The seventh annual Oyster Bay Music Festival (OBMF) is returning to the hamlet next week to once again present a series of classical music performances from highly talented young musicians. The festival will take place from June 24 to July 1 at various public locations throughout Oyster Bay, providing a total of 17 free concerts over the course of the eight days, as well as 11 programs at senior centers and several “pop-up” events.
“Each concert will feature our remarkable young artist performers,” said Lauren Ausubel, co-director and flutist. “The level is even higher than last year. Many of our students are coming from top music institutions such as Juilliard or Eastman, and several are prize winners of major international music competitions.”
Ranging in age from 10 to 25 and hailing from communities throughout Long Island and greater New York, these talented musicians will spend their days coaching with faculty, rehearsing solo and chamber music, and performing nonstop.
According to the OBMF directors, the festival is dedicated to the art of performance and the revival of classical music as a vital part of community—an aspect not often associated with the genre.
“There is nothing stuffy about this music,” said co-director Pippa Borisy, pianist and director of the Great Neck Music Conservatory. “Classical music has passion, pushes boundaries, and can open our hearts. Our goal is to create an experience of live performance, rooted in the community of Oyster Bay, that is fun, enlightening, and full of surprises.”
The directors said that the festival “approaches programming with a sense of humor and wit.” Every concert is themed, many with an homage to beloved songs. For example, United in Harmony: Music By The Sea takes place in the boat yard at Building Lot J at the Western Waterfront on June 25. Typical of this festival is the unexpected—audiences will find a Steinway Grand Piano adjacent to the ongoing construction of a replica of the Ida May boat.
The festival kicks off on June 24 at Christ Church, with Prelude: Opening Festival Concert, featuring faculty and stars of the festival and ends in the same location with Coda: Final Festival Concert on July 1. All concerts are free and designed for all ages.
Complete concert listings are available at oysterbaymusicfestival.org. Support is provided in part by Steinway & Sons, The Joel Foundation, and a Community Arts Grant from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Sunday, June 24
Prelude: Opening Festival Concert
Christ Church, 61 East Main St., 7:30 p.m. Opening concert featuring faculty and students of the festival.
Monday, June 25
Only The Good Die Young
Oyster Bay Historical Society, 20 Summit St., 5 p.m. Composers who left the world too early.
United In Harmony:
Music By The Sea
Ida May Project, Building J, on the Western Waterfront, 1 West End Ave. 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 26
You’re Only Human
Raynham Hall, 20 West Main St.,
4 p.m. The dish on personal lives of the great composers.
Music In The Harbor
St. John’s Church, Bleecker Hall, 1670 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor,
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 27
Eine Kleine Nosh-Musik
Spinnakers Restaurant, 62 South St., noon to 2 p.m. Stop by, have some lunch, and enjoy music.
Call Of The Wild
Wawapek Preserve,
Cold Spring Harbor, 5:30 p.m.
Say Goodbye To Hollywood
Christ Church, 61 East Main St., 8 p.m. Music that transcends the screen.
Thursday, June 28
Riding Around In My Automobile
6 to 8 p.m. OBMF performs at Cruise Night
Piano Man And Friends: Guest Artist Concert With Michael Brown
Christ Church, 61 East Main St., 8 p.m.
Friday, June 29
Especially For Kids!
Not Just Art, 183 South St., 2 p.m.
Moving Out
Oyster Bay Historical Society,
20 Summit St., 5 p.m. The traveling composer.
Keeping The Faith – Music And God
St. John’s Church, Bleecker Hall, 1670 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor,
7:30 p.m. Exploring relationships between composers and religion
Saturday, June 30
Clarinets, Clavichords…
Carrots And Cucumbers?
Raynham Hall, 20 West Main St., 1 to 3 p.m. Outdoor vegetable orchestra workshop and simultaneous indoor festival concert. This program promises musical magic, curiosities, ice cream, and fun for adults and children of all ages.
Stars And Stripes Forever
Sagamore Hill, 20 Sagamore Hill Rd., Cove Neck, 5 p.m.
I Go To Extremes:
A Night At The Opera
Christ Church, 61 East Main St., 8 p.m. Opera scenes and other surprises
Sunday, July 1
Coda: Final Festival Concert
Christ Church, 61 East Main St. 4 p.m.
