News from Britt Hill – May 2023

Sumer is icumen in – lhude sing cuccu!

Groweth sed and bloweth med in springth wude nu.

Do you know this 13th century song? As the daughter of two music teachers, I grew up with so many weird, wonderful songs, and this one—about the music of cuckoos singing, meadows blooming, and the trees coming back to life to welcome summer—it repeats in my head this time of year, every year. It feels especially poignant to me this year, as we are preparing for another summer of music in nature on the Britt Hill.

This very, very old song also reminds me of the long tradition of live performance, and why it speaks to us in such a special way. The first known recorded music is from 1888—135 very short years ago. Before that, the only way to experience music was to hear it in person, as it was happening. And music has always been important to us as a species. I recently learned that the oldest discovered flute is over 60,000 years old, while the first indications of humans wearing pants dates from about 20,000 years ago. While I’m not sure current etiquette standards would maintain that music is more important than pants, it’s certainly given me a lot to ponder!

Music in community—well, that’s where the real magic happens. When we gather to share something beautiful, energetic, and ephemeral, we leave with a new, shared story. One of my favorite memories of last summer was the bird that perched on a tree high above the stage and sang along at every Britt Festival Orchestra performance. Magic! Hearing other people relay that story back to me, I feel immediate kinship with others who share that memory. Stories, memories, and music bring us together from our many different, everyday lives.

All that is to say, I’m so ready for the return of concerts on the Britt Hill. Experiencing live music together is arguably a need embedded in our DNA. We evolved with music and continue to do so.

So, whether you join us for Ringo Starr, Beethoven 5, Ashley McBryde, The Head and The Heart, The Princess Bride with orchestra, Daughtry, CAKE, or one of our many other wonderful shows, it’s such a privilege to share those ephemeral, magic moments with you. I can’t wait!

(But history aside, please wear pants.)

See you soon! Abby