Events are Heating UP!

 

Central Oregon Music and Theater News

Want to share COMAT NEWS?

Sign Up Here!

More Fun to Benefit the Sunriver Music Festival! Registration is now open for the first annual “Play On!” Amateur Pickleball Tournament hosted by the Sunriver Music Festival.  The tournament will be held at the Fort Rock Park Pickleball Complex in Sunriver, Oregon  on May 31 and June 1, 2024.  Players interested in registering for the “funds and friends” event can go to www.sunrivermusic.org/pickleball for more information.  All participants must create an account with Pickleball Brackets to sign up for the tournament.  Play On! is also supported by Visit Central Oregon which has granted the court rental fees. Sunriver Owners Association is the permitting agency and facilities owner.  Sunriver Brewing is a featured Sponsor.  The tournament will be divided into three groups. On Friday, May 31st the tournament will begin at 12:00 p.m. with Mixed Doubles.  On Saturday, June 1st Men’s Doubles will start the day at 9:00 a.m. and the Women’s Doubles will begin at 1:00 p.m.  There will be three skill levels of play for each group:  Recreational up to 3.5, Intermediate 3.5 – 4.0, and Competitive at 4.0 and up.  Team Round-Robin format will be used, with final play-offs to crown the top three teams in each bracket.  Scoring will be standard. Play-offs will be scored in typical tournament style. Every effort will be made to organize play for all three skill levels and all brackets.  The Tournament Director reserves the right to make changes to the brackets and schedule based on registrations, weather, and timing.  Plans are in the works for a Social Hour after play ends each day.  Complimentary beverages accompanied by classical music, and a chance to nosh and chat will be on the agenda.  Awards will be made at these events as well.  Contact pickleball@sunrivermusic.org for more information.  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.

BUON VIAGGIO! June 2, 4:00PM at Trinity Episcopal Church Central Oregon Mastersingers leaves in June for a “once-in-a-lifetime” performance at the Vatican in Rome. K.I.D.S., and the good people at Trinity Episcopal Church and Sunriver Christian Fellowship, will make sure Mastersingers are ready to sing in Italy. The talented choral group has been preparing repertoire since February. They depart June 25 for a week-long Italy tour where Mastersingers performs concerts in Sorrento followed by a Mass at the Vatican. “In addition to singing Mass at St. Peter's, we'll present a "friendship concert" with a local Italian choir at Basilica di Sant' Eustachio in Rome,” said Conductor Christian Clark. Before departing, however, the singers will present a concert benefiting K.I.D.S. (Kids Inspired Do Succeed) on Sunday, June 2 at 4 p.m. in St. Helens Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church. This concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be collected to support K.I.D.S., an organization that supports at-risk youth in Central Oregon. For more information: kids-inspired.org The ensemble will also provide special music during the morning service at Sunriver Christian Fellowship on Sunday, June 9 at 10 a.m. “Knowing that a performance at St. Peter’s Basilica (The Vatican) would be a mountain-top experience for us, I shared recordings of Central Oregon Mastersingers, which were screened by local officials in Rome, and resulted in our invitation,” said Clark, explaining the process. At the benefit concert on June 2, Mastersingers will present the full tour program, which includes selections by Palestrina, Victoria, and Lassus, principal composers of the late Renaissance. “This music is complex and difficult to sing, yet serene, and a joy to listen to,” said Clark. “Palestrina, considered the leading composer of late 16th-century Europe, produced hundreds of sacred vocal works of serene beauty, and held positions at several churches in Rome, including St. Peter’s Basilica,” said Clark. The choir will showcase their talented musicians, both in Central Oregon and on tour in Italy, by offering selections from other genres as well, including Ave Maria by R. Nathaniel Dett, Pilgrims’ Hymn by Stephen Paulus, and How Can I Keep from Singing, arranged by Sarah Quartel. Clark added a debt of gratitude in announcing the opportunity: “Central Oregon Mastersingers wouldn't be able to make this trip happen without the support of our community. We are grateful to all who support our endeavors, both here and abroad, and look forward to singing for you very soon.” More than $15,000 in sponsorships was gifted to offer scholarships to help defer costs. For more details, visit the Mastersingers website at www.centraloregonmastersingers.org. Buon Viaggio!

