August has been such an exciting month on the Britt hill, and we have much more to look forward to, as summer extends into September. We are fresh off of an exciting Classical Festival, and I hope you were able to join Teddy Abrams and the Britt Orchestra during their three weeks of music-making. The musicians of our orchestra, along with the wonderful singers from the Rogue Valley Chorale, Southern Oregon Repertory Singers and San Francisco Girls Chorus, delivered a beautiful and memorable Opening Night concert when they performed the dramatic Carmina Burana in hot, smoky weather.

The music-making continued through the Rite of Spring, the world premiere song cycle Bull Frogs Croon with Aoife O’Donovan and Jeremy Kittel, a wonderful Symphony Pops with Morgan James, all the way through to the Orchestra Showcase concert that closed the season. The Britt Orchestra members come from all over the country each year, and many consider Jacksonville their second home. Thanks to all of you who welcomed them into your homes and businesses, and to all who make the Britt Classical Festival such a special experience.

It’s bittersweet to end the Classical Festival, but exciting to look forward. We are thrilled to present A Valentine Gala benefitting Britt Orchestra, on February 11, 2016. The one and only China Forbes, vocalist for Pink Martini, will perform at this gala event, which will take place at the Inn at the Commons in Medford, and will also include a three-course dinner. Tickets are on sale now! See our website for more information.

We also look ahead to the music we still have this season, with one of the most extensive September lineups we’ve ever had this late in the summer. Some highlights include: Kacey Musgraves, who is simultaneously breaking country music boundary lines and revisiting old sounds, on September 3; the innovative acoustic/progressive bluegrass act Punch Brothers, led by Chris Thile of Nickel Creek, on September 5; nostalgia-filled music with The Turtles on September 11, when we’ll be “Happy Together,”; a fun night of comedy with the top five finalists of Last Comic Standing on September 12, and more!

We hope to see you on the Britt hill this month. Check out our full September schedule at brittfest.org.

Featured image is China Forbes of Pink Martini, Photo by Autumn de Wilde.