FREE EVENTS this weekend!

 

Want to share COMAT NEWS?

Share the News with Friends and Family!

Sign Up to get COMAT NEWS Here!

This Week's Headlines Read on below for more details! June 5: Bend Pops Masterclass - Small Ensembles (FREE) June 5: Sunriver Music Festival Young Artists Scholarship Concert (FREE) June 7: HDCM Spotlight Chamber Players Pop-Up Concert (FREE) June 7: Bend Pops Orchestra Presents: Popspourri (FREE) June 13: CO Flute Ensemble Spring Concert June 14: HDCM Presents the Tekalli Duo June 19 & 21: OperaBend, Die Fledermaus July 18: Sunriver Music Festival Raise the Baton Fundraising Party Aug 10-20: Sunriver Music Festival: America@250, Tickets on Sale now! For Sale / Seeking Help / In the News Want to be a part of the Music (Sunriver Music Festival)? Sunriver Music Festival Announces Scholarship Recipients HDCM Spotlight Chamber Players Available for Private Events June 15: Submissions due for virtual version of The Star-Spangled Banner Have news to share? Check out the deadline and rates at the bottom!

Bend Pops Orchestra: Two Evenings of Masterclasses! Featuring: Guest composer, Dr. Jennifer Stevenson Small Ensembles June 5, 2026, 6:30 - 8:30PM Mountain View HS Auditorium Discover the skills behind successful ensemble rehearsals and performances as Dr. Stevenson coaches groups from Bend Pops Orchestra. Whether you are a musician or simply love listening, this lively session is sure to be enjoyable for all. This event is FREE! For more information: www.bendpops.org | @bend.pops.orchestra We’d love to know if you’re planning to join so we have enough snacks, but last minute attendees also welcome! bendpopsorchestra@gmail.com

Young Artists Scholarship Concert FREE CONCERT: June 5, 7:00 PM Throughout its 31-year history, Sunriver Music Festival’s Young Artists Scholarship program has awarded over $750,000 in scholarships to almost 200 exceptional young classical music students from throughout Central Oregon. Each year, 15+ musicians aged 11-24 are awarded scholarships to aid with expenses related to college tuition, music camps and conservatories, or private music lessons. Several scholarship recipients are college students seriously pursuing a career in classical music. They have been accepted into highly acclaimed schools such as the Cleveland Institute of Music, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Eastman School of Music in New York. A community concert will be presented Friday, June 5, 7 pm at Community Bible Church at Sunriver featuring these advanced young musicians. All are invited to attend and be inspired by the future of music. This concert is offered as a free gift to the community. Several of the 2025’s Young Artists Scholarship recipients share their music and educational journey for schools in the Bend-La Pine school district throughout the year and at select Sunriver Music Festival concerts. Multiple scholarship recipient Fiona Curley, soprano, was featured last summer in the Festival’s 48th season Family Concert.  These vital scholarship funds are raised through the generosity of individual donors and at the annual Raise the Baton Fundraising Party in Bend on July 18.  June 5 – Young Artists Scholarship Concert 7:00 pm at Sunriver Community Bible Church, 1 Theatre Drive, Sunriver. Free admission Sunriver Music Festival is a year-round nonprofit presenting world-class orchestral performances and supporting music education throughout Central Oregon. Through a commitment to excellence, collaboration and innovation, the Festival seeks to foster a lifelong love of classical music in its many diverse forms. | sunrivermusic.org

