MEDFORD, OREGON – The 2019 Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) season begins on July 23 with the launch of a new concert series that will take place on each Tuesday of the BFO season: July 23, July 30, and August 6. Titled “Teddy’s Discovery Tuesdays”, this new series takes the place of the orchestra’s traditional Pops concert, and is designed to be a more casual concert-going experience. Teddy’s Discovery Tuesdays offer musical explorations for a broad audience, stretching the imagination of concert-goers in short, affordable, and accessible performances. All three concerts are “Scout Approved” for children of all ages. Seating for each performance is open, so come early if you want a spot on the benches.
The first of Teddy’s Discovery Tuesdays on July 23 is Family Night, and features Prokofiev’s beloved musical fairy tale Peter and the Wolf. The BFO will also perform The Mountain That Loved a Bird, a work for narrator and orchestra by the 2019 Conducting/Composition Fellow, Caroline Shaw. Both pieces will be narrated by actor Bruce Campbell, known for his work in many popular films.
July 30, the second Tuesday of the BFO season, is Community Night. Members of the BFO will be joined by local musicians in a performance of In C by California composer Terry Riley. In C is one of the most famous minimalist compositions, and involves elements of improvisation. We encourage the audience to move about the performing space to get different perspectives on this fascinating work.
The August 6 performance is Pops Night featuring favorites by American composer George Gershwin. Singer Morgan James returns to the Britt main stage to sing hit numbers such as Summertime, Embraceable You, and I Got Rhythm. Teddy will also play and conduct the ever-popular Rhapsody in Blue, all accompanied by the BFO in what is sure to be a fun evening of musical adventures.
Tickets are on sale at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 7. They can be purchased online at brittfest.org or at the Britt box office: 216 W. Main St., Medford. 541-773-6077
Teddy’s Discovery Tuesdays
$20 adults/$10 children – open seating on the Hill
July 23 – Family Night
CAROLINE SHAW – The Mountain That Loved a Bird
SERGEI PROKOFIEV – Peter & the Wolf
Featuring Bruce Campbell – Narrator
July 30 – Community Night
TERRY RILEY – In C
BFO will be joined by local musicians in an informal performance of Terry Riley’s seminal minimalist work
August 6 – Pops Night featuring singer Morgan James
A program of George Gershwin’s most popular tunes, including a performance of Rhapsody in Blue by our very own Teddy Abrams
Teddy’s Discovery Tuesdays are underwritten by Cutler Investment Group, LLC.
Inspired by its intimate and scenic hillside venue, Britt Music & Arts Festival provides diverse live performances, an incomparable classical festival and dynamic education programs that create a sense of discovery and community. Since its grassroots beginnings in 1963, the non-profit organization has grown from a two-week chamber music festival to a summer-long series of concerts in a variety of genres, including a three-week orchestra season, and year-round education and engagement programs. For more information, visit www.brittfest.org.