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Pasadena-based String Quartet to Perform in Bend and Salem, Oregon! Season Finale Concert and World Premiere The Crown City String Quartet, a renowned ensemble from Pasadena, will be performing in Bend and Salem on their upcoming trip to Oregon.The quartet, comprised of violinists Isabelle Senger and Kevin Kumar, violist Carrie Holzman-Little, and cellist Dane Little, has been performing since 2007, and their performances have been praised as "sublime" and "simply moving and spectacular." The group will perform in the HDCM Concert Series on Friday, May 17 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Bend, followed by a performance at the Chemeketa Concert Series at Chemeketa Auditorium on Sunday, May 19 in Salem. A highlight of the program is the premiere of “Potion of Eleusis”, a new work by Hollywood composer and Bend resident Chris Thomas. Commissioned by High Desert Chamber Music for the Crown City String Quartet, this piece promises an immersive and visionary experience for the audience. Chris Thomas shares his excitement about the premiere: "I'm thrilled that the Crown City String Quartet will debut my new piece, Potion of Eleusis. It's a unique opportunity for a composer to hear their work performed by such an esteemed ensemble. The music delves into ancient traditions and ecstatic energies, creating a vivid sonic journey for the listeners."   In addition to Thomas's composition, the program will feature classical masterpieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Alexander Borodin, showcasing the quartet's versatility and musical insight. Tickets for the Bend concert are available through High Desert Chamber Music, and tickets for the Salem concert can be purchased via Chemeketa Concerts. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to experience the Crown City String Quartet live in Oregon! About the Crown City String Quartet: Founded in 2007, the members are current and former members and principal players of some of Southern California's most renowned music organizations, including the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, and San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Further information: General Admission - $48, 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)

Central Oregon Symphony SEASON FINALE! Spring Concert Series 2024 Saturday, May 18, 2024, 7:30 pm Sunday, May 19th, 2:00 pm Bend Senior High School   Hailed as an “Astounding Virtuoso” and “Exhilarating” performer, the rising-star percussionist, Britton- René Collins, will join the COS for our season finale. Noted for her exceptional musicianship and active passion for creating social change through her music, Britton-René will perform a new work by Australian based composer, Sergei Golovko. Also featured on the concert will be a lightning-fast prelude from Wagner’s opera Lohengrin and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, which LA Philharmonic program annotator, Orrin Howard, describes as “an abundance of gorgeously conceived lushness and tautly brilliant propulsiveness, both operating within orchestral textures of rich sonority.”

Tap Your Toes With OLDIES BUT GOODIES! The Cascade Chorale invites you to a nostalgic musical soirée that promises to whisk you away on a heartfelt trip down memory lane. This special event will take place on: Saturday, May 18, at 7:00 PM  Sunday, May 19, at 3:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Bend 230 NE 9th Street, Bend Oregon.  Prepare to be serenaded with classics from the golden era of music, featuring hits from Aretha Franklin to the Eagles, and the Beatles to Neil Diamond. This unique concert will see the Cascade Chorale teaming up with Jazz Central for a vibrant showcase of songs that defined the 50s, 60s, and 70s. “Our aim is to evoke memories and create new ones with tunes that have stood the test of time,” said Barbara Rich, a spokesperson for the Cascade Chorale. “This concert is more than a performance; it’s an active celebration of music that brought—and continues to bring—people together.” Established on the principle that choral music should be experienced by all, the Cascade Chorale has been at the heart of Central Oregon’s music scene since 1967, bringing diverse choral performances to the community. Since 2012, the organization has offered its Winter and Spring concerts free of charge, a testament to its commitment to making music accessible to everyone. This generous model is made possible through the support of patrons and sponsors whose donations ensure the continuation of these cultural offerings. The OLDIES BUT GOODIES concert is part of this mission, made all the more special by the collaborators, venue, and the undeniable charm of the chosen music era. Audience members are encouraged to clap along and tap their toes to the rhythm of beloved classics in this celebration of timeless music. Admission to the concert is free, with donations gratefully accepted to support the Cascade Chorale’s ongoing mission to enrich Central Oregon with high-quality choral music. These funds are crucial for covering operational costs such as hiring musicians, venue rental, and other project-related expenses. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a live performance that bridges generations through the universal language of music. Your tax-deductible donation or sponsorship will aid in preserving this cherished tradition, ensuring that beautiful choral music remains a staple of the Central Oregon cultural landscape. Join us for a weekend of melody, memory, and community spirit. See you there! cascadechorale.org

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.

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!

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 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.

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