Brevard Music Center facts for kids
Brevard Music Center's Parker Concert Hall in 2022
|
|
| Address | 349 Andante Lane, Brevard, North Carolina, United States |
|---|---|
| Location | Brevard, North Carolina, United States |
| Owner | Brevard Music Center |
| Capacity | Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium: 1,800 Parker Concert Hall: 400 |
| Opened | 1945 |
| Tenants | |
| Brevard Music Center Orchestra | |
The Brevard Music Center is a special place in Brevard, North Carolina. It's a home for classical music and a big festival that happens every year.
Each summer, it hosts an international music school and festival. About 400 students, aged 14 and up, come to learn and play music. They join orchestras, sing in operas, play in small groups, and even learn how to write music. They also get private lessons from expert teachers.
The music season runs from late June to early August. Besides classical music, the Center also features other types of music. You might hear contemporary music, bluegrass, or popular artists. Famous conductors like Keith Lockhart often perform there. The Brevard Music Center helps the economy of western North Carolina.
Contents
History of the Music Center
How it Started
The Brevard Music Center began in 1936. It was first a summer music camp for boys. This camp was held at Davidson College. James Christian Pfohl, a teacher at Davidson, started the program. He led it for seven years at Davidson. Then, for one season, it moved to Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Moving to Brevard
In 1944, Mr. Pfohl moved the music program. It came to its current home in Brevard, North Carolina. In 1945, he started a festival of concerts. The name "Brevard Music Center" was chosen in 1955.
Leaders of the Center
James Christian Pfohl was the artistic director until 1964. After him, Henry Janiec took over. He was from Converse College. The opera program at the Center is named after him. In 1997, conductor David Effron became the director. Keith Lockhart became the Artistic Director in October 2007.
Music Groups at the Center
The Brevard Music Center has six main music groups. These groups are:
- Brevard Music Center Orchestra
- Sinfonia
- Concert Orchestra
- Festival Orchestra
- Symphonic Winds
- New Music Ensemble
Places to Perform
The Brevard Music Center has four main places for performances.
Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium
The biggest place is the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium. It is an outdoor hall with 1,800 seats. More than 80 public concerts happen here.
Other Performance Halls
Thomas Hall and Straus Auditorium are also on campus. These halls are used for large group rehearsals. Students also have classes and small chamber performances there.
The Brevard Music Center also uses Scott Concert Hall. This hall is at Brevard College. It is used for theater shows and opera productions.
Parker Concert Hall
Parker Concert Hall opened in 2022. It has 400 seats. This is where the Brevard Music Center's faculty perform chamber concerts. The Music Center also works with the Transylvania County Library. They offer many free public events together.
Summer Music School
What Students Learn
The Brevard Music Center hosts an international summer festival. About 400 students, aged 14 and older, attend. The teachers are professional musicians from all over the country.
The Center teaches many different instruments. Students can learn orchestral instruments, piano, and how to compose music. They can also study voice, jazz, and opera.
Divisions and Campus Life
The Brevard Music Center has two main groups of students. There is a college division and a high school division. Students in both groups play in many of the festival's orchestras. They also practice and perform in smaller chamber groups. These groups include both string and wind instruments.
Most of the students are college age or older. All students and teachers live on the wooded campus. The campus is about 180 acres (0.73 km2) in size.
Famous People Who Attended
Many talented musicians have studied at the Brevard Music Center. Some famous alumni include:
- David Daniels, a countertenor (a male singer with a high voice)
- Keith Lockhart, the conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra
- Roberto Diaz, a violist and president of the Curtis Institute of Music
- Gianna Rolandi, a famous opera singer. She later directed the Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago.
See also
- Gianna Rolandi
