When I first came to Britt I was captivated by stories of Peter Britt and the early pioneers of Table Rock City (Jacksonville). I was deeply moved by the story of John Trudeau’s dream and how a music festival came to life.
The story I’d like to tell here literally paints a picture. (If a picture paints a thousand words, can a thousand words paint a picture?)
This informative Blog will require some note taking. Not to worry
because all you will need is your smart phone, planner, calendar, or
sticky note, and either a pen, pencil, or marker of your choice.
The best part about starting this 2012 New Year? Britt Festivals gets to celebrate its 50th year! With this being our 50th year, we have much to celebrate and one of these things is the gift of our new orchestra chairs!
As a photography intern at Britt, I usually just take photos and sometimes I don't know what to expect. However, one particular evening this summer I was expecting some very important people.
I kept checking my watch. Seven o'clock, no bus. Seven fifteen, no bus. Seven twenty, no bus. The August 19th, "Festival Favorites" classical concert didn't begin until 8 o'clock, but I didn't want to miss their arrival.
Tonight, we’re fortunate to have the composer of one of the program pieces in the audience! Samuel Jones wrote the Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, Vita Accademica, which debuted in 2009. The piece will feature the talents of Britt’s principal trombonist Jim Decker.
Another cool connection: the couple that commissioned the piece will also be in the audience.
The Britt Institute String Quartet Academy took place from July 31st thru August 14th. The students study and perform with some of the nation's top professional musicians and instructors. During the two week program students are given the tools needed to expand their technique and musicianship in ways that will change their approach to music forever, compelling them to become more expressive and creative performers. Below are pictures of SQA students showcasing their activities and performances during their two weeks in Southern Oregon.
A sudden downpour made for a memorable night on the Britt hill this past Saturday. Soloist Anton Nel and the Britt Orchestra were in the early moments of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25 when the rain started falling hard. This YouTube video shows the story.
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A memorial celebration for Britt Festivals' Founder and Conductor Emeritus John Trudeau is this Saturday, March 8, at Hoffman Hall at Portland State University, where Trudeau taught for 32 years. The memorial is open to the public.
We have all probably had the sinking feeling when we realize that we have left something precious behind in a restaurant, taxi or hotel room. Imagine how you would feel watching a taxicab pull away with something worth $4 million dollars still inside it.
Although it's several months off, I was just reminded of how much I look forward to the Opening Night of Britt's Classical Festival. It's a night of celebration and anticipation, as the members of the Britt Orchestra reunite for the first concert of the season. This year the orchestra will be joined by cellist Alisa Weilerstein on July 31 for Opening Night. I just read a performance review of Alisa in The New York Times. The reviewer called her "great fun to watch" and "buoyant and youthful" and said it was as much fun to watch her as it was to listen to her.
Alisa's energy and talent will be a perfect fit for what's always a magical night on the Britt hill. Take a look at the review.
Britt's founding conductor John Trudeau passed away peacefully in his
Portland home last week. Take a look at articles in the Medford Mail Tribune,The Oregonian, and a post from Britt Orchestra Violinist Bruce Sweetman. John's legacy lives on at Britt, and he will be greatly missed. If you have memories of him, we'd love to read them.
Have you ever wondered how Britt Festivals started? In 2006, John Trudeau, the founding music director and first
conductor of the Britt Festival Orchestra, published a book about his
experience of seeing his lifelong dream of starting a music festival
become become a reality. The book is a detailed account of the beginning of Britt, starting in the early 1960s.
For a taste of the book, here's a humorous moment from Trudeau's book, Touches of
Sweet Harmony.
Britt's 2008 season ends on Sunday evening with the orchestra's
performance of Aaron Copland's Symphony No. 3. This work has been
called one of the greatest American symphonies, and it will serve as a
celebratory ending to the Classical Festival...
Britt Institute's String Quartet Academy is winding down its
two-week camp. This year, 41 high school and college students from all
over the country participated in the Academy, learning from the Arianna
Quartet, and enjoying master class and Q&A time with Britt guest
artists Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson and Midori. Britt's Music
Director Peter Bay also joined the students to conduct their string
orchestra rehearsal.
The students have been perfoming throughout
the valley, and they finish off the camp with a two-part recital
tomorrow, Saturday, August 16, at SOU's Music Recital Hall, at 11 a.m
and 2 p.m. The recitals are free and open to the public. Come hear the
results of the student's hard work!
Britt Institute's String Quartet Academy is blogging about all the exciting events happening with students and the Arianna String Quartet. Read all about what's happening at camp.
Classical music lovers are in for a treat this weekend! Members of the Britt Orchestra perform a free chamber music concert on Sunday afternoon, and the String Quartet Academy students perform Saturday night in downtown Jacksonville with a "quartet on every corner," and on Sunday afternoon at Schmidt Family Vineyards. See our schedule for more details.
