Linsey Beckett and Shane Cook are both members of BOWFIRE, the hottest new show to hit the stage and television screen.

A treat to the eye and ear, singers Tara MacKenzie and Keira McArthur will explore the full range of emotions that traditional Scots and Irish songs evoke in the listener, Keira’s cello lends a soulful accompaniment to their performance.

Leading off the evening, young Owen Sound violinist and stepdancer Sabrina Perry will demonstrate her love for ‘Old Time’ country music by playing traditional fiddle tunes of Cape Breton and Quebec with some Irish melodies as well. Perry says it is because of her love of both classical violin and fiddle that she is able to be such a well rounded musician. A recent graduate of Owen Sound’s West Hill Secondary School, Sabrina is heading to Newfoundland for university studies in music in September.

At the end of the night all the performers will gather together to jam in the true spirit of a CEILIDH.

Admission to the Leith Church ‘Highland Concert and CEILIDH is free with a collection taken for the continuing restoration and maintenance of the church. This is an outdoor concert held on the church grounds at the rear of the church, so bringing a blanket or portable chairs is advised. In the event of rain, it will be held inside where seating is limited to 180 persons.

** Saturday July 31st [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Three - Chris Donnelly

Sunday August 1st [ 11:30 am] - Historic Leith Church Anniversary Service and 'Lunch Under the Oak'

This annual service of worship will celebrate the 145th anniversary of the restored Leith United Church building and the 148th anniversary of its establishment as a Church of Scotland (Auld Kirk) congregation by its pioneer founders in the summer of 1862. The Rev. David Shearman (Central Westside United) has agreed to be guest preacher.
Following worship, the traditional 'Lunch Under the Oak' will be served; a congenial time of food and fellowship. Collection only.

** Saturday August 14th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Four - Penderecki String Quartet

** Saturday August 28th [ 7:30 pm] - LEITH SUMMER FESTIVAL - Concert Five - Duo Gelato

September 11th and 12th [2-4] - Doors Open Meaford

Friday September 17th [evening] & Saturday 18th [afternoon] - SweetWater Music Weekend

Sunday December 19th [ 7:30 pm] - "13th Annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols" Readings, Carols & Advent Music. - Collection only.

Featuring Amati String Quartet - Georgian Bay Children's Choir Touring Ensemble and Special Guest Readers. Join us in the lamplit beauty and warmth of Leith’s ‘Auld Kirk’ to hear again the story of the birth of Christ in word and song. The lessons will be read by members of the North Grey community and there will be congregational carol singing of many old favourites.

This is a very popular event and as seating is limited to 150 persons, we suggest an early arrival to ensure a place. The recipient of the 2011 Donna Steinacher Bursary will be announced. Tickets are not needed.

Second Tuesday of each month (unless noted) 'Fiddle Jams'

At 1:00 pm - Jan 12th/2010, Feb 9th, Mar 9th

At 7:00 pm - Apr 13th, May 11th, Jun 8th, Jul 13th, Aug 10th, Sep 14th, Oct 12th

At 1:00 pm - Nov 9th , Dec 14th, Jan 11th/2011, Feb 8th/2011

- donations only.