Behind the Score: Jos van Veldhoven Reveals Approach to Completing Mozart’s Mass in C Minor

Conducted by Jos van Veldhoven, the powerful “Great” Mass in C Minor offers Mozart at the height of his brilliance. A work of mysterious origins, the music is a layered, shimmering tapestry. Moods shift constantly, sometimes dazzling, sometimes movingly somber. Left unfinished at Mozart’s death, the mass is lovingly and studiously reimagined by OBF artistic …

A Decade of Musical Enrichment: Organ Institute Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Since 1970, Oregon Bach Festival has remained committed to being a place for professional education at the highest level. When OBF established the Organ Institute (OI) a decade ago, the festival further solidified its reputation as an unrivaled music education mecca.   Directed by GRAMMY Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs, OI offers musicians the opportunity to immerse …

John Butt’s Discovery Concert: Exploring Music of the Dresden Court

John Butt conducts Bach’s Magnificat at OBF, 2019 Legendary conductor John Butt returns to Oregon Bach Festival with a spin on the iconic Festival Discovery Series! During his July 2 concert, “Music of the Dresden Court,” he delves deep into the very essence of four compositions, providing context and personal insights before conducting the program.  …

Where’s the Bach?

Where’s the Bach at the Bach Festival this year? You asked, and we’ve got an answer! OBF 2024 features 20 Bach works in 17 days! Bach: Ascension Oratorio, June 28, Beall Concert Hall Conducted by John Butt Opening Night! BACH: Cantata, BWV 21  BACH: Cantata, BWV 11, “Ascension Oratorio”  This program will also be performed at Mount …

$75,000 grant brings grandiose projects to Oregon Bach Festival

Thanks to the support of a generous $75,000 grant, Oregon Bach Festival (OBF) has enriched its 2024 season with two extraordinary concerts guaranteed to leave audiences in awe. OBF, with University of Oregon Advancement, applied for the grant funds provided by the Oregon Community Foundation Hult Endowment.  The Planets – An HD Odyssey  Courtesy of …

Oregon Bach Festival remembers Lilah Stangeland

Lilah M. Stangeland (1930-2024) Lilah M. Stangeland, namesake of OBF’s acclaimed Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy (SFYCA), died peacefully surrounded by family at her home in San Marino, California on January 3rd, 2024. She was 93 years old.   Mrs. Stangeland led a life of service and was long active in civic and community affairs. She …

A Musical Dream Comes True

SFYCA alum, Maddie Smoot (2017-2018) shares her musical journey and how SFYCA had such an impact on her desire to become a vocal music educator Maddie Smoot grew up in Longmont, Colorado and attended her first season with SFYCA in 2017 as a junior in high school. Like many others before her, she was immediately …

The Barton Brothers bring Classic Showtunes to Colorado Audiences

SFYCA alum, Jack Barton (’10, ’11) along with his brother Dan share their joys of working together and how SFYCA helped shaped his path to success Classically trained pianists and self-proclaimed childhood choir nerds, brothers Dan and Jack grew up sharing stereos, piano teachers, and bunk beds. Growing up in Fort Collins, Colorado they developed …

Finding Success Through Balance

SFYCA alum, Nicholas Meyer (’04, ’05, ’06) shares the importance of staying positive, maintaining a good attitude, and having fun – in music and in life! SFYCA alum Nicholas Meyer (’04, ’05, ’06) is an in-demand baritone, artistic co-director of Opera Theater Oregon, and teacher of a flourishing voice and piano studio of 40+ students …