Cascade Winds Spring Concert! June 2, 2:00PM at Summit HS Join us for the Cascade Winds’ Spring Concert, held in the Summit High School Auditorium on Sunday, June 2. The concert begins at 2:00PM, with doors opening at 1:30PM. There is no admission charge. We have a fantastic selection of music for you, ranging from Pinkzebra's rousing Fanfare for a New Era, to Robert Smith's exotic Rising Dragons (featuring our outstanding percussion section), to Satoshi Yagisawa's mystical Nazca Lines - The Universe Drawn on the Earth, to Franco Cesarini's festive Mexican Pictures, and more! We hope you’ll join us! About the Cascade Winds Directed by Michael Gesme, the Cascade Winds concert band performs a wide variety of repertoire that often spans centuries and represents diverse musical styles. Our performances are free and open to all listeners. However, we still have production costs associated with our concerts. As a result we rely on individual and corporate donations as well as fees from the musicians themselves to support our operations. We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and all donations go towards our direct operating expenses. No funding goes toward administration of the band which is fully supported by volunteers from within the group and the Central Oregon community. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and your support will help further the presence of music in Central Oregon. You can learn about supporting the band on our donation page. Contact Us: CascadeWinds.org info@cascadewinds.org www.facebook.com/CascadeWindsOfBend

Have Fun to Benefit for Sunriver Music Festival! OPEN YOUR SEASON AT WOODLANDS: A GOOD TIME FOR A GOOD CAUSE Directly benefiting Sunriver Music Festival, golfing buddies come together on Sunriver Resort's Woodlands Course on June 2 for the 16th annual Swings fore Strings tournament. With a shotgun start and scramble format, this is a lighthearted way to kick off your summer of Sunriver golfing. Worth noting: a regular 18 holes of golf in prime time at the internationally-celebrated and semi-private Woodlands Course is actually higher than this tournament registration. By choosing to play in Swings fore Strings, you get those same 18 holes, PLUS Sunriver Brewing beer, PLUS dinner from Sunriver Resort’s Peak Food Truck, PLUS the good feelings knowing you're supporting Central Oregon's premier classical music organization - Sunriver Music Festival - and helping ensure the future of music. SIGN UP TODAY at sunrivermusic.org or by calling 541-593-1084. All proceeds from Swings fore Strings benefit the missions of Sunriver Music Festival, including the Young Artists Scholarship program and August 10-23’s landmark Summer Festival featuring professional orchestra musicians from around the world. Visit sunrivermusic.org for more information.

Taizé Choir of Central Oregon! LAST SESSION - JUNE 6th First Thursdays, September through June* 7-8 PM St. Helen's Hall  Trinity Episcopal Church, 231 NW Idaho St. Bend (across the street from Trinity sanctuary) Families Welcome! Wheelchair accessible Sponsored by Taizé Choir of Central Oregon Trinity Episcopal Church  taizebend@gmail.com      541-815-5574 Find us on Facebook!

Gospel Choir of the Cascades! Sunday, June 9th at 6pm Grace First Lutheran Church 2265 NW Shevlin Park Rd Come hear some amazing, authentic gospel music with a 30+ voice choir, spectacular soloists and a full rock band. You will leave feeling better than you came in... guaranteed!  The Gospel Choir of the Cascades is a community choir that seeks to lift spirits and spread joy.  All ages welcome! This is a positive event where audience participation (singing, clapping, dancing) is encouraged. :-) Free, donations accepted.

