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This Week's Headlines Read on below for more details! April 24: Art Due for The Secret Garden! April 25: CO Mastersingers: We are the Music Makers - NEARLY SOLD OUT! May 3: Now and Evermore: A Celebration of Great Hymns and Anthems May 7: Taizé May 8-17: The Secret Garden, BEAT Children's Theatre May 9: "Mostly Low" A Recital for Low Flutes and Piano May 16: HDCM/CSM Peter Wiley Cello Masterclass & Concerts May 16 & 17: Cascade Chorale, Sing the POPS ~ A Celebration of America's 250th May 17: Redmond Community Choir Presents: Americana May 23 & 24: OperaBend, The Medium June 2 & 5: Bend Pops Masterclasses - Composition & Arrangement and Small Ensembles June 7: Bend Pops Orchestra Presents: Popspourri! June 19 & 21: OperaBend, Die Fledermaus July 18: Sunriver Music Festival Raise the Baton Fundraising Party Aug 10-20: Sunriver Music Festival: America@250 For Sale / Seeking Help / In the News April 10 - May 3: Come say HELLO to me and tell me how you like COMAT News! HDCM Spotlight Chamber Players Available for Private Events May 1: Sunriver Music Festival Young Artists Scholarship Applications Due June 15: Submissions due for virtual version of The Star-Spangled Banner July 18: Sunriver Music Festival Raise the Baton Fundraising Party Have news to share? Check out the deadline and rates at the bottom!

CALL FOR ARTISTS! The Secret Garden DEADLINE: April 24, 2026 We are seeking donated, handmade flowers from BEAT families, local artists, and community members of all ages and experience levels for The Secret Garden. As the story unfolds, the stage will gradually fill with your creations, symbolizing growth, healing, and joy. Donated flowers will also be featured in a silent auction to benefit BEAT during the show's run, giving audience members the chance to bid and take home a beautiful piece of the production. Flower Guidelines: Any medium welcome: paper, fabric, ceramic, metal, crochet, painting, photography, illustration, etc. Maximum 2 feet in diameter Maximum 5 pounds (contact us if heavier) No lights or electronic elements Bright colors encouraged, but no neon colors Designed to be hung, mounted, or placed on stage Minimal use of leaves is welcome If you have an idea outside these guidelines or any questions about contributing, please contact our Executive Director, Bree Beal, at bree.beal@beatchildrenstheatre.org Drop-off Location: BEAT Studio, 1080 SE 9th Street, Ste 120, Bend, OR 97702 Thank you for helping us fill our stage, and our community, with beauty.

FINAL CALL: We Are The Music Makers NEARLY SOLD OUT! Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 7:00 PM We are down to the final tickets for We Are the Music Makers! This Saturday, April 25, at 7 PM, we’re taking the stage at the Tower Theatre for a night you won’t want to miss. Not only is this our season finale, but it’s the grand conclusion to our 20th Anniversary Season. We want our community there to help us celebrate two decades of music-making. If you haven’t grabbed your seats yet, now is the time—they are disappearing fast! At the heart of the program is Illuminare by acclaimed composer Elaine Hagenberg, performed with orchestra. This luminous and deeply moving work explores themes of light, hope, and renewal, weaving together rich choral textures with expressive orchestral writing. Hagenberg’s music has quickly become beloved by choirs and audiences alike, and Illuminare offers a powerful centerpiece for this milestone celebration. The evening will also feature favorite selections from the Mastersingers’ twenty-year history—music that has shaped the ensemble’s identity and resonated with audiences throughout the region and beyond. Founding director Clyde Thompson will join us for this special occasion, along with former members of the ensemble, making this concert both a reunion and a tribute to the community that has sustained the Mastersingers since its founding. Whether you have been part of our journey for years or are experiencing the Mastersingers for the first time, this concert promises an inspiring night of choral and orchestral music honoring the past while looking ahead to the future. Join us as we celebrate twenty years of harmony, artistry, and community with the Central Oregon Mastersingers. TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

NOW AND EVERMORE Music for the Church On Sunday, May 3, at 3:00 pm, the choirs of Nativity Lutheran Church, Bend Church, and members of the Central Oregon Mastersingers will join in a celebration of great hymns and anthems of the church.  The forty-voice choir will present an array of several beloved and timeless hymns of Christianity.  The audience will be invited to join the choir in singing additional favorite hymns at the end of the concert. The concert will be held at Nativity Lutheran Church.  Admission is free; donations will be gratefully accepted and will go toward supporting the music ministry of Nativity Lutheran Church.

