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Reviews From The Past Twelve Years
Chamber concert delights Musicfest audience
By Joanna McQuillan Weeks
Assistant features editor
July 12, 2008 6:00 AM
Who needs Tanglewood?
While that might be a bit of hyperbole, it's easy to forgo the drive to Lenox when music lovers can hear concerts as fine as that offered Thursday evening in Marion as part of the 12th annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest — all for free, thanks to the support of many benefactors.
Artistic director Russell Patterson is back for another season with his largest ever orchestra, its 37 members comprising nationally and internationally known artists from near (flutist Wendy Rolfe of Marion) and far (violinist…
For Buzzards Bay Musicfest, there are no repeat performances
Janna Lower, Violin
By Chris Reagle
Wicked Local Rochester
Fri Jul 18, 2008, 01:01 PM EDT
Marion, MA - The Buzzards Bay Musicfest ended its week-long offerings of classical orchestra and chamber music Sunday in Tabor Academy’s Firemen Center for the Performing Arts with the auspicious accomplishment of having never played the small piece in all of the music fest’s 12 years.
During that time, 100 different works in a variety of styles and ensembles ranging from duos to full orchestra repertoire have been presented, according to Buzzards Bay Musicfest Maestro Russell Patterson, who’s been music director for all…
Tuning up for Opus 11: Buzzards Bay Musicfest begins Wednesday in Marion
Photo by Caryn Koffman
Standard-Times correspondent
July 08, 2007 6:00 AM
The Buzzards Bay Musicfest begins its 11th season this Wednesday, and organizers are still surprised at the popularity of the concerts, which are held at the Fireman Center for the Performing Arts at Tabor Academy in Marion.
"It was a success from day one," says board chair Trudy Kingery. "You can't believe how surprised we were to walk into that first concert and see all those people.
"But we have a lot of visitors here in the summer, and many people who love classical music."
The festival is supported almost entirely by…
Buzzards Bay MusicFest returns Wednesday for another season
By Keith Powers, correspondent
The Standard-Times on July 10, 2005
The Buzzards Bay MusicFest, under the direction of Russell Patterson, returns this week to the Fireman Center for the Performing Arts at Tabor Academy for the ninth summer in a row. Classical music fans will once again be able to descend upon the Marion auditorium for a series of free orchestral and chamber concerts beginning Wednesday evening and continuing through Sunday.
Founded by Maestro Patterson and a group of devoted Marion residents, the Buzzards Bay MusicFest capitalizes on his longtime presence as the founder…
Buzzards Bay Musicfest set to launch 8th season
The Buzzards Bay Musicfest Orchestra, with Maestro and Founder Russell Patterson at the left, comprises professional musicians from around the country.
Photo By Caryn Koffman
By Anne Marshall, correspondent
The Standard-Times on July 4, 2004
What's better than a delightful musical performance on a warm summer's night?
Not much. And though some might dish out a pretty penny to see nationally prominent musicians perform by Sippican Harbor, locals can save their money, because the Buzzards Bay Musicfest is sailing back into the area for its eighth admission-free year this summer.
The Buzzards Bay Musicfest will bring orchestral and chamber music performances to the acoustically superb Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy in Marion this year from…
Opening Musicfest concert is delightful
Barbra O'Brien, Flute
By John Atkinson, Standard-Times correspondent
If, to paraphrase an adage someone once wrote, variety is the spice of music, Wednesday night's opening concert of the eagerly awaited 2002 Buzzards Bay Musicfest provided ample proof.
Providing a large audience in the Fireman Center for the Performing Arts at Tabor Academy with music on the lighter side by Bach (father and son), Sibelius and Haydn, indefatigable Conductor Russell Patterson led his 30-piece orchestra through a very relaxing program. I call the music by these prolific composers "lighter" in comparison to, say, the St. Mark,…
Baton raised for 6th Buzzards Bay Musicfest
By Beth Perdue, Standard-Times correspondent
While Marion may not have a full-scale professional orchestra along the lines of the Boston Symphony, it makes the best of what it does have -- a beautiful seaside setting to attract nationally prominent orchestra musicians to town each summer to perform in the annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest.
The brainchild of Maestro Russell Patterson, formerly of the Kansas City Orchestra and Lyric Opera, the four-day musical series offers orchestral and chamber music programs for all who choose to come hear it. The best part is, Maestro Patterson and…
Musicfest chamber concert delights listeners
Wendy Rolfe, Flute
By John Atkinson, Standard-Times correspondent
July 14, 2001
One might think the intimacy associated with chamber music would be totally lost in a setting like the Fireman Center for the Performing Arts at Tabor Academy in Marion, but nothing could be further from the truth, as evidenced at Thursday night's program that was part of this year's Buzzards Bay Musicfest.
Falling back on the old cliché, you could have heard a pin drop (even on the carpeted floor) during the opening segment of Beethoven's Serenade in D, Opus 25, played ever so delicately by three women: Wendy Rolfe, flutist;…
Free classical concerts begin Wednesday in Marion Musicfest marks fifth season
Trudy Kingery, President
By Lorraine Lucciola, Standard-Times correspondent
July 8, 2001
The Buzzards Bay Musicfest celebrates its fifth annual classical concert series, Wednesday through Sunday evenings, at the Fireman Performing Arts Center in Marion.