Spotlight Chamber Players “Pop-Up Concert” This Weekend! High Desert Chamber Music presents this season’s “Pop-Up Concerts!” this weekend. This performance is FREE to attend and open to all. This event takes place on Sunday, June 7, 3:00 pm, at Watershed Coffee Roasters (formerly Looney Bean Coffee) in Downtown Bend. The Spotlight Chamber Players will feature a piano trio, violin duo, and violin/cello duo performing works by Handel, Haydn, and more. Arrive early to grab your favorite coffee or beverage! The following students will be featured on Sunday: Madeleine Bloom (violin), Peyton Cape (cello), Parker Carlson (violin), Ezra Oncken (violin), and Harper Renfroe (piano). This program provides advanced training and regular chamber music instruction to dedicated young musicians in Central Oregon. Participants work in small ensembles and perform throughout the year at HDCM events and in the community. HDCM Spotlight Chamber Players and all Educational Outreach programs are sponsored by the Brooks Resources Corporation.  For More Information: Phone: 541.306.3988 Email: info@highdesertchambermusic.com Office: 961 NW Brooks St. (Downtown Bend) Mailing: P.O. Box 1272 Bend, OR 97709 Web: www.HighDesertChamberMusic.com High Desert Chamber Music’s mission is to bring exceptional chamber music and musicians to Central Oregon. HDCM presents an acclaimed series of classical chamber music concerts featuring an exciting roster of professional performing artists. Join us in our eighteenth season and experience the impact that live musical excellence can bring to our community! Come hear the music!

Bend Pops Orchestra Presents: Popspourri! Join us for our spring concert! We have an eclectic mix this go round — a veritable “potpourri” of musical goodness! From the popular music genre we have "Journey’s Greatest Hits" and Gloria Estefan’s "Let’s Get Loud". From the land of movie music, we offer**"How to Train Your Dragon",** John Williams’ ever-popular "Cantina Band" from Star Wars, and**"Somewhere in Time",** from the 1980 film of the same title starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. We’re also carrying over our winter concert hits with the video game theme "Super Mario Bros 3 – Overworld".Rounding out the mix is Soon Hee Newbold’s majestic"Angel City", and Jeffrey Bishop’s mysterious "Aethelinda"(meaning “dragon” in Old English). The highlight of our program will be the premiere of a work commissioned by the Pops from composer Dr. Jennifer Stevenson, written especially for the orchestra, entitled "Return to Joy". Sunday, June 7, 2:00PM Mountain View High School 2755 NE 27th St, Bend As always, admission is free! (Donations gratefully accepted.)

Central Oregon Flute Ensemble’s Spring Concert!     You’re invited to the Central Oregon Flute Ensemble’s Spring Concert! We have a wonderful variety of flute choir* music in store for you, from classical to contemporary to popular. Our performance is Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 pm in the brand new Central Branch of the Deschutes County Library! We’re so excited to be the first group to be featured performing in the new space! Admission is free and open to all. Arrive early, as we packed the Redmond Library to standing room only for our holiday concert! Central Oregon Flute Ensemble (COFE) Spring Concert Saturday, June 13, 2026 2:00 - 3:00 PM Deschutes County Library, Central Branch 61956 SE Santorini St, Bend For more information, please see our Facebook event or email us at COFluteEnsemble@gmail.com. We hope you’ll join us! * What is a flute choir? A flute choir is an instrumental ensemble comprising the different members of the flute family. Just as parts in a vocal choir (soprano, alto, etc.) have different vocal ranges and qualities, flute family instruments have varying musical ranges and sound qualities. Most prevalent is the familiar “concert” or C flute you know and love from bands and orchestras. To this is added the rich, warm, and resonant sounds of the “low flutes” – the alto and bass. Occasionally the piccolo adds a bright, soaring melody or a lovely descant above the melodic line. All this gives flute choir music rich, complex musical interest we know you will enjoy! Do you play flute? Or did you used to play and want to get back into it? Check us out at our webpage , and submit a contact message if you’re interested in joining!

