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Summer SongFest Program for Singers and Pianists Offered Free Concerts  

Songfest, an intensive summer professional training program for aspiring classical singers and pianists, opened its 2007 season on June 17 in Raitt Recital Hall at Pepperdine University. All performances were open to the public and free. Through its two divisions, the Professional Program and the Apprentice Program, Songfest addresses the wide-ranging needs of curious auditors, ambitious high school students, budding professionals, and teachers who seek enrichment.  

The program offers free concerts to the public featuring the music of Bach, Fauré, Schubert, Schumann, Gordon, Harbison, Heggie, and Primosch performed by both young and established professionals.

SongFest features an internationally respected faculty of professional performers, directors, lecturers, and master teachers who form a cohesive, committed, and united teaching team. The 2007 season's esteemed guest artists included Graham Johnson, pianist; Martin Katz, pianist; Craig Smith, conductor; Peggy Pearson, oboist; Sheryl Cohen, flutist; Jake Heggie, composer; Ricky Ian Gordon, composer; James Primosch, composer; Judith Kellcok, soprano; D'Anna Fortunato, mezzo-soprano; and Janice Felty, mezzo-soprano.

The goal of SongFest is to provide gifted singers and pianists the opportunity to study and interact intimately with artists of the highest level. Each year, SongFest has brought more than 50 artists and auditors together with the common goals of broadening the understanding and knowledge of the vocal art form and strengthening skills and performance.

Songfest was founded and is directed by pianist Rosemary Hyler Ritter, and regularly features well-known artists such as John Harbison, Martin Katz, and Margaret Lattimore. 

For additional information, please visit the SongFest Web site, or call Kyle Ferrill at (478) 952-5025.