Anything Goes

June 10th - July 12th 2009

Press Releases

Festival Names Lewin Executive Director

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Pine Mountain Music Festival announces that Sandra Lewin is its new Executive Director effective January 30, 2012.  She succeeds Peter Van Pelt, who is retiring.

 

Bill Leder, president of the Festival’s Board of Trustees, made the announcement and said, “I know I speak for our entire Board when I say that we are delighted that Sandy has joined the Festival as Executive Director.  Her employment is the culmination of an extensive recruitment process that began last March.  We are confident that Sandy will continue the dedicated leadership that Peter Van Pelt has given us.” 

 

Sandy Lewin has an extensive background that qualifies her to lead the Festival.  She served as Director of Community and Donor Relations at Omega House in Houghton and earlier as University Development Director for Prospect Management and Research at Michigan Technological University.  She also served as Administrative Assistant to the director of the J. Robert Van Pelt Library at Michigan Tech.  Her community service includes volunteering on the Boards of the Calumet Theatre, the Calumet Players, and the Miscowaubik Club, and she has contributed to local theater as actress, singer, musician, and backstage crew. 

 

Outgoing director Peter Van Pelt said, “This Festival is an amazing phenomenon that contributes so much to life in the U.P., and I am delighted that Sandy will be here to cherish and nurture it.  I have known her for a long time and have long admired her professionalism, sense of mission, and passion for the arts.  It’s a really good fit.” 

 

Pine Mountain Music Festival presents a season of opera and classical music each June-July in the Dickinson County area, the Marquette area, the Keweenaw Peninsula, and other towns in the Upper Peninsula.  Visit the website at http://www.pmmf.org or call 888-309-7861 for more information.  Last summer PMMF premiered the U.P. opera Rockland to great acclaim. 

 

Photo:  Pine Mountain Music Festival outgoing Executive Director Peter Van Pelt and incoming Executive Director Sandra Lewin. 

 

Festival Recognizes Kiltinens for Role in “Rockland”

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Pine Mountain Music Festival presented its 2011 Laura Jean Deming Award to John and Pauline Kiltinen of Marquette for their exceptional contributions to the Festival and to the creation and premiere of the new opera “Rockland.” 

 

The presentation was made June 23 at the recital by Finnish baritone Esa Ruuttunen and pianist Craig Randal Johnson at Reynolds Recital Hall in Marquette.  In his presentation remarks, Peter Van Pelt, executive director of Pine Mountain Music Festival, praised the Kiltinens for their role in creating “Rockland” and championing its development over the past several years, and for their generous financial support, and said “No recipient of this award could possibly be more deserving.” 

 

The Laura Jean Deming Award, named for the founder of Pine Mountain Music Festival, is given annually to an individual, group or organization that has rendered outstanding service to the Festival.  Last year’s awardee was Karlyn Rapport, also of Marquette. 

 

It was John Kiltinen who first brought the idea of “Rockland” the opera to Pine Mountain Music Festival, following a discussion with the Finnish composer Jukka Linkola in 2005.  At that time, Linkola was in Marquette for the premiere of his double bass concerto featuring Evan Premo, performed at Finn Grand Fest.  When Linkola heard the story of the 1906 events in the town of Rockland, Ontonagon County, he said, “I’d like to write an opera about that.”  Kiltinen then told the Board of PMMF about it, and in due course the Board formally adopted the project. 

 

John and Pauline Kiltinen were members of the “Rockland” Task Force, which oversaw all the special fund-raising, marketing and management tasks connected with the opera premiere.  Van Pelt said the Kiltinens’ role was indispensable.  “It is not so rare that someone brings a good idea to an organization,” he said, “but it is very rare for that person to back it up with energy and active assistance and financial support.  John and Pauline did all that, in spades.” 

 

“Rockland” was the culmination of the Festival’s 2011 season, and was a major production, with a cast of over 50 and an orchestra of 43 musicians.  It was performed for a packed house on July 15 and 17 at the Rozsa Center in Houghton, and audience reactions to it were extremely favorable, with comments such as “phenomenal,” “blown away,” “luscious music,” and “huge accomplishment.” 

 

Pine Mountain Music Festival presents a season of opera and classical music each June-July in the Dickinson County area, the Marquette area, the Keweenaw Peninsula, and other towns in the Upper Peninsula.  Visit the web at http://www.pmmf.org or call 888-309-7861 for more information. 

Party and Auction to Benefit Festival

Thursday, August 25, 2011

 On September 15 the Pine Mountain Music Festival is hosting a party celebrating the “Rockland” season.  All are invited. 

 

The festive event will be held from 6:30 to 10 pm at Brownstone Hall in Atlantic Mine.  Guests will enjoy savories and sweets, along with wine and punch.  White Water will provide music for dancing, and there will be door prizes for all. 

 

Auction items include a two-night package for two at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, an “Explore Keweenaw” hiking package with Charles Eshbach for up to four people including pasties from Toni’s, an Isle Royale Queen package for two plus overnight stay and breakfast for two at Dapple Gray Bed & Breakfast, a roll-top desk, a picnic basket loaded with picnic gear and goodies, a tub of well-rotted manure from horses and goats who listen only to classical music, and other must-have items.  

 

Pine Mountain Music Festival produced many concerts and recitals in June-July this year in Dickinson County, the Marquette area and the Keweenaw Peninsula, culminating with the new opera “Rockland” which premiered to a full house at the Rozsa Center on July 15 and 17.  Peter Van Pelt, executive director, says, “The 2011 season was a huge success artistically, and now we are down to the last stages of making it a success financially as well.  No wonder we want a party!”

 

Tickets are $25.  Call 906-482-1542 for information or to reserve your space, and send check to PMMF, PO Box 406, Hancock MI 49930.