Written by Britt’s Director of Education and Community Engagement, Rachel Jones Here’s a multiple choice question for you: What do hula hoops and Jackson Pollack paintings have in common? a. Both were featured in MoMA retrospective exhibitionsb. Both were inspiration for songs by the band Radioheadc. Both are tools for teaching jazz

Continue reading Jazz Residency Gets Illinois Valley Kids Moving, Singing and Playing

Each summer the world’s brightest stars and greatest music come together to make the Classical Festival a reality. The participating musicians come to Oregon from all corners of the country to collectively become the Britt Orchestra. They live, eat and breathe the Britt experience each August. These gifted musicians are paired with local Jacksonville families who give them a place to stay and practice for three weeks. Some of the host families are Britt members or Britt Society volunteers, but many are just people who love music and musicians. Often strong friendships develop between the hosts and musicians, and the musicians return each year to the same Jacksonville homes. Britt asked Mikylah McTeer to relate her experience as one of those returning musicians. She warns that others might get jealous of her story, since she feels she has the best host family of all.    

Continue reading The Classical Festival Host/Musician Relationship: Mikylah McTeer