News From Britt Hill – June 2022

There’s excitement at the box office, and the daily hum of activity can mean only one thing: It’s time to welcome you back to the pavilion for another summer of music making. In particular for this month’s column, I’d love to highlight a Night at the Orchestra!

You’ve probably noticed that our Britt Festival Orchestra season, historically set to begin in mid-July, will take place mid-June through early July. The BFO is celebrating its 60th anniversary season this year. This orchestra is special. Our musicians, hailing from major symphonies all over the country, eagerly await their summer visit to the Rogue Valley. The programs they perform pair longtime favorites—Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Dvořák, for example—with new commissions from some of the most exciting composers alive today. Music Director Teddy Abrams works with the composers to make something extraordinary and new for the BFO, and we’re so lucky to be the first to hear these pieces.

This work is important. Yes, it gives us—the audience—a chance to enjoy something fresh and different. But equally valuable: these commissions build the library of orchestral music available for generations to come. The BFO is putting its mark on the future of orchestras, and we are incredibly proud of this legacy.

I know many of you reading this column have hosted BFO musicians over the years, and you have our deepest gratitude. As a nonprofit organization, Britt relies on your support to bring the music to life each summer. Our beloved BFO is funded through a combination of ticket sales, donations, grants, and community support in the form of homestays and more. The musicians who return year after year think of Jacksonville as a second home, and many of their hosts have become extended family. Thank you.

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the other, completely different orchestra we’ll be presenting this summer: the Dark Star Orchestra. Folks, this is the Grateful Dead cover band. They’re extraordinary, and you don’t want to miss it. Members of the Dead have joined the Dark Star Orchestra for tours in years past, ensuring you’re getting the most authentic Grateful Dead experience possible.

A Night at the Orchestra can mean so many things at Britt, and there’s something for everyone. I’m getting my picnic basket ready for a summer of fun and community, and I can’t wait to see you on the hill!