Meadowlark Music Festival Nebraska

By Dianne Kennedy

In many ways, the Meadowlark Festival is the antithesis of a typical American chamber-music concert, but in many ways it is the distinctiveness of the entire festival experience that has helped the Meadowlark Music Festival grow from an upstart in Lincoln to an event recognized by the national classical media. One of the secrets to the festival’s success is rooted in the technique of booking concerts at places, in Nebraska, where people would be inclined to go during the summer. This year is no exception.

Concerts are held at traditional and unexpected venues. On Thursday, July 17, the festival hosts the very first concert to be held at the International Quilt Center (designed by internationally known architect Robert A.M. Stern).

Then the festival returns to James Arthur Vineyard with an al fresco concert and picnic contest.

The annual Saturday morning “Meadowlark Bike Ride to Walton” continues. The Jupiter String Quartet will perform two mini-concerts at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

The season’s finale, Saturday, July 19 at Kimball Hall, combines the talents of pianist Stephen Myer and the Jupiter String Quartet.

Board President Jane Rohman says, “It is a joy to offer this extraordinary opportunity for families in Lincoln and greater Nebraska to participate in the unique experience of a chamber music festival.” Ticket prices range from $5 to $15 dollars for those 16 years of age and older. The festival is geared for families; children are welcome to attend the concerts free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

Because so many audience members are first-timers, the programming aims at accessibility: Concerts are kept to 90 minutes or less. This year’s schedule is no exception. It will feature two exciting groups and one exciting pianist, the Jupiter String Quartet and Metales M5 and pianist Spencer Myer.

Myer is a graduate of the Julliard School and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He is a winner of the American Pianists Association Award and a finalist in the Busoni International Piano Competition.

The Jupiter String Quartet has been awarded The Cleveland Award by the Chamber Music America, a prize that “honors and promotes a string quartet whose artistry is in the process of establishing a major career.” They also have been selected to join the Lincoln Center’s Chamber Society Two for a three-year residency.

Metales M5 is, according to artistic director Bill Smith, “without question the best brass quintet in Mexico.” Headquartered in Morelia, the group has toured extensively in Mexico. This will be their first major tour north of the border, another Meadowlark coup!

Meadowlark opens with organist Marcos Krieger from Susquehanna University, who will join Metales M5 in a concert of organ and brass at Lincoln’s First Plymouth Church on July 16. Marcos grew up in Brazil, understands the Latin genre and relishes the idea of this collaboration.

Meadowlark collaborates with local youth services to present free concerts for children attending community-learning centers. Thanks to the generosity of Max and Lillie Larsen, the festival bestows the Larsen Young Artists Award each year on two high school string players. The winner performs with the visiting string quartet. This can be a truly life-changing moment!

Meadowlark concerts are heard throughout Nebraska. This season, concerts will be held at Doane College in Crete, Dana College in Blair, Midwest Community College in North Platte, the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, and the Presbyterian Church of the Cross in Omaha.

The festival is funded through a modest budget. Ticket sales yield about 20 percent of the budget and the rest is raised through grants from local foundations, individual contributions and corporate sponsorships. Early on, the Lark Society was created as a support group for the festival.

From its inception, the Meadowlark Festival has selected a distinguished Nebraska visual artist to provide a distinctive piece of artwork for the season. This year’s artist is quilt-maker Michael James. Previous artists have included Robert Weaver, Nadine McHenry, Keith Jacobshagen, Stephen Dinsmore, ceramicist Gail Kendall, sculptor Cliff Hollestele and textile artist Robert Hillestead. At the conclusion of each season, the original artwork is placed on permanent loan to the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney.

The Meadowlark Board is a working board of 18. Each and every member shares in the behind-the-scenes mechanics of putting on the festival. Responsibilities run the gamut from president, artistic director, festival set-ups, merchandising, artist transportation, fundraising, marketing, parking coordination, ticket taking, venue selection, and picnic judges. Board members are easy to spot at the venues wearing their Meadowlark T-shirts, and they are always available to assist concertgoers.

Tickets are on sale and may be purchased online at www.meadowlarkmusicfestival.com or by calling the Meadowlark office at 402-488-9555.

It’s going to be a fabulous season… See you at the concerts!

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