SongFest

SongFest SongFest at Colburn is the premier music festival and training program dedicated to song in the United States. SongFest is the United States' premier art song festival and training program held each summer at the Colburn School in Los Angeles.
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SongFest attracts an international roster of leading recital artists and pedagogues as well as students from some of the nation’s top music conservatories. Audiences enjoy a vibrant concert series presented in Colburn's state-of-the-art venues that is entirely free to the public, and auditors can attend daily masterclasses and lectures led by the most exciting artists of today. In partnership with the Sorel Organization, SongFest has made a substantial contribution to the art song repertoire through its commissioning program that has produced new works for voice and piano by such distinguished composers as William Bolcom, Gabriela Lena Frank, John Harbison, Jennifer Higdon, and Libby Larsen. A limited number of need and merit based scholarship opportunities are available, and eight full scholarships for both singers and collaborative pianists are graciously provided by the Marc and Eva Stern Foundation. SongFest Alumni feature prominently on the rosters of many opera companies, Young Artist programs, and university faculties. Rosemary Hyler Ritter, Artistic Director
Matthew Morris & Liza Stepanova, Associate Artistic Directors

SongFest attracts an international roster of leading recital artists and pedagogues as well as students from some of the nation’s top music conservatories. Audiences enjoy a vibrant concert series presented in Colburn's state-of-the-art venues that is entirely free to the public, and auditors can attend daily masterclasses and lectures led by the most exciting artists of today. In partnership with the Sorel Organization, SongFest has made a substantial contribution to the art song repertoire through its commissioning program that has produced new works for voice and piano by such distinguished composers as William Bolcom, Gabriela Lena Frank, John Harbison, Jennifer Higdon, and Libby Larsen. A limited number of need and merit based scholarship opportunities are available, and eight full scholarships for both singers and collaborative pianists are graciously provided by the Marc and Eva Stern Foundation. SongFest Alumni feature prominently on the rosters of many opera companies, Young Artist programs, and university faculties. Rosemary Hyler Ritter, Artistic Director
Matthew Morris & Liza Stepanova, Associate Artistic Directors

Operating as usual

05/05/2021
04/28/2021
Shadow Memory by James Primosch

A bright light has gone out and our SongFest family is heartbroken by news of the loss of generous colleague and friend, composer Jim Primosch.

In 2015, we commissioned Jim to write a song in memory of Marcia Brown. With love we share his haunting song, "Shadow Memory" with text by Susan Orlean, and send our deepest condolences to everyone mourning this deep loss.

"So this is what's left behind, these things that end up as our real inheritance -- the flotsam and jetsam of life, the stuff that drifts into our hands and into history, the chance impression, the little shadow each of us casts, the fragile thing someone carefully catalogues and cares for and then forgets or maybe doesn't, the image of an image that conjures a memory that is either real or imagined -- these are here, plucked and pressed between the pages, so they will stay fresh forever, or forever slip away." Susan Orlean

02/06/2021
SongFest

songfest.us/sf25

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This stream includes the next two events in our project:

EUROPE
On Writing Songs

Download our program book for this event on our website! https://www.songfest.us/sf25 😍

More events all through the day!

02/01/2021

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This is the final stream in our series. We will be putting all of Songs of Unity & Hope up on our website soon!

THE AMERICAS

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This stream is a big one! Containing:

ASIA
The Next Generation of Song
OCEANIA
The SongFest Experience

One final stream for The Americas will air around 11 p.m. EST.

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This stream is a big one! Containing:

ASIA
The Next Generation of Song
OCEANIA
The SongFest Experience

One final stream for The Americas will air around 11 p.m. EST.

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This stream contains:

Panel Discussion: Today's Art Song Organizations

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This stream contains:

Panel Discussion: Today's Art Song Organizations

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This third stream contains:

AFRICA

We’re back with songs and poems from Africa at 4:20 est. Watch live here or on our YouTube channel!All facebook live str...
01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

We’re back with songs and poems from Africa at 4:20 est. Watch live here or on our YouTube channel!

All facebook live streams: https://www.facebook.com/songfestus/live/

Specific fb stream: https://www.facebook.com/songfestus/posts/3866904690028590

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJbrxu5KyE0&feature=youtu.be

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day th...

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This third stream contains:

AFRICA

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This stream includes the next two events in our project:

EUROPE
On Writing Songs

Download our program book for this event on our website! https://www.songfest.us/sf25 😍

More events all through the day!

