Posted inMusic

Meet Central Oregon Symphony’s New Executive Director

Dr. Travis Allen is a cellist, musicologist and Bend native

Wearing many musical hats already, Dr. Travis Allen has recently also taken on the role of executive director of the Central Oregon Symphony Association. He is a cellist extraordinaire, professor of music history and theory at COCC, member of the Dove String Quartet and frequent performer with the Sunriver Music Festival. He is also the […]

Posted inSound Stories & Interviews

COCC Professor and Conductor of Central Oregon Symphony to Retire

Michael Gesme looks forward and back after almost 30 years

Central Oregon is preparing to say thank you, and somewhat of a goodbye, to a man who has been an absolute pillar of the musical community for almost 30 years. Michael Gesme has been the conductor of the Central Oregon Symphony for his entire career here in Bend, in addition to his work as professor […]

Posted inMusic

The Belfry to Host Singing Competition Star

Thunderstorm Artis will give an intimate solo performance in Sisters

A top finisher on both โ€œThe Voiceโ€ and โ€œAmerican Idol,โ€ Thunderstorm Artis grew up on the North Shore of Oahu in a family of 11 kids. His father, Ron Artis, was a Motown session player who performed on many iconic tracks, including Michael Jackson’s โ€œThriller.โ€ His mother, no musical wallflower herself, toured as a backup […]

Posted inMusic

Travel toย Taizรฉ in France Without Leaving Town

First Thursdays with the Central Oregon Taizรฉ choir provide peace, reflection and beauty

When I entered the dimly lit St. Helen’s Hall in downtown Bend on the first Thursday of October for the monthly Taizรฉ meditation service, I was somewhat familiar with the music that originated in Taizรฉ, France. These short and melodic spiritual songs are repeated several times as instruments and perhaps a solo voice are added over the […]

Posted inCulture

High Desert Chamber Music Entering 18th Season

Local Non-Profit is changing lives and bringing beauty to Central Oregon

High Desert Chamber Music is on the cusp of its 18th season bringing professional chamber music groups to Central Oregon. Founder and Executive Director Isabelle LaForรชt Senger is a virtuosic violinist in her own right and a member of the esteemed Crown City String Quartet. She had a successful career in Southern California, playing with […]

Posted inCulture

Song of Sunset: Local Short Film Premiere and Songwriterโ€™s Circle

Brian Craig Hinderbergerโ€™s passion project coming to the Volcanic Theatre Pub

Set in our very own city and in well-known venues that we pass by all the time, is Brian Craig Hinderbergerโ€™s original short film that he hopes will become a series. โ€œSong of Sunsetโ€ is a brilliant little nugget that features not just Bend and not just songwriters, but the entire ecosystem of open mics, […]

Posted inSound Stories & Interviews

Composer Chris Thomas Does It All

The Bend resident now writes for movies, network TV, symphony orchestras… and Fortnight, too

Chris Thomas is a composer, cellist, conductor, professor, Comic-Con sound designer, film scorer… and I could keep going on and on. He is a musical treasure in both of his two home bases: Los Angeles and Bend. A native Oregonian, from Pendleton in fact, Chris realized as a child that he had original musical ideas spontaneously springing up […]

Posted inMusic

Composer Chris Thomas Does It All

The Bend resident now writes for movies, network TV, symphony orchestras… and Fortnight, too

Chris Thomas is a composer, cellist, conductor, professor, Comic-Con sound designer, film scorer… and I could keep going on and on. He is a musical treasure in both of his two home bases: Los Angeles and Bend. A native Oregonian, from Pendleton in fact, Chris realized as a child that he had original musical ideas […]

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