Sitka Music Festival

==Sitka Music Festival== The '''Sitka Music Festival''' is a renowned classical music festival that has been held annually in Sitka, Alaska, since its inception in 1972. The festival was founded by violinist Paul Rosenthal, a New York native who began playing the violin at the age of three and studied under prominent figures such as Dorothy DeLay at The Juilliard School, Ivan Galamian, Josef Gingold, and master violinist Jascha Heifetz at the University of Southern California. Upon visiting Sitka with the Arctic Chamber Orchestra, Rosenthal was inspired to create a chamber music festival in the community, leading to the first festival in June 1972. Initially supported by a modest group of Alaskan donors and attended by enough patrons to fund the musicians' return flights, the festival has since grown considerably. Musicians performed without a fee in the inaugural year and have continued to volunteer their talents annually. The early partnership with Sheldon Jackson College allowed artists and their families to reside on campus, often in Stevenson Hall, which played a significant role in the festival's history. Over the years, more than 150 professional classical musicians have graced the festival's stages. In 2011, after four decades of leadership and fostering a strong classical music culture in Alaska, Paul Rosenthal retired and appointed cellist Zuill Bailey as his successor. Bailey is recognized as one of the leading cellists in the world and has continued Rosenthal's legacy of bringing high-caliber classical music to the state. ===Festival Expansion and Community Engagement=== The '''Sitka Music Festival''' has expanded beyond its summer series, now filling four weeks in June with up to 24 concerts and events across Sitka, involving over 25 business and community partners and nearly 100 volunteers. Since 2014, the festival has also hosted the Sitka International Cello Seminar every July, offering intensive study for young pre-professional cellists with Zuill Bailey and guest instructors. The festival's presence extends to Anchorage with the Autumn Classics and Winter Classics concert series and free performances at the Anchorage Museum, as well as educational visits to local school orchestras and the Hiland Women’s Prison Orchestra. With support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Alaska State Council on the Arts, festival musicians also tour at least three other Alaskan communities annually, partnering with local arts organizations and governments. These tours often include educational presentations and outreach performances for various audiences, reaching 42 communities across Alaska to date. ===Stevenson Hall and The Miner Music Center=== A pivotal moment for the festival occurred in 2010 when it acquired Stevenson Hall, a vacant building on the historic campus of the former Sheldon Jackson College. With the help of a festival supporter who initially purchased the building, the Sitka Music Festival raised funds and secured ownership by early 2015. The building underwent extensive renovations, including foundation repair, roof replacement, and improvements to make it a comfortable and welcoming space for artists, staff, and visitors. Renamed The Miner Music Center at Stevenson Hall, it now serves as a year-round center for classical music, housing educational outreach programs and hosting artists for performances across Alaska. ===Organization and Mission=== The '''Sitka Music Festival''' is governed by a board of directors led by President Kari Lundgren and includes members from both Sitka and Anchorage. The festival's mission is to provide the finest classical music experience in Alaska through performance and education. The staff, led by Artistic Director Zuill Bailey and Executive Director Alexander Serio, work tirelessly to fulfill this mission. The festival also benefits from the support of the Sitka Music Festival Foundation, established in 1981 to ensure its financial stability. The foundation has received significant contributions from individuals and organizations, including a major gift from George Ishiyama and the Ishiyama Foundation, helping it reach a milestone of raising 1 million dollars. The '''Sitka Music Festival''' continues to be a cherished institution in Alaska, celebrating the power of classical music and its ability to connect communities across the state. Its commitment to excellence in performance and education has made it a cultural landmark for over fifty years. ==External Links== * [http://www.sitkamusicfestival.org Official website of the Sitka Music Festival] * [mailto:info@sitkamusicfestival.org Email contact for the Sitka Music Festival] * [tel:907-747-6774 Phone contact for the Sitka Music Festival]