Come join Bend Pops for an afternoon of great music!! Our spring concert features a dazzling array of popular TV and movie theme songs including two of Custer’s arrangements, Jurassic Park, a musical adventure to the land of dinosaurs, and the pulsing rhythm of Mission: Impossible; along with Paul Murtha’s light-hearted and tuneful melody of The Muppet Show. Also presented are American Landscape by Soon Hee Newbold, a tribute to the diverse and unique scenes of the United States, juxtaposed with Italian Folk Festival, a salute to the rich Italian tradition; Johnnie Vinson’s arrangement of Mancini’s Baby Elephant Walk, and the celebratory Radetzky March by Johann Strauss, wherein quiet rhythmic or thunderous clapping from the audience is expected!  Great music for the whole family, with home-baked treats at intermission! Performance details: Sunday, June 9 at 2:00 PM Trinity Lutheran Church 2550 NE Butler Market Rd, Bend Admission is FREE!  So bring the entire family and enjoy an afternoon of delightful music. Would you like to help us by volunteering at a concert?  We need volunteers to help with hospitality before the concert and during intermission.  Please contact us at info@bendpops.org if you can help us out!  Thank you! Our concerts are free to the public, but your contributions are greatly appreciated.  All donations go directly to bringing our music to the people of Central Oregon.  Donations to the 501(c)3 non-profit Bend Pops Orchestra are tax deductible.  You can make donations at our concerts or give online at BendPops.org.  Thank you for your continued support! Feel free to contact us: Email: info@bendpops.org Phone: 541.241.8767

Raise the Baton: The Elements of Music! Sunriver Music Festival has announced its annual fundraising event, “Raise the Baton: The Elements of Music,” which will be held Sunday, July 14 at 5:00 PM in Bend at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon. “The Festival’s Raise the Baton fundraiser offers intriguing glimpses into the myriad elements that create world-class orchestra concerts in Bend & Sunriver each summer,” said Executive Director Meagan Iverson. “Continuing a treasured tradition, the paddle raise at this event directly funds the Young Artists Scholarship Program. Raise the Baton attendees help make the music happen!” Hosted by Maestro Brett Mitchell, the event features performances by Central Oregon’s finest young student musicians. The Raise the Baton silent auction will include the season's original framed art by Robert Allan Hooper (entitled “Twilight Glow”), plus the opportunity to bid on/sponsor “the elements of music”: guest artists, orchestra musicians, individual concerts and musical works, solo parts, travel costs, and more. The auction and sponsorship opportunities will be hosted by local personalities Dr. Stephen Marshall and Brett Bizik. Throughout its 29-year history, Sunriver Music Festival’s Young Artists Scholarship program has awarded almost $700,000 in scholarships to exceptional young classical music students from throughout Central Oregon. In 2023 alone, 10 musicians aged 16-23 were awarded a combined total of $35,600 in scholarships to aid with expenses related to college tuition or private music lessons. The cost to attend is $100 per person, and includes hearty hors d'oeuvres and complimentary wine and soft drinks. Registration opens on June 1. To register, visit sunrivermusic.org, email information@sunrivermusic.org or call 541.593.1084. Sunriver Music Festival’s 2024 summer season will be held in Bend and Sunriver from August 10-23. Events are at the iconic Tower Theatre in downtown Bend and the historic Great Hall at Sunriver Resort. Artistic Director & Conductor Brett Mitchell will lead world-class orchestra musicians and acclaimed soloists in a remarkable 47th season with a theme of “Classical Elements.” For details and tickets, visit sunrivermusic.org.

SUNRIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL’S 2024 SUMMER SEASON! TICKETS FOR SUNRIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL’S 2024 SUMMER SEASON GO ON SALE JUNE 1 August 10-23, 2024, Sunriver Music Festival will fill Central Oregon with world-class music. Artistic Director & Conductor Brett Mitchell leads professional orchestra musicians and acclaimed soloists in a remarkable 47th season held in two venues, the iconic Tower Theatre in downtown Bend and Sunriver Resort’s historic Great Hall. Tickets for all events go on sale Saturday, June 1, and can be purchased online at sunrivermusic.org or by phone at 541.593.9310. Distinguished Soloists: Pianists Joyce Yang & Orion Weiss; Violinist Tessa Lark More info to come!

Thank You For an Incredible Season! What an incredible season we've had. We were thrilled to welcome over 10,000 attendees to our main Fall, Winter, and Spring concert series, Chamber Concerts, Music in Public Places performances, Music Masters Series recitals, and our Virginia Riggs Children's Concert. We capped off the season with a fun raffle, and a stunning marimba concerto performed by Britton-René Collins making the finale unforgettable.  Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We can't wait to see you next season. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Changes Are Afoot As many of you know, we have proudly held our performances at Bend Senior High School for many years. However, due to the ongoing construction of the new Bend High and the remodel of the auditorium, we will likely need to find an alternative venue for our concerts for the next four years. This poses a challenge, as no other local auditorium matches the 1400-seat capacity of Bend High, with most alternatives maxing out at around 600 seats. Rest assured, we are committed to maintaining our tradition of bringing top-notch performances to Central Oregon, as we have done for over 55 years. Your membership and support are more crucial now than ever as we navigate this transition.   Thank you for being a valued member of our community. Make sure to follow our social media accounts for the latest updates.   Membership is Now Open For The 2024-2025 Season. Renew Today!

SUNRIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL SELECTS ARTWORK BY ROBERT ALLAN HOOPER! Sunriver Music Festival has selected Robert Allan Hooper’s “Twilight Glow” as its poster artwork for 2024.  Each year, the Festival features an artist local to Central Oregon for the season’s poster. Artists were invited to submit their artwork for consideration and a jury of professional artists from the Artist’s Gallery Sunriver assists in making the final selection. Hooper’s original acrylic on canvas, 18x24, custom-framed by Eastlake Framing, will be auctioned at the Raise the Baton fundraiser on July 14. Details and tickets at sunrivermusic.org. Fine art quality reproductions of this work will also grace the cover of the brochure and program book for the 47th season of the summer festival. Posters are available for $25 ($30 shipped). Framed posters are $85. Notecards with Festival art are $30 for a pack of 10. All merchandise is available at the Sunriver Music Festival office. Call 541.593.1084 or email information@sunrivermusic.org to purchase posters. About Robert Allan Hooper (In the artist’s words): “I was born in 1942 in British Columbia, the last of four sons to my wonderful parents. We were raised being taught to love the beauty of nature. My mother was an artist, who saw in me my interest in art. When I was eight years old, she sacrificed to get me three months of lessons. At age 13, we moved to Southern California. I made a friend, who is my best friend to this day. We loved to hike, ride bikes and camp. We loved the beauty of the mountains, orange groves and desert, which all we had to do was step out our door to see. Over the years, we visited many ghost towns, abandoned barns and abandoned old caves. In high school, I took art classes. At age 16, I entered an art contest. I did not get first place in the contest, so I put away my supplies.  As an adult, life got very busy with a wife and four kids and during that time my artistic talent went towards designing yards and decorating homes. After I lost my first wife, one of my sons and I were going through family photos, and there it was, the painting I had done at 16. My current wife asked why I had stopped painting. I told her the story and said I wasn’t going to paint again. For Christmas that year, my son had framed prints of my painting made for myself and my children. My current wife asked me again to start painting. For my 79th birthday, my wife got me painting supplies, with acrylics as my medium. By this time, we were living here in Bend, Oregon, with snow and long, cold winters to pass the time painting. I am enjoying painting pictures of the beauty God has given us. It has been three years and I have not wasted any canvases. It is with great pride that my painting ‘Twilight Glow’ was chosen for the Sunriver Music Festival poster for 2024.” Sunriver Music Festival’s 2024 summer season will be held in Bend and Sunriver from August 10-23. Events are at the iconic Tower Theatre in downtown Bend and the historic Great Hall at Sunriver Resort. Artistic Director & Conductor Brett Mitchell will lead world-class orchestra musicians and acclaimed soloists in a remarkable 47th season with a theme of “Classical Elements.” For details and tickets, visit sunrivermusic.org.

Sing with Operabend! We are always welcoming new local singers to our chorus and recital roster. Even if you’ve never sung opera before, we welcome singers of varying levels and experience.* We just ask that you come with a positive attitude and willingness to learn! Our next opportunity to participate will take place in the fall (specifics to be announced at a later date). *Please note that the ability to read music is highly preferred, but we do provide ear training resources for part learning.

Want to see your listing here? Check out the different ad services available! Contact: centraloregonmusicnews@gmail.com 2024 Rates: $20 - A single event posting for up to 3 months $20 - Send a one-time, stand-alone News Flash distributed on the day of your choice. $65 - Unlimited postings in the weekly digest for 365 days from the date of purchase.  Submission deadline: EOD Wednesday of each week for Thursday or Friday distribution Distribution:  Email, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and the Central Oregon Music News blog! COMAT is now including theatre listings!

PayPal link - click here

(@RichcraftStudios)

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