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A Brief History of WEKS

It was probably inevitable that an association dedicated to early keyboard instruments and music should have been established in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.  The twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, located in southwestern Ontario, about 100 km (60 miles) west of Toronto, are a well-spring of musical activity.  With symphony and chamber orchestras, numerous instrumental and vocal ensembles, plus two universities (University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University) with academic music programs, this area resounds with musical culture the year round.

The appreciation of a potential membership pool of local owners of harpsichords, clavichords, virginals and fortepianos, as well as technicians, performers, amateur builders and music enthusiasts in general led to the founding meeting of the Waterloo Early Keyboard Society (WEKS) on January 27, 1993.  Here are some excerpts from the Minutes of the founding meeting:

Minutes of the founding meeting

Present:

Jean-Philippe Beaulieu (harpsichordist and instrument owner)
Cynthia Hiebert (harpsichordist and instrument owner)
Robert Karpiak (instrument owner)
Boyd McDonald (fortepianist and instrument owner)
Marc Paré (technician and instrument owner)

The founding members agreed that an association of individuals committed to the promotion or early keyboard music and to the advancement of knowledge about early keyboard instruments in the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, and adjacent area should be established.   The founding of such an association was unanimously approved.

The objectives of such an association would be:

1. the promotion of early keyboard music
2. the advancement of knowledge of the members and the general public about early keyboard instruments
3. the creation of a network of communication among performers, instrument owners, builders, technicians, and early keyboard enthusiasts in general

It was agreed that the association would be called the Waterloo Early Keyboard Society (WEKS). 

The activities of WEKS would include:

1. performances by professional and amateur early keyboardists
2. lectures on instruments, composers, music, and performance practice
3. demonstrations and workshops on instrument building and maintenance
4. documentation and cataloguing of early keyboard instruments in the area
5. dissemination of information on events pertaining to early keyboard music in the community and beyond

The Members of the Executive of WEKS elected at the founding meeting are:

President:          Robert Karpiak
Vice-President:  Boyd McDonald
Secretary:          Marc Paré
Treasurer:          Cynthia Hiebert

It was proposed that the first WEKS event would be an inaugural meeting together with a harpsichord performance by Cynthia Hiebert and Jean-Philippe Beaulieu.

A start was also made toward compiling a catalogue of early keyboard instruments, both authentic and replicas, and instrument owners in the area by means of a questionnaire soliciting some basic information.

The Inaugural Meeting of WEKS took place on May 16, 1993 at the home of the President.   For this event, two double-manual harpsichords (one Flemish, the other French) were place in the family room of the residence both for demonstration and performance.   Approximately 30 persones attended, enjoyed a wine and cheese reception, and engaged in discussions concertning the future activities of WEKS.  The mandate of WEKS  was approved, as was several forthcoming activities.  The meeting was followed by a recital of music for one and two harpsichords performed by Cynthia and Jean-Philippe.

WEKS has now been in existence for almost seven years and the enthusiasm of its Executive and core members is unwaning.  Please click on to the appropriate buttons of our website for more information.

Prepared for the WEKS Website by:

Rober Karpiak, President

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