HDCM Season Finale features the Tekalli Duo!     High Desert Chamber Music’s 2025-26 season, presented by Washington Trust Bank and Lynch Murphy McLane LLP, will conclude in June with the New York-based Tekalli Duo. This dynamic sibling violin and piano duo captivates audiences by their technical mastery as well as their shared musical intuition. As The Examiner raves, “The Tekalli Duo are bonded by a sizzling musical connection, capable of holding their spectators spellbound.” This concert is brought to you by Drew Family Dentistry and will take place on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 4:30 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The program includes works by Mozart, Ravel, Ginastera, and more. Ticket holders may join the duo for a concert preview at 3:45 pm.  While in Bend, the duo will also be featured at HDCM’s “Music & Friends” fundraiser, performing in an intimate setting that reflects the origins of chamber music. This special event will be held at a private residence in Broken Top; please contact High Desert Chamber Music directly for attendance information. Tickets are available through HDCM online, by phone, or in person at their office in Downtown Bend. HDCM 2025-2026 title sponsors include Washington Trust Bank and Lynch Murphy McLane LLP, Pahlisch Homes, Miller Lumber, German Master Tech, Pine Tavern Restaurant, Drew Family Dentistry, Cascade School of Music, Cascade A&E, Central Oregon Daily, and Newstalk KBND and 107.7 Radio. Further information: General Admission - $49, Child/Student Tickets $10 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon – 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd. Bend, OR 97703 Contact: 541.306.3988 / info@HighDesertChamberMusic.com / 961 NW Brooks St. (Downtown Bend) High Desert Chamber Music’s mission is to bring exceptional chamber music and musicians to Central Oregon. HDCM presents an acclaimed series of classical chamber music concerts featuring an exciting roster of professional performing artists. Join us in our eighteenth season and experience the impact that live musical excellence can bring to our community! Come hear the music!

Die Fledermaus! (only 3 weeks away) Opening night is just three weeks away, and we can't wait to celebrate the grand finale of our season with you! This June, OperaBend presents Johann Strauss Jr.'s beloved operetta, Die Fledermaus—a sparkling comedy filled with champagne-fueled mischief, mistaken identities, dazzling melodies, and the famous waltzes that have delighted audiences for generations. Performed in English with supertitles and conducted by Michael Gesme, this joyful production promises an unforgettable afternoon or evening of laughter, beautiful music, and theatrical fun. We are also thrilled to feature special guest performances by the Central Oregon School of Ballet. Pre-Show Talk Join us one hour before each performance for a special pre-show talk, where you'll learn more about the story, music, and history behind this beloved operetta. Whether you're a longtime opera lover or introducing friends and family to OperaBend for the first time, Die Fledermaus is the perfect way to cap off an extraordinary season. Friday, June 19th at 7:00 PM Sunday, June 21st at 3:00 PM Tickets on sale now at: https://www.operabend.org/die-fledermaus  Sung in English and conducted by Michael Gesme, this vibrant production will feature OperaBend’s Principal Artists, Chorus, and Orchestra, along with special guest performers from the Central Oregon School of Ballet! #MeetOpera!  Don't miss these sensational and unforgettable shows-see you there!

Raise the Baton! Festival Tickets on Sale NOW!  Raise the Baton! Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 5 PM Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend From August 10-20, 2026, Sunriver Music Festival presents its 49th season in two spectacular, historic Central Oregon venues—the Sunriver Resort Great Hall and the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. Performances feature world-class orchestra musicians and renowned soloists, led by Artistic Director & Conductor Brett Mitchell. The Festival includes four classical concerts, a pops concert, and a family concert, each with the full Festival Orchestra and featured soloists of great acclaim. Tickets at sunrivermusic.org or call 541-593-1084 The Raise the Baton fundraising party is on July 18 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend. Help make the music happen while enjoying performances and conversations with Young Artists Scholarship recipients—some of Central Oregon’s most advanced young musicians. Hosted by Maestro Brett Mitchell and Auctioneer Molly May of Marquam Agency, this is sure to be a fun evening, with lively auctions, paddle raise, entertainment, and delicious dinner and drinks. Visit sunrivermusic.org today to reserve your seat. The Raise the Baton paddle raise directly funds the Young Artists Scholarships. Tickets Available Here ----------------------------------------------- Sunriver Music Festival is a year-round nonprofit presenting world-class orchestral performances and supporting music education throughout Central Oregon. Through a commitment to excellence, collaboration and innovation, the Festival seeks to foster a lifelong love of classical music in its many diverse forms. Visit sunrivermusic.org for more information.

