Behind the Scenes: music librarian provides music for the Oregon Bach Festival   

OBF music librarian, Greg Hamilton The average concertgoer has likely never heard of an orchestra librarian or what such a position entails. However, the role is not just important, but crucial to the success of the Oregon Bach Festival (OBF). That is because librarians provide the music audiences will hear – literally.    Since 2013, …

Meet the Conductor: Eric Jacobsen takes the podium for An Alpine Symphony at Oregon Bach Festival 

Photographer Shervin Lainez Dubbed an “interpretive dynamo” by The New York Times, Eric is a cellist and conductor. He graduated from The Juilliard School and is currently the artistic director and co-founder of The Knights, an NYC-based chamber orchestra. He is also the music director of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. …

What the heck is a heckelphone? 

“It’s not the most delicate way to put it, but a heckelphone is basically the love child of an oboe and bassoon,” laughed University of Oregon School of Music and Dance professor, Dr. Steve Vacchi.   According to Steve, the heckelphone is a hybrid between those two instruments in several ways. Its range is exactly between …

OBF Announces “Big Brass and Boom”

RODNEY MARSALIS PHILADELPHIA BIG BRASS HEADLINES CONCERT AND FIREWORKS EVENT The Eugene Emeralds and Oregon Bach Festival (OBF) are proud to announce “Big Brass and Boom” – a partnership between two of the community’s long-standing, favorite summertime activities. The back-to-back Northwest League Champions and the Grammy-winning music festival will offer the unique evening of fun, …

Subject of “Chevalier” Hollywood film to be featured at Oregon Bach Festival 

Portrait of Joseph Bologne  Attribution: Mather Brown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons  The story of composer Joseph Bologne has captured the hearts and minds of producers in Hollywood. On April 21, Searchlight Pictures released “Chevalier.” The historical drama documents the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Sainte-George.   CHEVALIER | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures  Bologne …

Royce Saltzman, 1928-2023

Oregon Bach Festival (OBF) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. H. Royce Saltzman. The OBF co-founder, long-time executive director, and board member died on Monday, April 3rd surrounded by his family. He was 94 years old.  “This is a moment of true heartbreak for our festival, the university, and the entire choral …