I'm proud to officially announce that Kaitlyn Dougher will be our new Managing Director, and will have our new intern Andy Sabol to assist her. Meanwhile, I'll step back into the role of Artistic Director as these two capable and enthusiastic young adults take the reins of the day-to-day operations.

Expect to hear from both Kaitlyn and Andy soon, and of course I'll be in touch too... (and don't forget to check the website; it'll be updated with new concerts and repertoire soon!) 

The Pikes Falls Visual Arts Residency is expanding! Two weeks prior to the musicians arriving, artists Natasha Loewy, Andy Brehm, and Jennifer Lauren Smith will be in Jamaica working to create more a formal and fully realized visual art component than in past years. Natasha will write soon about the artist residency details.

Introducing our Composers in Residence:
Nathan Lincoln-Decusatis and Jeremy PodgurskyNathan is a familiar face around PFCM, and by now his music is also well-known in Jamaica. He's creating a beautiful tribute to the Southern Vermont area with visuals by Rebecca Lepkoff. It's sure to be stunning visually and aurally.

Jeremy, our composer in the second week of the festival, will be a new and energetic force to the VT family. I'm positive you're going to love meeting him and hearing his music!

More Guest Artists!
Because the Guest Artist Concerts on Thursday nights were such a success, we're continuing the Thursday night series! We'll have a Baroque Ensemble, and also a more traditional chamber group. (I know everyone loved the NakedEye Ensemble, so don't worry - that incredible group will return for Season 8 in the Summer of 2019!) 

Pikes Falls Chamber Music Festival Musicians
So many familiar faces will be back in Jamaica! Get ready to see James, Blake, and Sarah with their lyrical violins, Evan's intense clarinet, Ben's bassoon,  Marisa and Dana on the viola, and Igancio on the cello. Rich will conduct the World Premieres, and I'll play the flute... 

New musicians this summer include Chandra Cervantes on the horn, and Tim McReynolds on the piano!

Partnerships around Southern Vermont
We've already arranged to play at the Jamaica State Park on Wednesdays and Valley Cares on Thursdays. Our Town Hall Concerts will continue on Saturday evenings, and we're working on details of Friday concerts in Brattleboro and other surprises in Jamaica. (Remember those awesome receptions North Country General provided after every Town Hall concert last season? We'll make sure they know how grateful we are!) This is all to say we have a ton of concerts in the works, and it's going to be an amazing summer. 

It's a lot!
Each year, I wonder... is this really going to happen? Can we pull it off? But, the answer is always a resounding "Yes!" and that's because of all of you. I'll be in touch with repertoire and concert updates later this month (I just need to solidify a few details before I feel comfortable publicizing), and I'll also make sure to send an introduction to the new PFCM musicians and artists. 

Meanwhile, THANK YOU! This festival wouldn't happen without your support: monetary, in-kind, emotional, and every other type of support imaginable. As always, I can't thank you enough, and I can only say I'll continue to give as much as I can to make the Pikes Falls Chamber Music Festival continue to be the best experience possible. 

Good morning! 

Merry Christmas, everyone! (And a belated Happy Hanukkah!)

I'm sitting on my couch with Princess Jasmine and Oliver (my two feline roommates) and reflecting on this day that is so important for so many people...

I've long ago realized that growing up Jewish in Louisiana made religion a more prevalent part of my being than it otherwise might have been. Religion made me a minority, but it also gave me a community and a distinct sense of self. Regardless of belief system, I'll always feel Jewish, and I'll always be thankful to have that firmly rooted cultural identity. 

So, when I think about what else makes me feel 'like myself,' I immediately envision my childhood house filled with art, music, and love. I remember the summertime trips to Vermont, and I feel a sense of urgency to create.

I realize now that the Pikes Falls Chamber Music Festival was born out of those aspects of my upbringing. I hope that I've helped to create an environment filled with art of all kinds; I hope new friendships have blossomed, and old acquaintances are renewed; most importantly, I hope inspiration and love fill my favorite place in the world, Jamaica, VT. 
​

Good afternoon - 

Today is the big eclipse! I'm sitting in a coffee shop in my wonderful Queen Village neighborhood getting some work done, and I planning to go for a walk this afternoon with my sun-safe cereal box projector. I had considered driving down to TN or SC to be in the 'path of totality,' but it seems the inertia of finally being home after a summer away has taken over.

In any case, the past two weeks after the festival have allowed for some time for reflection, and I thought I'd share a few thoughts. 

First, I have to say a huge thank you to all of you. This season was without exaggeration the most successful we've had, by far. This is because of your participation, support, and attendance... not to mention your patience with allowing for a margin of error on my part.

For next year, I'd love to have better attendance at the kids art and music collaboration. Some years, we've had a huge turnout, and I know there are many variables involved, but this year just didn't quite have the number of young people needed to make the event successful. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm happy to hear them. 

However, the portion of the festival that I was most nervous about - the guest artist concerts - worked really well! We'll definitely keep those going next year. Big thanks to the NakedEye Ensemble and Trio Amphion for making the trip to Jamaica.

The Jamaica State Park concerts are fun, and we're always happy to play our first concert of each week in the park. Stay tuned for an awesome addition to these concerts for next year (hint... BBQ and an awesome Jamaica family...). 

Thanks also to both Valley Cares Assisted Living and the Latchis Theater for hosting us again this year. We enjoyed our road trips down Rt 30, and hope to continue the partnerships.

I made a big decision this summer. I'm happy to announce Kaitlyn Dougher as our new Managing Director. Kaitlyn will be taking over the day to day runnings of the festival, and will be helping out throughout the year as well... and, she'll have her very own intern! I'm so excited to share more of the internal workings of the festival with Kaitlyn; I know she'll do a wonderful job. (And don't worry... you'll still hear from me.)

Most importantly, everyone loved once again making music in Southern Vermont. Thank you for allowing us to share it with you. (The final concert is still available on Facebook Live, in case you missed it or want to hear it again.) Once I have the mastered recordings from this year, I'll be sure to send out links to those too. Oh, and the visual art program is getting an overhaul for next year, so expect some updates about that.

This is not an email meant to appeal for funding, but if you intended to support the festival this year and didn't yet get around to it, here's the link to donate safely online. As always, donations are tax deductible. Or, if you prefer, the snail mail address is on the Donate to PFCM page. 

Once again, thank you. And of course, best wishes to you all as we move from summer's end to the pleasant premonitions of fall.

-Susanna Loewy