As in past years, the event is free of charge. Private donations from individuals in the community have kept the Musicfest afloat from its inception. It all began at a cocktail party in Marion five years ago with talk of creating a classical music event, featuring the talents of locally and nationally prominent musicians.
"A neighbor originally from Kansas City…
Musicfest gets off to a pleasing start
James Rivers, Piano
By John Atkinson, Standard-Times correspondent
Jul 14, 2000 1:28 PM
Deciding on a single word to best describe Wednesday night's Buzzards Bay Musicfest concert in Marion, I'd have to go with "crisp," once, of course, I've passed "delightful," "beautiful," and "relaxing," all of which apply.
The orchestra and piano soloist were as crisp as fresh lettuce in a summer salad in their renditions of selections by Rossini, Mozart and Wagner. The ensemble playing under the guiding hand of Conductor Russell Patterson was some of the best and smoothest of its type to be heard anywhere, and my…
Symphony by the Sippican
Grace Mihi Bahng, Violincelli
By Lisa Chan, Standard-Times correspondent
July 9, 2000 12:32 PM
If you have a penchant for classical music, you are in for a delightful treat this week. The fourth annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest is preparing a striking repertoire of compositions with which to enchant the audience this year. The free-admission musicfest, which includes orchestral and chamber music performances, takes place at Tabor Academy's Fireman Performing Arts Center in Marion Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and next Sunday.
"It's like a love affair of music that happens once a year -- same place, same time. Different…
Violinist returns as music fest's concertmaster
Charles Stegeman, Violin
By Lisa Devlin, Standard-Times correspondent
August 11, 1999 12:29 PM
Charles Stegeman has returned to Marion this week to serve again as concertmaster in the third annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest tonight through Sunday.
The world-renowned violinist will perform in the first of four free concerts tonight at 8 at Tabor Academy's Fireman Performing Arts Center on Front Street. The orchestra concert will feature Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K 467 and Symphony No. 41 in C (Jupiter), K 551.
"It's a real pleasure playing in Marion," said…
Buzzards Bay Musicfest concludes in style
Russell Patterson, Conductor
By Richard Pacheco, Standard-Times correspondent
Jul 12, 1999 12:26 PM
MARION -- The final concert of the third annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest was rich and vibrant, full of finesse and grace, played with fervor and conviction by a talented and vivacious orchestra. Conductor Russell Patterson showed real style and exuberance conducting these fine musicians.
The program opened with Mozart's "Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, K. 364 for Violin, Viola and Orchestra." The orchestra was in superb form, dexterous and apt, full of dazzling skill and subtle sensitivity. The Allegro Maestro was lush and…
Firemen's Musicfest
SouthCoastToday
NewStandard: 6/30/99
MARION -- The third annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest sails into Sippican Harbor in Marion Thursday, July 8 through Sunday, July 11.
The Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy on Front Street in Marion is the site for orchestral performances on Thursday, July 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 11 at 2 p.m. Chamber music concerts will be held Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10, at 8 p.m.
The repertoire includes many favorite compositions by Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky. The nationally prominent musicians are under the direction of maestro…
Musicfest Opens With Delightful Concert
By Richard Pacheco, Standard-Times correspondent
Jul 8, 1998 5:23 PM
The opening concert in the Buzzards Bay Musicfest proved that last year's success was not a fluke, and that this weekend's festival at Tabor Academy in Marion will no doubt uphold the trend.
The festival offers both orchestra and chamber concerts. Thursday night's offering consisted of music for orchestra.
The program opened with Mozart's Divertimento No. 11 in D, K. 251. The work is full of spirit and robust energy. The orchestra of nationally and internationally recognized musicians, under the leadership of Artistic…
Water Music
NewStandard: 7/9/98
Second festival in Marion will be launched tonight
Is this how Tanglewood get started?
Tonight in Marion, the second annual Buzzards Bay Musicfest kicks off four days of top-shelf classical entertainment.
The affair may never rival western Massachusetts' summer-long spectacular, but local music fans are once again in for a treat on the shores of Sippican Harbor.
Some 20, nationally prominent musicians are coming from all points to the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy to take part in chamber and orchestral concerts under the direction of Maestro…
Powerful Concert Kicks Off Weekend Musicfest In Marion
By Richard Pacheco, Standard-Times correspondent
MARION -- It was indeed an auspicious debut, a concert filled with finesse and elegance, played with verve and unyielding power -- the inaugural concert of Buzzards Bay Musicfest, sponsored by the Marion Arts Center and the Musicfest Board of Directors, and held at Tabor Academy's Firestone Performing Arts Center.
The chamber orchestra music concert kicked off the three-day event (the final concert, also chamber orchestra, will be held at 2 p.m. this afternoon at the Firestone Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy).
Russell Patterson,…
Great Music, And Fest Is Free
By Joanna McQuillan Weeks, assistant features editor/columnist
Slice of Lifejweeks@s-t.com
Marion will become a magnet for music lovers this weekend when Maestro Russell Patterson inaugurates the Buzzards Bay Musicfest.
The distinguished conductor, who has led the Kansas City Lyric Opera, the Kansas City Symphony, and the Sunflower Music Festival Orchestra in Topeka, will conduct three concerts at Tabor Academy's Fireman Performing Arts Center, on Front Street. Admission is free.
Maestro Patterson is restructuring his life for retirement, and owns a summer home in Centerville.
"I came to…