Festival News May

June 2008-2008 Festival Audition dates Changed

The audition dates for this years' SMF chorus have been moved to June 9 and June 16 from 6-9PM at the Central Presbyterian Church in Summit. Please email info@summitmusicfestivalnj.com to schedule an audition.

May 2008- Maestro Tramm named Music Director of the New Jersey State Opera

Jason C Tramm has been named as the second Music Director of the New Jersey State Opera, where he succeeds the late Alfredo Silipigni. Dr. Tramm served as the Chorus Master under Silipigni, who was the founder of the organization and became well known in the musical world for bringing an international reputation to the company. In a statement Mr. Tramm has said, "Maestro Silipigni believed that New Jersey deserves top-notch grand opera and that will be the goal of our company as we move forward." Mr. Tramm's debut with the company will be on a concert performance at Ocean Grove's Great Auditorium on September 14. More information will be released on a press conference held on May 22 at the Robert Treat Hotel at 1PM.

The Summit Music Festival is pleased to announce that Valerie Bernhardt, Soprano and Thomas Woodman, Baritone will be the soloists for their July 26 performance of the Brahms Requiem. According to SMF Artistic Diretor, Jason Tramm, "Both of these soloists exemplify the highest levels of artistic achievement. We know that our audience, who has come to expect this from our performances, will enjoy their fine interpretations of this great work." Ms. Bernhardt has performed with the SMF in 2005, and most recently was the soprano soloist in the Verdi Requiem at Carnegie Hall with the St. Cecelia Chorus. Mr. Woodson has performed leading roles with many of the leading opera companies of the world, including; the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, and many others.