Nurturing culture on the prairie
Third annual festival brings sounds of classical music to Oklahoma
Third annual festival brings classical music to Oklahoma
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By Ron Jackson
Published: July 24, 2008
QUARTZ MOUNTAIN STATE PARK — Like many folks here in southwest Oklahoma, Riley "Nub” Smith grew up loving dirt roads, country fried steaks and music with a twang.
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‘It is a magical place'
Festival founder David Palmer would love to find hundreds of other classical converts this weekend on Oklahoma's western prairie. Palmer, founder of Chamber Music Amarillo in 1999, was in search of a new festival location four years ago when he drove into Quartz Mountain State Park. By his side sat his father, Michael Palmer — a noted American conductor and the director of orchestral studies at the Georgia State University School of Music in Atlanta.
The father and son were mesmerized as they navigated slowly through the winding roads of the granite mountain. Then they caught their first glimpse of the lodge and performing arts center anchored against the mountain, with Lake Altus-Lugert glistening in the background.
"I knew immediately we had found something special,” David Palmer recalled. "The Kiowa Indians were right. It is a magical place.”
Farmers and ranchers still dominate the region, and scratching out a living has generally taken priority over artistic endeavors. Culture came via television and radio.
Palmer is gambling that he can turn the tide. Two years ago, the festival opened to a crowd of 350 people. Last year, attendance dipped to 250, but organizers have since cast a broader net, hoping to interest folks from farther away.
"If we can just get them in the door, I believe the music will win them over,” Palmer said. His confidence is embedded in a lineup of heavy hitters in the classical music industry, none of whom are more highly regarded worldwide than guitarist Pepe Romero.
Bringing music to new places
Romero first performed professionally with his father at age 7. He has since performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, Prince Charles, and King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain.
These days he embraces the idea of playing in southwestern Oklahoma for the first time.
"That's what our family has done for more than 50 years,” Romero said from his home in Del Mar, Calif. "We've taken our music to many countries where it has never been heard. I find that classical music is very accessible because it is a beautiful thing.”
Word-of-mouth could be the festival's best chance to survive.
"I think it's vital that this festival is a success because we are so remote,” said Gloria Rustmann, who owns a ballet studio in Altus. "We need the arts, but I'm afraid our biggest problem might be publicity. I wonder how many people really know about the festival.”
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Christianity, Celebrity News, Entertainment, Music Festivals, Music, Roman Catholicism, Classical Music, Royalty
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