Oak Hill Music Festival is a unique opportunity to enjoy relaxed summer evening concerts this July with world-class musicians.  Our artists join us from around the country, where they perform with top orchestras and enjoy international touring careers. Led by founder and Upper Valley native Leah Kohn, our 2023 season offers three curated concerts that celebrate the depth, diversity, and endless possibilities of chamber music, with music by Vivaldi, Borodin, Mahler, and a diverse lineup of other masterworks with influences from around the globe. In addition to two free open rehearsals, Oak Hill Music Festival is collaborating with Upper Valley Music Center to present a free children’s concert with musical storytelling, activities, and fun excerpts from the evening concerts. 

Concerts (2023 Season)

Four Seasons

July 12th at 7:00pm at First Congregational Church of Lebanon, NH

Join us on our opening night for a captivating musical journey through the changing seasons. Experience the rebirth of spring with Piazzolla’s Primavera Porteña (Bueños Aires Spring) and music for violin and piano by Lili Boulanger, the oppressive heat of summer with Gershwin’s Summertime and Samuel Barber’s Summer Music for Woodwind Quintet, and the revelry of autumn and bite of winter from Antonio Vivaldi’s iconic Four Seasons. 

Music of Exile

Friday, July 14, 2023

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

First Congregational Church of Lebanon, NH

10 South Park StreetLebanon, NH, 03766

A celebration of life with music born from exile and diaspora. Vignettes, by pre-eminent 20th century African-American composer William Grant Still, is a vibrant collection of folk songs from the Americas. Hear music by pioneering Brazilian composer Chiquinha Gonzaga, alongside Mahler’s lovely Piano Quartet, the only surviving chamber work from a composer who famously described himself as “thrice homeless”.  Walter Kaufmann’s String Quartet is a fusion of traditions written during his sojourn in Mumbai in the 1930s and ‘40s, while he worked as director of music at All India Radio after fleeing Nazi persecution.

Concert Program 

Darius Milhaud  Suite for violin, clarinet and piano

Gustav Mahler  Piano Quartet

William Grant Still  Vignettes

INTERMISSION

Francisca “Chiquinha” Gonzaga  Three Short Pieces 

Walter Kaufmann  String Quartet no. 11

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Chemistry

Saturday, July 15, 2023

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Norwich Congregational Church

15 Church StreetNorwich, VT, 05055 United States 

Enjoy music celebrating the chemistry between individuals, between instruments, and even some music by and for actual chemists. Alexander Borodin’s vivid and lyrical Second Quartet is one of the most beloved pieces in the string quartet repertoire—but in his day, the composer was also a prominent scientist who made important contributions to organic chemistry. Engaging solo, duo, and trio music by Rachmaninov, Ibert, and Rebecca Clarke round out the program.

Concert Program 

Jacques Ibert  Cinq Piéces en Trio

Rebecca Clarke  Prelude, Allegro, and Pastorale

Sergei Rachmaninoff  Selections for Solo Piano

INTERMISSION 

Alexander Borodin  String Quartet No. 2 in D Major

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Free Children's Concert with UVMC

Sunday, July 16, 2023

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Kilton Public Library

80 S Main St.West Lebanon, NH 03784 United States

In collaboration with Upper Valley Music Center, Oak Hill Music Festival presents a free children’s concert at the Kilton Public Library with storytelling and excerpts from our festival concerts. This concert is free, casual, and wiggle-friendly, with interactive engagement. UVMC’s early childhood music specialist Joni Cushman will guide the youngest members of the audience with hands-on and movement-based activities to engage their minds and bodies with the music. Activities are geared for ages 3-7, but fun for the whole family. Almost all of our stellar musicians will be featured on this program so it is an opportunity to see and hear most of the string and wind instruments up close.

Date: July 12, 14-16, 2023

Location: Various locations in Lebanon, NH

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