Next Taizé: May 7th! A meditative interfaith service of music, prayer, silence 2025-2026 SEASON 7-8 pm on the first Thursday October through May* Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Helen’s Hall (across the street from Trinity sanctuary) 231 NW Idaho St, Bend Families Welcome! May service to be at Shalom Bayit 21555 Modoc Lane, Bend (off Ward Road, east of Bend) Both locations are wheelchair accessible Sponsored by Taizé Choir of Central Oregon taizebend@gmail.com 541-815-5574 Find us on Facebook

EXPLORE THE SECRET GARDEN THIS SPRING!   Open Space Event Studios 5/8/26-5/17/26 Ticket Link Presented by BEAT Children's Theatre, this adaptation by Tim Kelly of the literary classic you’ve loved for years tells the story of Mary Lennox, known as a difficult child, sent to live at her uncle’s estate in England after her parents pass away. Misselthwaite Manor turns out to be a gloomy fortress. Her uncle is rarely home, and his young son, Colin, never leaves his room, convinced he’s an incurable invalid. To her surprise, Mary discovers a strange walled garden that has been locked up for years. With the assistance of Dickon, the gardener’s apprentice, Mary brings the garden back to life and discovers Dickon’s amazing ability to communicate with animals. The garden seems to have a wonderful, magical effect on all who come into it, allowing Mary to help restore Colin to health and to reunite him with his father. This version also introduces the endearing Sowerby family, who add much laughter and love to this touching story. Take time to smell the roses.

“Mostly Low” A Recital for Low Flutes and Piano (with some regular flute thrown in) Saturday, May 9, 2026 7:00PM Wille Hall, COCC Campus Free admission Program Flyer A trio of Central Oregon musicians presents an evening of “Mostly Low” flute and piano music.  The program features the smooth, sultry voices of the alto and bass flutes (with some “regular flute” thrown in).  This unique performance is not to be missed! Works range from contemporary to jazz to popular. The trio will premiere a work by Central Oregon composer and flutist Mikaela Storm, in addition to Gary Ruppert’s arrangements of music by Chick Corea and Karl Suessdorf.  Program Highlights Ian Clarke’s “Maya” is a dreamy piece contrasting haunting melodies with challenging technical passages.  Carolyn Morris’s “Forest Over Sea”, inspired by the nature of Victoria, Australia where lush forests overlook crystal clear ocean waters, features alto and bass flute, and evokes images of peaceful woodlands, soaring birds, and frolicing dolphins. “Evening Star” by Mikaela Storm is a beautiful and intriguing tribute to the planet Venus.  Gary Ruppert puts his own spin on Bob James’ alto flute and piano arrangement of “Moonlight in Vermont”, a Karl Suessdorf song made famous by Frank Sinatra.  Gary’s arrangement of Chick Corea’s “Crystal Silence” for two altos and piano is wistful and stirring.  Tim Hagen’s “Nocturne Lullaby” for alto flute and piano is a meditation on the folk tune “Danny Boy” written in memory of his mother, and Jennifer Stevenson’s “I Prayed for No Rain” is another lullaby beautifully adapted for alto flute duet.  Finally, “Au-Dela du Temps” by Yuko Uebayashi explores temporality and different types of light, with plaintive introspection and, ultimately, exuberant joy.  Musicians  Lisa Hakesley, Gary Ruppert, and Ryan Zwahlen perform in numerous groups in Central Oregon and beyond, including the Central Oregon Symphony, the Cascade Winds Symphonic Band, the Bend Pops Orchestra, and are participants and soloists with many area chamber orchestras and ensembles.

HDCM Celebrity Recitals and Master Class Feature Peter Wiley 18th Season Continues with Renowned Artists High Desert Chamber Music’s 18th season continues with HDCM Celebrity Recitals featuring acclaimed cellist Peter Wiley and pianist Anna Polonsky, presented by Pahlisch Homes. This highly anticipated concert takes place on Friday, May 15 at 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The program includes Beethoven’s Variations on The Magic Flute, Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata, and Rachmaninoff’s Sonata in G minor, Op. 19.  Peter Wiley, an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and two-time Grammy Award nominee, performed for 12 years with the renowned Beaux Arts Trio and later with the Guarneri String Quartet until its disbandment. While in Bend, Wiley will also lead a Cello Master Class on Saturday, May 16 from 9:30–11:30 am at First Presbyterian Church (Heritage Hall). This event is free and open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to experience his artistry in an educational setting. He will also be featured at HDCM’s “Music & Friends” fundraiser, performing with Executive Director Isabelle Senger 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. Title sponsorship provided by Pahlisch Homes, Newberry Hotel, Cascade A&E, Central Oregon Daily, and Combined Communications. 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! Further information: General Admission - $65, Child/Student Tickets $15 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon – 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd. Bend, OR 97703 First Presbyterian Church (Heritage Hall) – 230 NE 9th St. Bend, OR 97701 Contact: 541.306.3988 / info@HighDesertChamberMusic.com / 961 NW Brooks St. (Downtown Bend)

