Residents gathered at the lawn at Bell Homestead National Historic Site (NHS) for Symphony at Sunset on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Over 100 people attended the show put on by The Brantford Community Symphony Orchestra (BCSO), which is part of the Brantford School of Instrumental Music.
Deb McLoughlin, the Head Conductor for BCSO, recalled it being their sixth or seventh time performing at the Bell Homestead.
“This is a concert that we play here every year at the end of August at the Bell Homestead,” said McLoughlin.
A community of musicians from across the region, including St. George, Cambridge, Hamilton, Port Dover, Waterford and Simcoe, came together to rehearse weekly every Wednesday night.
“Some of these people have been playing for many years, we are talking 50 or 60 years for some of them,” said McLoughlin. “It gives them a chance to come out and play with other people, because it’s always more fun to play with other people than to play alone.”
City of Brantford established the site as a museum and public park in 1910, and the concert connects the site to its founding mandates, said Sarah Hamilton, Museum Engagement and Education Coordinator at Bell Homestead NHS.
“Hosting outdoor concerts like the Symphony at Sunset lets people enjoy the grounds and brings people to the Bell Homestead that may not have come before or may not have visited in a long time,” said Hamilton.
Attendance for the event has remained steady, with people returning and bringing others to enjoy the show. Hamilton said there were past years when the weather affected the concert, but this year’s event avoided any weather issues.
“Nature actually cooperated this year,” said Hamilton. “Inclement weather is always a risk when planning outdoor events, and orchestral instruments are particularly sensitive to dampness or humidity.”
Arek Kulczynski, who recently moved to Brantford and learned about the concert while on a walk in his neighbourhood, said he enjoyed the experience.
“It’s really awesome to see a community event like this, people from the community who want to take part in this,” said Kulczynski. “You don’t usually expect too much from the acoustics, but when you’re close enough to the orchestra, it sounds good.”
Rya Djonovich attended the concert to support and watch her mother, Trina Djonovich, who plays the violin and is also the assistant conductor for the BCSO. Lisa Beam sister-in-law of Trina Djonovich said she liked the concept of playing outside.
“I think music unites everybody together. It’s a common language for everybody,” said Beam. “Being outside, experiencing nature, having the music, watching all the dedicated performers, it just gives you goosebumps.”