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This stream includes the next two events in our project:

EUROPE
On Writing Songs

Download our program book for this event on our website! https://www.songfest.us/sf25 😍

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.
Schedule:
This stream includes the first two events of today's program:

The First 25 Years
The Importance of Song in Today's World

01/31/2021
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

Songs of Unity and Hope is a celebration of the human spirit expressed through the artistry of over 200 musicians and poets. Join us as we journey all day through this global ‘SongFest’ celebrating our 25th Anniversary with poetry, discussion, and song from around the world. Launched on Schubert’s birthday and in celebration of 25 years of SongFest, this is our gift to all of the students, alumni, faculty members, audience members, and song-lovers who have been part of our family for so long. Our celebration will be an all-day event, a curated musical journey shared on our website and social media, beginning at 10 a.m. EST and lasting into the evening. Our message is one of unity and hope, born of a desire to illuminate what keeps us inspired through troubled times.

This stream includes the first two events of today's program:

The First 25 Years
The Importance of Song in Today's World

More coming throughout the day!
Access the program here or on our website:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53af4094e4b07a4f0117fba0/t/6016c63b6a9e44621a2026e0/1612105282282/SongFest+25th+Anniversary+Celebration+-+Songs+of+Unity+%26+Hope+Program.pdf

In just about one hour Songs of Unity & Hope begins! We start the day off with a welcome from Artistic Director Rosemary...
01/31/2021

In just about one hour Songs of Unity & Hope begins! We start the day off with a welcome from Artistic Director Rosemary Ritter as she takes us through highlights of the last 25 years! Check out the schedule of events. We are so excited for this marathon!!

Tune in to SongFest’s Songs of Unity & Hope at 10:00 am EST! You can watch it here, on our website or tune into our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/j-ErPGm8k4A

In addition to performances of music & poetry, SongFest’s Songs of Unity & Hope project includes 5 panel discussions. Tu...
01/30/2021

In addition to performances of music & poetry, SongFest’s Songs of Unity & Hope project includes 5 panel discussions. Tune in TOMORROW at 10:00 EST!! https://www.songfest.us/sf25

Join these five international performers, and experienced administrators as they speak on topics ranging from audience engagement to beginning an art song organization from scratch.

Stephanie Blythe, mezzo soprano and Artistic Director of Fall Island Vocal Arts Festival, Sholto Kynoch, pianist and Artistic Director of the Oxford Lieder Festival, Kevin Murphy, pianist and Director of the Program for Singers at Ravinia's Steans Music Institute, Alan Smith, pianist, Music Director of Fall Island Vocal Arts Festival, and Coordinator of piano and vocal studies at Tanglewood, and Dawn Upshaw, soprano and Head of Vocal Arts Program at Tanglewood.

This talk is moderated by soprano and Sparks & Wiry Cries Co-Founder Martha Guth.

SongFest’s project “Songs of Unity & Hope” includes artistic contributions from almost 200 alumni, faculty and friends! ...
01/29/2021

SongFest’s project “Songs of Unity & Hope” includes artistic contributions from almost 200 alumni, faculty and friends! Catch these performances and MANY more this SUNDAY, January 31st! Tune in at 10:00am EST as we launch our global songfest: https://www.songfest.us/sf25

We can’t wait for performances! Baritone Harrison Hintzsche and pianist Mary Trotter offer a song from Sweden by Stenhammar with text recitation by baritone Max Rydqvist. Soprano Irina Medvedeva reads a poem by Tyutchev, set to music by Rachmaninov, and performed by soprano Laura Dixon Strickling and pianist Liza Stepanova. Also, a touching performance of a Greek song by Mikis Theodorakis (arr. by N. Desby) with soprano Michele Patzakis, Theodosia Roussos, soprano & oboe and pianist Athena Tsianos.

Don't Miss this: Tune in Sunday, January 31 for this MARATHON of music, discussion and much more GO TO: songfest.us/sf2...
01/28/2021

Don't Miss this: Tune in Sunday, January 31 for this MARATHON of music, discussion and much more GO TO:

songfest.us/sf25

In addition to performances of music & poetry, SongFest’s Songs of Unity & Hope project includes 5 panel discussions. https://www.songfest.us/sf25

Moderated by mezzo soprano Rachel Wood, join Khori Dastoor, soprano and General Director of Opera San Jose, poet Tsitsi Ella Jaji pianist and Founding Artistic Director of Cincinnati Song Initiative Samuel Martin, composer Shawn E. Okpebholo, mezzo soprano and Founding Artistic Co-Director of Source Song Festival Clara PresserClara Osowski, and pianist Erika Switzer, Co-Founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries as they talk about various collaborations, hopes and visions for the future of art song.