Redmond Community Choir Presents: Americana!   On May 17th the Redmond Community Choir presents “Americana - Celebrating our Musical Roots”. From Stephen Foster to Stephen Stills, you will hear timeless songs ranging from the early 1800’s to the music of today. The concert will be held at 4 PM at the Redmond High School auditorium. Admission is free to the public, and donations are appreciated. The Redmond Community Choir is a partnership program with COCC Community Education, and is a non-profit organization. Click For More Information

Sing the POPS – A Patriotic Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary!   The Cascade Chorale, the Central Oregon community choir, invites the community to experience Sing the POPS, a vibrant and uplifting concert celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Under the direction of acclaimed conductor James W. Knox, this special program will take audiences on a musical journey through beloved American classics and patriotic favorites. Sing the POPS will feature a dynamic selection of choral arrangements that highlight the spirit, history, and diversity of American music. From timeless patriotic anthems to lively popular favorites, the program promises an engaging and memorable experience for audiences of all ages. The Cascade Chorale is one of Central Oregon’s premier choral ensembles, known for its artistic excellence and commitment to bringing high-quality choral music to the region. Comprised of talented volunteer singers from across the community, the Chorale has built a strong reputation for inspiring performances that both entertain and uplift. Under the leadership of James W. Knox, the ensemble continues to expand its repertoire and deepen its impact, connecting audiences through the power of music. The concert is free to the public with a suggested $20 donation at the door. Concert Details: Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m.  Saturday, May 17, at 3 p.m.  First Presbyterian Church, 230 NE 9th Street, Bend, OR 97701 For more information, please contact: Marilyn Elliott, Cascade Chorale Association 541-550-0010, cascadechorale@gmail.com, cascadechorale.org

Get your Tickets: The Medium and Die Fledermaus! OperaBend is thrilled to announce the final two productions of its 2025–26 season, showcasing a striking contrast of operatic storytelling, from haunting psychological drama to effervescent comedy. OperaBend is proud to host Ping & Woof Opera’s chillingly intimate production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Medium—a gripping psychological thriller filled with eerie beauty and emotional depth. This powerful work explores themes of deception, guilt, and the supernatural, drawing audiences into an unsettling and unforgettable experience. Performances will take place at Wille Hall on the COCC Campus: Saturday, May 23rd at 7:00 PM Sunday, May 24th at 3:00 PM Admission is Donation-Based. Reserve your seat at: https://www.operabend.org/the-medium  To conclude the season, OperaBend invites audiences to a dazzling MainStage Finale: Johann Strauss Jr.’s beloved operetta, Die Fledermaus. Bursting with champagne-soaked comedy, mistaken identities, and lilting waltzes, this timeless masterpiece promises an evening of laughter, elegance, and musical brilliance.  Performances will take place at Mountain View High School: 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!

Bend Pops Orchestra: Two Evenings of Masterclasses! Featuring: Guest composer, Dr. Jennifer Stevenson Composition & Arrangement June 2, 2026, 6:30 - 8:30PM COCC Barber Library, West Reading Room Ever wondered how composers shape musical ideas into full pieces? Curious about how arrangements are crafted for different ensembles? Join this interactive experience designed for musicians of all experience levels. 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. Both events are 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

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.)

Raise the Baton! Save the Date!  Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 5 PM Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend Raise the Baton is Sunriver Music Festival's premier fundraising party of the year! This lively event raises vital funds for Young Artists Scholarships and the Festival's world-class concerts. Hosted by Maestro Brett Mitchell, the event features performances by advanced Young Artists Scholarship recipients.   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.

Come Say Hello!   April 10 - May 3, 2026 Touring Central Oregon Yes, yours truly is getting back on stage! Come say hello at a performance of Into The Breeches, presented by Ellipse Theatre Community.  Don't worry if you think you can't handle Shakespeare, because there is very little actual Shakespeare involved. Just a lot of fun and determination set in 1942 Rhode Island. Cheers! Barb Tickets Here!

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.

SUNRIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL NEWS!     May 1 - Young Artists Scholarship Applications Due Throughout its 30-year history, Sunriver Music Festival’s Young Artists Scholarship program has awarded almost $750,000 in scholarships to exceptional young classical music students from throughout Central Oregon. Advanced students age 11-24 visit sunrivermusic.org/young-artists-scholarships today for information and to apply. For the rest of us, plan to attend the free Young Artists Scholarship Recital on June 5 in Sunriver to be inspired by the future of music. July 18 - Raise the Baton Fundraising Party Raise the Baton is the Festival’s premier fundraiser of the year and is hosted by Maestro Brett Mitchell! At this lively event, vital funds are raised for the Young Artists Scholarships and Sunriver Music Festival’s world-class concerts. Held at the beautiful Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend, tickets on sale April 1 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.

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