Make Your Plans for the Sunriver Music Festival! August 10-20 - “America@250” Summer Festival We're excited to welcome you to the 49th summer of Sunriver Music Festival August 10-20, 2026 in Bend & Sunriver, Oregon!   As America celebrates 250 years in 2026, we honor one of its greatest gifts to the world: music. The 49th season programming, curated by Artistic Director & Conductor Brett Mitchell, will feature eclectic works by American composers - Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, William Grant Still, Joan Tower, Kevin Puts, Edgar Meyer and John Williams - alongside favorites by Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Schumann, Mendelssohn and more.     The Summer Festival opens August 10 at Sunriver Resort's historic Great Hall and closes August 20 at the iconic Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. Four classical concerts, a pops concert and a family concert will be presented. Featured artists include pianist Michelle Cann, violinists William Hagen and Tessa Lark, bass-baritone Timothy Jones, and the Central Oregon Mastersingers. Full details at sunrivermusic.org. ----------------------------------------------- Sunriver Music Festival is a year-round nonprofit presenting world-class orchestral performances and supporting music education throughout Central Oregon. Through a commitment to excellence, collaboration and innovation, the Festival seeks to foster a lifelong love of classical music in its many diverse forms. Visit sunrivermusic.org for more information.

All Summer Festival Concert Tickets NOW ON SALE and Volunteer Opportunities! SERIES SAVINGS—10% DISCOUNT Purchase a full five-concert series of the Classical Concerts and Pops Concert and save 10%! To get the discount, add all 5 concerts to your cart and the discount will be automatically applied. Select "Continue Shopping" to add multiple events to your cart. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNTIES: There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available during the Summer Festival and throughout the year. Whether you enjoy working with people, shining behind the scenes, or sharing a specific skill, there's a place for you to be part of making the music happen. Complete the online volunteer form to share your interests! ----------------------------------------------- Sunriver Music Festival is a year-round nonprofit presenting world-class orchestral performances and supporting music education throughout Central Oregon. Through a commitment to excellence, collaboration and innovation, the Festival seeks to foster a lifelong love of classical music in its many diverse forms. Visit sunrivermusic.org for more information.

Sunriver Music Festival: SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO CENTRAL OREGON’S ADVANCED YOUNG MUSIC STUDENTS! 17 accomplished young musicians aged 11-21 have been awarded scholarships from Sunriver Music Festival. Young Artists Scholarship awards are for private music lessons, summer music camps/conservatories, or for college tuition up through one master's degree. This year’s intense audition process welcomed 3 string players, 1 oboist, 3 vocalists, 5 pianists, 1 trombonist, 1 guitarist, 1 saxophonist, 1 trumpeter, and 1 percussionist, all from Central Oregon!   CONGRATULATIONS TO: Clark Adams, viola, age 17 Brandon Allen, piano, age 11 Ellie Cape, piano, age 15 Lauren Chaiet, trumpet, age 19 Marcus Chih, piano, age 11 Casselin Clark, violin, age 12 Fiona Curley, soprano, age 21 Charlie Del Mar, percussion, age 15 Aaron Goyal, guitar, age 18 Spencer Holliday, piano, age 19 Juliana Ives, oboe, age 17 Malia Larson, saxophone, age 19 Lucinda Mone, mezzo-soprano, age 20 Megan Nave, violin, age 15 Matthias Santucci, piano, age 21 Ava Swetland, soprano, age 19 Henry Tee, trombone, age 13   Enjoy performances from several of these young virtuosic musicians at a free concert, 7 PM on Friday, June 5, Community Bible Church at Sunriver, 1 Theater Drive. All invited, no tickets needed.   Throughout its 31-year history, Sunriver Music Festival’s Young Artists Scholarship program has awarded $773,950 in scholarships to 185 exceptional young classical music students from throughout Central Oregon. This year alone, $32,900 was awarded.    “Raise the Baton” is the party raising funds so this vital support for the next generation of musicians can continue. This year’s event is Saturday, July 18 in Bend at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon and will feature performances by advanced scholarship recipients. Sunriver Music Festival’s Artistic Director & Conductor Brett Mitchell returns to host this inspiring evening of music and conversation with the talented scholarship recipients, dinner and drinks, fun with friends, and abundant opportunities to raise the baton for the future of music.   Sure to be a lively evening, tickets available now at sunrivermusic.org or call 541-593-1084. Sunriver Music Festival is a year-round nonprofit presenting world-class orchestral performances and supporting music education throughout Central Oregon. Through a commitment to excellence, collaboration and innovation, the Festival seeks to foster a lifelong love of classical music in its many diverse forms.