SongFest’s project “Songs of Unity & Hope” includes artistic contributions from almost 200 alumni, faculty and friends! Catch these performances and MANY more on January 31st! Tune in at 10:00am EST as we launch our global songfest: https://www.songfest.us/sf25

In addition to performances of music & poetry, SongFest’s Songs of Unity & Hope project includes 5 panel discussions. ht...
01/28/2021

In addition to performances of music & poetry, SongFest’s Songs of Unity & Hope project includes 5 panel discussions. https://www.songfest.us/sf25

Moderated by mezzo soprano Rachel Wood, join Khori Dastoor, soprano and General Director of Opera San Jose, poet Tsitsi Ella Jaji pianist and Founding Artistic Director of Cincinnati Song Initiative Samuel Martin, composer Shawn E. Okpebholo, mezzo soprano and Founding Artistic Co-Director of Source Song Festival Clara PresserClara Osowski, and pianist Erika Switzer, Co-Founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries as they talk about various collaborations, hopes and visions for the future of art song.

SongFest’s project “Songs of Unity & Hope” includes artistic contributions from almost 200 alumni, faculty and friends! Catch these performances and MANY more on January 31st! Tune in at 10:00am EST as we launch our global songfest: https://www.songfest.us/sf25

Address

The Colburn School, 200 South Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA
90012

General information

Follow us on twitter @SongFestUS and instagram @songfestus!

Telephone

(213) 621-4720

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SongFest posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Videos

Shadow Memory by James Primosch
Shadow Memory by James Primosch

SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope
SongFest 25 Anniversary Celebration - Songs of Unity & Hope

SongFest Teaser
SongFest Teaser

SongFest 2020 Online begins this Tuesday! It's not too late to sign up! www.songfest.us/songfestonline There's nothing like a few months of forced solitude to awaken skills you never knew you had. We are so excited to show off Javier Arrebola's newly found video editing talents in this promotional masterpiece he created from mixing photos from past years with sneak-preview screenshots from our 2020 virtual sessions!!

SongFest 2017: Bach - "Komm, du süße Todesstunde"
SongFest 2017: Bach - "Komm, du süße Todesstunde"

Some yummy listening on this Tuesday evening! This comes from the SongFest 2017 Sacred Cantatas of J.S. Bach concert on June 11, 2017. The one and only John Harbison is conducting, and the fantastic Allison Gish is the mezzo-soprano soloist. "Komm, du süße Todesstunde" from BWV 161.

songfest
songfest

SongFest Alumni Concert, Dec 8 in NYC
SongFest Alumni Concert, Dec 8 in NYC

SongFest Alumni Concert: NYC, Dec 8, 2017 Anne Wright singing Heggie"'s I shall not lIve in Vain

Heggie-Edna St. Vincent Millay
Heggie-Edna St. Vincent Millay

Hello - all you fans of JAKE HEGGIE!!! Jake will be the distinguished composer at SongFest 2019. AT Colburn. There will be a special concert on June 2 , 2018 with SongFest singers + pianists. www.songfest.us LIve auditions start next week ENJOY this video with SF 17 alums, Simone McIntosh and Leona Cheung APPLY: https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/songfest-2019/songfest-submissions

New American Song - SongFest 2017 Concert Series
New American Song - SongFest 2017 Concert Series

A Celebration of California Composers - SongFest 2017
A Celebration of California Composers - SongFest 2017

A Celebration of California Composers from SongFest 2017 Concert Series.

Tune in LIVE to the incredible Martin Katz giving a class on arias this morning!! With SongFest participant singers and our wonderful coach Mark Trawka (Pittsburgh Opera) at the piano.

A bit of Bach for you from today's rehearsal of BWV 161. It has been so wonderful to have John Harbison with us this week!

SongFest Promotional Video featuring feedback from faculty
SongFest Promotional Video featuring feedback from faculty

SongFest Promotional Video featuring feedback from participants
SongFest Promotional Video featuring feedback from participants

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Comments

I will be speaking with Jake Heggie tomorrow to see how many arias or songs he would like to try out in our 4D Piano system. Please forward to anyone who is working on his repertoire, and ask him/her to comment at our page the name of the piece. I'll take the list and present to him in 24 hours. Thanks! 4D Piano: www.findbach.com
Thank you for making quarantine a wonderful thing! I am loving the lectures!
We at SongFest are so honored to have these artists join us in a very special video on June 17. It will be posted on SongFest Facbook page SongFesters!!! Pretty please😀😀 share this post with your friends!!! QUESTIONS: [email protected]
SongFes Online starts tomorrow! Here is a "lighthearted video" to get you in the mood! You can still register: https://www.songfest.us/songfestonline
Starting tomorrow! Check out the amazing line-up of events at www.songfest.us!
Starting tomorrow!! Check out the amazing line-up of events at www.songfest.us!
It's coming... first day May 26! https://www.songfest.us/songfestonline Over 35 lecture, conversations, music! with SongFest faculty and guests (incl Joyce Di Donato
Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!!!
Applications now being accepted for SongFest 2019!
We are thrilled! to have Reena Esmail as the Sorel SongFest 2019 composer! Mark your calendars: concert is June 21, 7:30pm, Zipper Hall, The Colburn School, Los Angeles, CA