POSTED: Thursday, Jul. 10, 2008
Festival of Music returns to applause
Opening performance ‘phenomenal’
E-Mail
Print
tool name
close
BELLINGHAM — Bruce Clinton knows good music.
He’s heard his fair share as director of the League of American Orchestras and a board member for four symphonies, the Merit School of Music and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. He attends a dozen nationally renowned performances a year and describes a “lifelong, passionate love affair with great music.”
At the July 5 opening night of the Bellingham Festival of Music, he expected a smalltown, mediocre show. But the performance took his breath away.
“It was phenomenal, extraordinary,” he said. “The caliber of the musicians was just unbelievable.”
-
BELLINGHAM FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today, Monday, July 17 and July 20 at Western Washington University’s Concert Hall.
COST: Tickets are $32 or $42, depending on seating. It’s another $50 to attend the Yacht Club concerts at 1 and 5 p.m. July 13. Buy tickets at the WWU Box Office, or by calling 650-6146.
MORE INFO: bellinghamfestival.org.
The 15th annual Festival of Music runs through July 20, returning with five concerts directed by Michael Palmer after a one-year hiatus.
“This is an all-star orchestra,” Palmer said. “You don’t often get the chance to see performances of this level.”
The musicians come from symphonies across the country, including the New World Symphony in Miami and the New York Philharmonic.
The festival wasn’t held last year because of a lack of funds and a short planning period. This year, Palmer said there was more time to gather money and raise donations.
Clinton, a Chicago native, said his family foundation donated to the festival as a favor to a friend, but his low expectations were shattered on opening night.
“I have heard every piece of music that was played multiple times in my life, by some of the top orchestras in the country, maybe the world,” Clinton said. “I’ve never heard it played better.”
Clinton said the interpretation of the pieces and the musicianship were among the most impressive aspects.
Both Clinton and Palmer attribute some of this success to the Bellingham community.
“This is such a remarkable, artistic community,” Palmer said. “The support that comes out of here is amazing, and the musicians love being here.”
Some performers have even retired in Whatcom County.
Palmer said a goal of the festival is to bring national attention to Bellingham as an important arts and music community.
-
Open Positions
SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL -
Metal Tooling Project Manager
Janicki Industries -
Open Positions
The Markets, LLC -
Finance Director
WTA -
Caregivers
The Courtyard
@Nyx.CommentBody@