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 and conductor of both the Kansas City Opera and the Kansas City Philharmonic. Fortunately for local residents, Mr. Patterson has maintained a summer home in the area, and as his Kansas City commitments were winding down -- he still serves as conductor emeritus of the opera, but limits his performances there to once a year -- it was only natural that he create a new festival in his "retirement." 

 As conductor for more than 40 years in Kansas City, Mr. Patterson of course engaged many performers both as soloists and as orchestra members. Those contacts have served him well at the Buzzards Bay MusicFest. 

 "Most of the artists who perform with us are principal players at major symphonies," Mr. Patterson says. "I worked in Kansas City for so long, and guest-conducted in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and San Francisco, so I've made lots of good contacts. And these players truly enjoy coming to Marion and participating in the festival. It's really a love affair with the community, and Marion is a special environment." 

 Visiting players actually stay with Marion residents while they are here, which furthers the bond between performers and residents. "For the players," Mr. Patterson says, "it's not just a chance to perform. They also get to spend time with their host families, either sailing, enjoying the beach or just socializing." 

 But of course there is the music. This summer festival is unusual in that it programs both orchestral and chamber music. 

 "The players contribute a lot to that," Mr. Patterson says. "We like to open and close with orchestra concerts, and put chamber music in the middle. And since we take our soloists from the orchestra, rather than bring them in from outside, everyone is pretty busy during the week." 

 Former president Trudy Kingery was one of the founders of the festival, and appreciates the tight bond that has grown between performers and host families through the years. 

 "At first we didn't even know if people would even come to the concerts," she says. "But it was a success right from the beginning. We have a good product, and people are willing to donate to that product and keep it going. And Russell knows how to choose good music -- he never dumbs it down for audiences, and I think they recognize that." 

 Mr. Patterson is particularly proud at the range of music presented through the years. "We don't do that much Romantic music, but with a chamber orchestra we're perfectly suited for the lighter Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn and Bizet. More importantly, we haven't repeated a single work the entire time," he says, "and we're not going to next year, since I've already planned out our 10th anniversary season as well." 

 After the traditional open rehearsal for children Wednesday afternoon, this year's festival opens that evening with a program that includes a Haydn Sinfonia Concertante, Mozart's Symphony No. 40, and a special appearance by the Sippican Chorale Society, making its festival debut -- and celebrating its own 40th anniversary -- with a performance of Brahms' "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling." The choral society also performs on Thursday evening's chamber program, singing Brahms as well, his songs for women's chorus, horns and harp. That concert also includes the Beethoven trio for two oboes and English horn, a Dohnanyi trio serenade, and a contemporary work by Arthur Foote for flute and string quartet. 

 The festival continues Saturday with chamber music from Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Madeleine Dring, and concludes Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. with orchestral music, including Bach's first Brandenburg concerto and the Prokofiev Classical Symphony. 

 Concerts are free, but lines form early for the best seats. For more information about Buzzards Bay MusicFest, call (508) 748-0061 or visit www.buzzardsbaymusicfest. com. 

 Former MusicFest President Trudy Kingery 

This story appeared on Page C3 of The Standard-Times on July 10, 2005.