Looking Back: PICCFEST 2003

"I had a dream. For four or more months during the planning of the PICCFEST Gala Concert I had a dream that I would be able to attend the performance and hear 300 children bring the words of the war-weary youth of former Yugoslavia to life. Three days before the performance that dream took shape when it became possible to hop on a plane and fly to Eugene. The performance I heard was indeed a dream come true. Sandra Snow, the ablest of conductors, led a performance that brought me to tears because of its integrity to the words and the music. Furthermore, she added a visual drama that I had not seen before, and served to further enhance what was already a highly musical and emotional event. No composer could have asked for more, and I got to be there. Dreams do come true: perhaps, even Dreams of Peace!" Robert Jager, July 7, 2003

Ten Treble Choirs Converged on Eugene
from New Jersey to Missouri to Oregon and all points between. These talented singers ages 10-18 gave 20 free performances during six days of intensive music making as the world class 300-voice Festival Chorus directed by Sandra Snow

Joining forces with the Oregon Mozart Players
to present the West Coast premiere of American composer Robert Jager's acclaimed choral symphony, I Dream of Peace, in the Hult Center's Silva Hall on June 30, 2003. The inspiring, uplifting Gala Concert program also featured the premiere of orchestration by Stephen Paulus for Sing Creations Music On, commissioned for PICCFEST 2004 by Oregon Festival Choirs, and works by J. L. Bach, Gwyneth Walker and Lee Kesselman.

A seat opened up on a late flight from Tennessee to Eugene, bringing Jager in time for final rehearsals. The Festival Chorus and Oregon Mozart Players gave him a standing ovation when he was introduced at dress rehearsal. He said his music is his contribution to the "cause of Peace." Said one young singer from St. Louis, "When I found out he was here, my mouth just dropped open and stayed that way for at least 10 seconds."

Special thanks to Title Sponsors KVAL-TV and Lane Transit for making this concert possible. Ambassador Travel made Mr. Jager's flight arrangements.

Jager's composition inspired the 2003 festival theme, Dreams of Peace. He was inspired to write it when he discovered a UNICEF collection of writings and drawings done by young refugees and orphans caught in the ethnic cleansing wars that tore apart Yugoslavia.

Jager found the book in the Holocaust Museum. He wanted the words to be sung by singers the same ages as the young people who wrote them. In April, a Carnegie Hall performance of I Dream of Peace received three standing ovations.

Read Robert's letter to the PICCFEST choirs and audience in Program Notes.

Click here for details about the book that inspired Jager's music.

Jager's I Dream of Peace is published by Hal Leonard/Theodore Presser. Visit Robert Jager's web site.

PICCFEST Chorus opened the 34th Oregon Bach Festival
The Festival Chorus sang for the Bach Festival's opening ceremonies in the soaring Hult Center Lobby, joined the audience for the performance of Handel's Jeptha, and made the nightly news on all Eugene TV stations, The Register-Guard and The Oregonian. Maestro Helmuth Rilling's guest appearance as a PICCFEST presenter the following morning provided choristers with an "up close and personal" opportunity to learn more about the artistic mission of Bach Festival.

Visiting choirs "made the scene in Eugene"
at 5th Street Market's Bach Party with roll-out performances June 28-29.
St. Louis Children's Choir made the nightly news on CBS affiliate KVAL TV!
San Diego Children's Choir made the nightly news on ABC affiliate KEZI TV