By Bridget K. Wood
Reprinted from
The CurrentThe 23rd season of Ok Mozart International Festival runs June 8-16th in Bartlesville, Oklahoma with over 180 events that embrace all aspects of music and the fine arts. Over the past 2 decades Ok Mozart has established a reputation for world-class classical music, and the past few years has seen a growing addition of more diverse artists and events. “We are bringing a fresh look at classical music” says Scott Black, interim director of Ok Mozart. This year’s festival is guaranteed to attract a younger crowd as the roster is full of crossover contemporary artists, a plethora of which are born and bred right here in Oklahoma.
Opening night’s show celebrates the vast career of Jimmy Webb, one of Oklahoma's most prolific songwriters as well as composers. He has won numerous Grammy awards and is responsible for writing multiple Top 10 hits sung by a ecelctic assembly of artists, including “By the time I get to Pheonix" one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century recorded originally by Glen Campbell. Other artists include R.E.M, Art Garfunkle, Donna Summer and The Highwaymen, consisting of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. He is noted for being the only person to receive Grammy Awards in all three categories: music, lyrics and orchestration. Jimmy recently collaborated with fellow Oklahoman Vince Gill to pen the official Centennial Anthem, Oklahoma Rising.
Edgar Meyer, the 2007 composer in residence, is a multiple Grammy winning composer and recording artist. He is well known for breaking the mold of traditional classical music and has mastered multiple styles of music encompassing everything from Bach to Bluegrass. He is a repeat spotlight player at the Telluride Bluegrass festival, as well as being on the forefront of the "Newgrass" movement. Meyer, who is a certified genius by the MacArthur Foundation, frequently records and performs with other outstanding artists, including: Yo-Yo Ma, Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, James Taylor, Hank Williams Jr, Mike Marshall, Alison Krauss, the members of Nickel Creek, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Edgar will be performing his Concerto No. 1 for Bass and Orchestra as well as several concerts in the Chamber Series.
Mason Williams will be teaming up with Byron Berline and his band on Thursday June 14th at 8PM for an exciting show guaranteed to revv you up with Classical Gas. This Oklahoma singer/songwriter, is well known for this 1968 release for which he won two Grammy awards. Mason also was a long time comedy writer for Saturday Night Live and Emmy Award Winner for his work on for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Byron is a three-time national fiddle champion who has recorded with greats such as The Band , The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, , Bob Dylan, John Denver, Elton John, Arlo Guthrie, Mickey Gilley, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many, many more. Come to this show and you are sure to hear why these two have had such long and expansive careers with so many influential artists. Also do not miss the behind the scenes stories from their colorful careers in the FREE Pre-concert talk starting at 6:30 that evening.
One can’t talk about OK Mozart without mentioning the concert at Woolaroc. Nestled in the Osage hills this 3,700 acre wildlife preserve hosts one of the most popular annual concerts of the festival. Elaborate picnics, planned for weeks, are laid out on the grass next to Clyde Lake. Couples are seen dotting the edges of the lake with glasses of wine sitting on blankets and stealing kisses while families tend to move towards the pavilion. All eyes are turned towards the sky at sunset waiting for the grand finale fireworks show set to dramatic classical music selections. This year, in a nod to the Oklahoma Centennial, the selections include pieces from Oklahoma!, Aaron Copeland’s Rodeo, as well as The Cowboys Overture by John Williams. Joel Levine, Music director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will be the guest conductor for this memorable evening. In a tribute to our Okie heritage Dueling Fiddles (a spin on Dueling Banjos) will be performed by world class musicians Eica Keissewetter and Robert Zubrycki.
Some of the most interesting events at OK Mozart might just be the ones that are the least publicized. Take for example, the Art Berry Fiddle Hour. An up close and personal Western Swing Jamboree with one Oklahoma’s most ingenious fiddle players, Thursday 5-6 PM.
Jazz Saturday is the final Saturday of the festival and if you love Jazz this is the day for you. All day from 12 until 6 there are Jazz related events going on. This special day of Jazz features original members of Chet Bakers band along with portions of the GQH Jazz Trio, combined to revisit the music of Oklahoma’s Native Jazz Son. Other noteable Jazz acts that day include BenBen, Jeff Davis' progressive experimental jazz project out of Tulsa. This is an act known for breaking the boundaries of traditional Jazz music and getting great reviews.
For a more casual side of OK Mozart make sure and visit the Happy Hour Series. This is a special series specifically with the 40 and under crowd in mind. “Heavy Appetizers” and drinks are available each night in the Studio Theater starting at 5:15. The week starts off with the Comedy Clinic Tulsa Comedy Troupe with a show best described as “Saturday Night Live meets Whose Line is it Anyway?” Other interesting Happy Hour events include Jazz and pop based Eric Sarmeinto and the sure to be memorable “Mozart Idol Competition”, featuring local celebrity judges playing the parts of Randy, Paula, and of course, Simon.
Even international music festivals have local acts as part of the roster and this is no exception. One hometown band with an international flair is The Kilkenny Road Band, performing Tuesday at 5 in the Community Hall. They are an energetic mix of jigs, reels, and ballads that will take you back to the pubs of Ireland.
It only takes a little “Pocket Change” to see this next act! Three dollars gets you in to the BCC Hall to hear an eclectic blend of Folk, Bluegrass, Western Swing, and Rock on Monday night. Pocket Change happens to include among its members past National Autoharp Champion JoAnn Smith.
To sum it all up, this isn’t your typical stuffy classical music festival. A vibrant mix of genre’s and eclectic events ensure a good time for the young and old alike. Whether your tastes lean to the refined or relaxed, Ok Mozart has it for you. The people of Bartlesville invite you to come and see for yourself. For ticket information call 918.336.9800 or visit www.okmozart.com.
Bridget K. Wood
BMS Website 
