2024 Concerts
Concerts will be held in beautiful Bridges Hall of Music and Lyman Hall and will be performed by SongFest participants, faculty, and guest artists.
++Livestream available for certain concerts. FREE Admission for all events. Donations are welcome.
All classes will take place at the Thatcher Music Building on the campus of Pomona College in Claremont, California.
Auditors are welcome to attend selected master classes and are encouraged to make a contribution.
For further questions or information email: songfest24.office@gmail.com
HOMECOMING
Saturday, June 1 • 7:30 p.m. • Lyman Hall
SongFest’s opening recital performed by soprano Martha Guth and pianist Javier Arrebola. A musical journey across time and space imbued with the longing to return home ever on the horizon.
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THE 2024 ART SONG PRIZE XXI
Friday, June 7 • 7:30 p.m. • Lyman Hall
Featuring the winners of the Art Song prize: Cara Bender/Leona Cheung, and Kyrsten Chambers-Jones/Cynthia Liu in an innovative program devised by pianist and scholar Graham Johnson.
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THE BROWN LORANGER FELLOWS IN RECITAL
Monday, June 10 • 1:30 p.m. • Lyman Hall
In loving recognition of Marcia Brown and Janet Loranger for their longstanding support and love of SongFest, a recital honoring their legacy with faculty Lydia Brown, piano.
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SONGMAKERS’ ALMANAC: 50 years of song
Tuesday, June 11• 7:30 p.m. • Bridges Hall of Music
SongFest singers and pianists will be selected to perform in a recital devised and narrated by Graham Johnson. This concert will be the culmination of his SongFest residency this summer.
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THE AMERICAN SONG PRIZE XXI RECITAL
Wednesday, June 12 • 7:30 p.m. • Lyman Hall
Winners of the American prize: Hayun Lee/Mizi Li; Yuxin Liu/Hannah Baker and Michaela Kelly/Amelia Hammond perform in a unique format curated by Martha Guth.
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A LECTURE BY JOHN HARBISON
Louise Glück in memoriam
Thursday, June 13 • 1:30-3 p.m. • Lyman Hall
Lecture–discussion–conversation about Louise and setting her words with live performances of recent cycles: Crossroads, Winter Journey and In the Early Evening.
“This often neglected genre of voice and piano song will provide the singers and pianists with a rich view of this world which will nourish them for their entire lives.”
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SONGFEST CELEBRATES AMERICAN SONG
Friday, June 14 • 7 p.m. • Lyman Hall
A bouquet of contemporary works featuring the songs of award-winning faculty composers: John Harbison, Jake Heggie, Libby Larsen and John Musto.
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THE SACRED CANTATAS OF J.S. BACH
Saturday, June 15 • 7:30 p.m. • Bridges Hall of Music
John Harbison, director • Cantatas BWV 161 and 163
Performers include alumni Sarah Davis and Abigail Levis, guest Daniel McGrew and Evgeny Tonhka, cello. Faculty Grant Knox and Liza Stepanova with Baroque Chamber ensemble.
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CELEBRATING JOHN HARBISON++
Sunday, June 16 • 3 p.m. • Bridges Hall of Music
A recital honoring John Harbison with performances of the composer’s most recent song cycles. Songs of Separation, Of Mere Being and The Rewaking performed by alumni Victoria Browers, Abigail Levis, Tomasz Lis, Daniel McGrew, Clara Osowski and faculty Lydia Brown and Liza Stepanova.
World premiere Hidden Paths texts by Robert Frost performers Kendra Lund and Mia Rolland.
*Reception to Follow
THE SINGING PLANET
Monday, June 17 • 10 a.m. • Lyman Hall
Lecture/discussion and live performances on songs of nature, climate and the environment with Liza Stepanova and Gabriela Lena Frank in collaboration with The Creative Arts Academy.
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SCHUBERT YOUNG ARTIST & STUDIO FELLOWS IN RECITAL
Wednesday, June 19 • 1 p.m. • Lyman Hall
These outstanding fellows will perform a variety of art song repertoire with faculty pianist Liza Stepanova.
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PARIS, BERLIN, AND NEW YORK CABARET
Wednesday, June 19 • 7:30 p.m. • Bridges Hall of Music
SongFest singers in performance. From Kurt Weill to Cole Porter, the singer will take you around the world narrated by Amy Burton with musical arrangements by John Musto.
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YOUNG ARTIST AND STUDIO SINGERS IN RECITAL
Thursday, June 20 • 1 p.m. • Lyman Hall
Come support the Young Artist and Studio singers as they demonstrate their artistic development in a culminating recital.
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A NIGHT AT THE OPERA++
Thursday, June 20 • 7:30 p.m. • Bridges Hall of Music
Highlighting the 2024 Studio artist singers in favorite opera scenes in English with Grant Knox, stage director, Brent McMunn, musical director and Elena Minko, piano.
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CELEBRATING LEONARD BERNSTEIN – “CITIZEN ARTIST”
with Jamie Bernstein*++
Friday, June 21 • 7 p.m. • Bridges Hall of Music
Join us with one of the “Greats” Leonard Bernstein, conductor, composer, educator in a sendoff concert which includes songs and some of the beloved ensembles from Candide, West Side Story, and others. Two piano arrangements by John Musto with narration by Jamie Bernstein and Brent McMunn, conductor.
*Lecture and Q&A with daughter Jamie Bernstein
Tuesday, June 18 • 10 a.m. • Lyman Hall
“The point is, art never stopped a war and never got anybody a job. That was never its function. Art cannot change events. But it can change people. It can affect people so that they are changed...because people are changed by art.”
“Life without music is unthinkable, music without life is academic. That is why my contact with music is a total embrace.”
SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST:
Lucas Meacham
In residence June 3-7
1:30-3:30 p.m. • Lyman Hall
Renowned baritone Lucas Meacham will teach master classes. Open to all.
For details, email songfest24_office@gmail.com
Program subject to change.
+The Brown Loranger Noon Concert Series dedicated to the memory of Marcia Brown and Janet Loranger.
Their generosity and love of SongFest have allowed the program to continue.