Summer Music Festivals!

(posted by: Ruth Butterfield-Winter)

So, it's now time for Summer Music Festivals. If you haven't signed up to participate in one of the many events and festivals around the country and the world, it might be too late. But it's not too late to plan to attend one. All you have to do is type "summer music festival" in your browser's search engine and you'll seen a whole list of possibilities.

What's so great about Summer Music Festivals?

Well, a lot of them offer performances of great internationally known artists who perform with local artists and the concerts are often free. Many of the concerts are staged in nature, complete with wind and rain if the weather decides to join in. Often, the performances are casual, so you get to see the personality of the performers more transparently than if you were to attend a formal performance in a concert hall. Also, you may get to sit very close to the stage, which allows you to see the music, feel the breath, and taste the sweat (not literally, most times) of the performers.

Sound fun so far?

How about attending master classes with the great artists? Have you ever wondered how a great artist thinks? You know what; they think like anyone else. They can translate what they think into action and project their thoughts and feels through their skill and talent to the audience. Going to a master class of a great operatic baritone may give you insights into how you can hone your own skill. Whether it's landscaping, graphic design, computer programming or housekeeping, you may learn how to approach your own profession by using the principles you hear during a master class. It could happen.

What would you say if you could actually read music with an internationally know artist? It would be like playing tennis with Pete Sampras! OK, it probably wouldn't be too much fun for him, but it would be a thrill for me. (stuff to tell my grandkids, or anyone who will listen....)

Usually Summer Music Festivals happen in places that have a lot of other cultural attractions. Going to Aspen, CO for the Music Festival may open your world up to a pottery studio that enhances your outlook on shape & form. You may see a play or eat a kind of cuisine only authentically found in that town. ... exciting stuff ...

Think about it, if you've never been to a Summer Music Festival. If you have, which one is your favorite? Have you ever been lucky (fortunate) enough to share or play with a great musician or artist? If so, tell me about it.