High Desert Chamber Music Spotlight Chamber Players Available for Private Events!     High Desert Chamber Music (HDCM) is pleased to announce that its Spotlight Chamber Players are now available for hire for private and community events throughout Central Oregon.   Formed as part of HDCM’s educational initiatives, the Spotlight Chamber Players features talented young musicians who study the art of chamber music performance through the year and perform regularly at HDCM events. These select ensembles perform varied chamber music programs and bring the artistry of live classical music to a wide range of settings.   The ensembles are available to perform at receptions, corporate gatherings, community celebrations, and other special events, offering elegant background music or featured performances that highlight the beauty and intimacy of chamber music.   Those interested in hearing the ensembles can catch the Spotlight Chamber Players performing during April’s First Friday Art Walk at Mockingbird Gallery, offering the public a chance to experience these talented young musicians.   “This program gives our young musicians valuable performance opportunities while sharing live music with the broader community,” says Executive Director Isabelle Senger. “It’s a meaningful way to support emerging artists while enhancing special occasions with live chamber music.”   Hiring the Spotlight Chamber Players not only adds a unique musical element to events but also helps support HDCM’s educational programs for young musicians in Central Oregon.   For more information about hiring the Spotlight Chamber Players, visit HighDesertChamberMusic.com or contact High Desert Chamber Music at info@highdesertchambermusic.com.   Photos Attached: HDCM 2025-26 Spotlight Chamber Players   Further information: Contact:  541.306.3988 / info@highdesertchambermusic.com / 961 NW Brooks St. (Downtown Bend)

Help Create the Largest Virtual Choir of the National Anthem!     Help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States! (BTW, I, Barb, have participated in a couple of these and they're FUN!) The Sheckler Virtual Choir – The Star-Spangled Banner Join the project here: https://www.harrisonsheckler.com/starspangledbannervirtualchoir The goal is simple but ambitious: to bring together thousands of voices and create the largest virtual choir performance of the National Anthem. Singers of all ages and experience levels are welcome. This project continues a series of virtual choir collaborations I’ve led over the past several years, including: You’ll Never Walk Alone https://youtu.be/6gpoJNv5dlQ?si=WuMdwu6DyJJasz3q Take Me Out to the Ball Game https://youtu.be/MlwII9fQlwU?si=_9A4uZB3oUHZwVMz Gloria Gaynor – Talkin' 'Bout Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1CgNGchye4 These projects have brought together singers from across the country and around the world. For this one, we hope to make something even bigger—a massive national chorus celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Who Can Participate Everyone is welcome to join: • Individuals • Families • Choirs • Students and teachers • Community groups You may sing the melody or any SATB harmony part using the score and guide track provided on the website. How to Participate Visit the project page: https://www.harrisonsheckler.com/starspangledbannervirtualchoir Download the vocal score and guide track Record yourself singing the entire piece while listening with headphones Upload your video using the submission form on the website Additional practice tracks for each vocal part will be uploaded soon. Submission deadline: June 15, 2026 The completed video will premiere before July 4, 2026. If you enjoy singing, I hope you’ll join us and help create the largest virtual choir performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Even if you don’t sing yourself, please feel free to share this invitation with choirs, schools, music teachers, and friends. The more voices we gather, the more powerful the final performance will be.

(Want to see your listing here? Check out the different ad services available! Contact: centraloregonmusicnews@gmail.com Submission deadline: EOD Wednesday of each week for Thursday or Friday distribution Distribution:  Email, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and the Central Oregon Music and Theater News blog! 2026 Rates (purchased before 12/31/2026): $25 - NEWS LISTING: A single event posting in the weekly digest for up to 3 months $25 - NEWS FLASH: Send a one-time, stand-alone News Flash distributed on the day of your choice $85 - ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Unlimited postings in the weekly digest for 365 days from the date of purchase

Click here to buy a COMAT News Listing!

Sing out!  Play on! Central Oregon Music and Theater News