Sunriver Music Festival

Amit Peled and Brett Mitchell, August 2021 Photo courtesy of Sunriver Music Festival

Central Oregon’s Classical Music Experience

With 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 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

following five years on conducting staff of The Cleveland Orchestra as well as appearances with the Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Oregon and San Francisco Symphonies, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and many other acclaimed orchestras. “All the while, I’ve continued to compose and perform as a pianist and count myself incredibly fortunate to have made a career in the three musical areas I love so deeply,” he said.

He invites you to the 45th annual Sunriver Music Festival this August to discover and share in the joy of worldclass music in Sunriver.

Sunriver Music Festival’s 45th Season Will Fill Central Oregon with Music

In two stunning locations — Sunriver Resort’s Great Hall and the brandnew Caldera High School in Bend — Artistic Director and Conductor Brett Mitchell leads the Festival Orchestra and world-class soloists in a remarkable 45th season of the landmark Summer Festival.

Four classical concerts, one pops concert, a groundbreaking solo piano concert and the fun “Discover the Symphony” concert will be on stage this summer. Classical Concert I opens the season August 10 at the Caldera High School auditorium in Bend.

Also being held at Caldera High School is the Pops Concert on August 12, and Classical Concert IV on August 21. All other concerts will be at Sunriver Resort’s historic Great Hall.

“We are looking forward to this new era marking the inaugural season with our new Artistic Director and Conductor Brett Mitchell,” Executive Director Meagan Iverson shared. “This summer will be a breath of fresh air as we return indoors at these two beautiful venues. Maestro Mitchell is an esteemed conductor bringing high quality musical experiences for Central Oregon residents and visitors and we cannot wait for this community to meet him!”