Echoes of paradise: the resonance of arts & nature is the theme of this year’s Cazenovia Counterpoint festival, presented by the Society for New Music – an award winning Central New York organization devoted to cultivating CNY’s musical community. Springing from the Society’s objective to help audiences of all ages to be “conversant with music of their own time,” the Cazenovia Counterpoint Festival is an all-inclusive festival devoted to the “expressive arts” and featuring music, art, and literature-themed events presented throughout the month of July.
Heading the month-long festival is an interactive installation known as Paradise by Douglas Quin & Lorne Covington (to be presented at the gallery at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park); with the premiere of the contemporary film Memphis, by Caz native Tim Sutton later that same day (July 9). A concert given in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the organ at the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, Art Inspired Music, is to follow the next day (July 10), followed by tea.
The July 1–30 Invitational Art Exhibit includes art by 23 artists from the heart of New York –exhibiting art works in acrylic, clay, digital, fiber arts, fused glass, miniatures, mixed, painting, photography, sculpture, stone, and watercolor. The Art Exhibition Reception on July 16 from 5-7pm at St. Peter’s Hall will feature artist demonstrations and music by a Rising Star. The art work is hung at St. Peter’s Hall, Cazenovia Public Library, Common Ground, and on main street windows at Isabella’s, Caz Jewelry, and Caz Artisans.
Wrapping up the festival will be a Rising Stars Alum concert at Route 20 Sofa Co, followed by a book launch celebration for Bob Colley’s Scotland and the Hebrides (July 23) at the Brae Loch, the region’s authentic Scottish Inn, plus music. The grand finale will be Family Arts Day at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park July 24th, beginning with a Poetry Round-Robin, and ending with Sound Wandering – Art, Nature & Music, music in five sites on the Hilltop culminating with a premiere of Ed Ruchalski’s new work.
The festival will also include a Young Composer’s Corner – led by Syracuse native Nikolas Jeleniauskas – (July 11-15), two Writer’s Corners (July 16, 19), and two Rising Stars concerts – concerts which pair six emerging composers with six prize-winning Central New York high school musicians to premiere a musical work written especially for them – (July 13, July 20).
Also notable this season is the fully-staged opera by the late Pulitzer winner Steven Stucky, The Classical Style, featuring regional singers at Cazenovia Theater. Only two years old, the opera has been performed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Aspen, and at Carnegie Hall. Stucky was a Society commissioned composer, long-time board member and program advisor.
New this year are After Hours events, giving audiences a chance to enjoy contemporary music in a variety of settings with socializing, food and drinks.
Find more information about Cazenovia Counterpoint, this seasons events, or the Society for New Music at http://www.societyfornewmusic.org. Or call Mary Ellen Brzozowski at 315-251-1151. Photos of composers, performers, and art work available.