Performances
The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) announced its 2023 season, anchoring Oregon’s Britt Music and Arts Festival with three weeks of exciting open-air programming in historic Jacksonville, Oregon. Under the inspirational leadership of Music Director Teddy Abrams, the 2023 season highlights included a performance of Mark Knopfler’s score for the film The Princess Bride, plus four outstanding soloists: violinist Anne Akiko Meyers returning to Britt with Michael Daugherty’s Blue Electra, composer and pianist Timo Andres, presenting his composition The Blind Banister, violinist Alexi Kenney playing Samuel Barber’s inspirational Violin Concerto, and jazz pianist Aaron Diehl, finishing the season with George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. The season also included an evening of orchestral explorations composed by Ellen Reid and a variety of composers from around the globe.
[Teddy Abrams] "elicited from the orchestra an electrifying performance"
- Classical Voice America
"Using precise and energetic gestures, Abrams elicited a forceful and exciting statement"
- Oregon ArtsWatch
The BFO is comprised of musicians from all over the globe, with hometowns that include:
Aberdeen, Albany, Albuquerque, Altadena, Ashland, Atlanta, Berwyn Heights, Bethel Park, Bethesda, Broomall, Carmel, Carrollton, Charlotte, Chicago, Chino Hills, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Decatur, Denton, Detroit, Eugene, Geneva, Great Falls, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Lafayette, Land O Lakes, Los Angeles, Louisville, Lubbock, Medford, Metairie, Miami Beach, Mount Sinai, Naples, Nashville,, New Haven, New Orleans, North York, Northbrook, Oakland, Paola, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Red Hook, Redmond, Redwood City, Richmond, Rochester, San Antonio, San Diego, Sarasota, Seattle, Sheridan, Shoreline, Tucson, Victoria, Vienna, Westwood, Yacolt
About The Britt Festival Orchestra
The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) brings a professional group of musicians together each summer to perform under the leadership of Music Director Teddy Abrams, an established leader and conductor in the symphonic world. Our orchestral summer festival spans 3 weeks from mid-June through early July and includes orchestral concerts, chamber music events, and curated performances for children, all at our extraordinary outdoor venue in the historic town of Jacksonville, Oregon.
Established in 1963, the BFO comes together each summer from world-class orchestras around the globe to perform a remarkably diverse selection of music under the stars, ranging from traditional classical to modern works. Our concert hall, the Britt Pavilion, is a natural outdoor amphitheater under the great Oregon sky where audiences can sit on the reserved bench seats or on the grassy Britt hill and enjoy the concerts.
Additional festivities include free BrittKids Koncerts, open rehearsals, pre-concert conversations with guest artists and orchestra members, and special projects and collaborations with a variety of community groups.
Whether you’re a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the orchestra, the Britt Festival Orchestra has something for you!
Orchestra Openings
To view current orchestra openings, click here.
Want to meet the GM of the BFO?
Renia Shterenberg, the new General Manager of the Britt Festival Orchestra, will present a free 30-minute performance/presentation and talk about the 2022 Britt Festival Orchestra season. Come hear and discuss Beethoven, Gershwin, Bernstein, and more!
One day - two performances to choose from:
Saturday, June 4
Applegate Library
Time: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Jacksonville Library
Time: 1:00 - 1:30 PM
SUPPORT THE ORCHESTRA
Any gift, large or small, can make a great difference!
Make a Classical Annual Fund donation.
Photo by Mike Gantenbein
"While there are many benefits to living in the Rogue Valley, I think the Britt Festival Orchestra tops them all!
I still cannot believe we have world-class musicians who assemble here every summer to produce the most remarkable music under the direction of Teddy Abrams. Teddy's enthusiasm for bringing our community together through music is infectious. The programs are fun, moving, enlightening, powerful, and uplifting.
In all my years attending classical music concerts, I never felt as inspired by the sound of an orchestra as I am by our own Britt Festival Orchestra. What I experience is more than music. It is pure celebration."
Frank De Luca, PhD
Writer
Jacksonville, Oregon