Art & Culture
Amit Peled and Brett Mitchell, August 2021 Photo courtesy of Sunriver Music Festival
Central Oregon’s Classical Music Experience
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ith family roots in Oregon, Brett Mitchell’s 2021 visit to Sunriver as a final candidate for the Artistic Director & Conductor position of Sunriver Music Festival was a welcome return. “It’s hard to top making beautiful music in such a beautiful place, but getting to do it in such a family-friendly environment really takes the cake,” Brett said. He and his wife and their son live in Colorado. They are looking forward to spending their summer in Sunriver and enjoying everything there is to do and see. “Everything about my first summer in Sunriver was completely magical,” Brett said. “The board, staff and musicians of Sunriver Music Festival are all phenomenal.” He has exciting plans for the 45th Sunriver Music Festival in
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August, adding he is excited to share with Central Oregon’s incredible audiences’ world-class performers and fantastic orchestral works, both old and new. Music has always been part of his life, starting with piano lessons in first grade, playing the alto saxophone in fourth grade and moving to the percussion section in high school. “I also started both composing and conducting in high school, which led to getting my undergraduate degree in composition from Western Washington University,” he said, adding he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in orchestral conducting at The University of Texas. In consistent demand throughout the United States and abroad, Maestro Mitchell’s recent engagements have included 5 years as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony
