Festival brings the classics to Okla.

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jun 11, 2009 by Heather Caliendo

The New York Times releases a listing of top summer music festivals every year, and on there you'll see familiar cities such as New York and San Francisco. Oh, and Bartlesville, Okla.

The OK Mozart Festival takes place every June in Bartlesville, a city with a population of 35,000 residents. Last year, the event was host to more than 22,000 visitors from 33 states and several foreign countries, said Scott Black, executive director for OK Mozart.

Black said the festival puts Oklahoma in the national spotlight.

"This festival is very unique for the state," he said. "A lot of people think the state is just merely strong in country music such as Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks."

Celebrating its 25th year, OK Mozart brings internationally renowned talent to the community to provide entertainment over the span of nine days.

"Living in Oklahoma, you don't get something like this every day," said Black. "It's definitely jammed packed - it's not your typical summer festival."

Black said as they prepare to celebrate the festival's 25th birthday, it is interesting to reflect on how far the annual festival has come.

Ransom Wilson and his orchestra made a performance stop in Bartlesville in 1983.

The musicians expected to play at a small center but were pleasantly surprised to find a solid concert hall, Black said.

Wilson was so impressed with the acoustics of the Bartlesville Community Center that he made a proposal to start an annual classical music festival in the town.

Thus, OK Mozart was founded in 1985. Wilson served as artistic director for 21 seasons.

Officials estimate the festival has an economic impact of anywhere from $3 million to $10 million per year.

Upon joining as executive director, Black said he strived to take the festival to a new level.

While preserving the festival's classical core, it now features three series of entertainment options for the major concerts.

Visitors can choose from more than 10 major concerts and more than 75 daytime showcase events, mini-concerts and other cultural events.

In addition to the classical experience, attendances can listen to jazz artists and watch the Houston Ballet II.

Sponsoring a festival over a nine-day period is not a cheap project. Black said it cost more than $1 million to produce. With ticket sales covering just about 25 percent of the costs, Black said they rely heavily on corporate and individual support.

The Bartlesville community continues to rally behind the festival, Black said. About 50 percent of attendees are local.

"Many visitors who come in are the wealthy individuals who have the luxury to travel around to different festivals," he said. "People flock from all over the country to Bartlesville. It's really a remarkable thing."