Enthusiastic Response Lands MasterWorks Fest Permanently In Winona
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Two years ago the MasterWorks Festival folks were prepared to sign a 200-year contract for future appearances.
They've gone one better.
Patrick and Barbara Kavanaugh plan a permanent move to the area, headquartering the Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship and its subsidiary MasterWorks Festival here.
They'll face the usual concerns of newcomers - where to shop, where to eat out, how to get around.
But their work is already cut out for them.
The Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship is a ministry dedicated to the performance of the classical arts (music, ballet, opera and theater) to the glory of God.
Currently in Haymarket, Va., outside of Washington, D.C., the CPFA has more than 700 musicians and dancers in its ranks.
For the last two summers, more than 200 performing arts students, ages 14 to 26, have converged on the Grace College campus and the town, to study, practice and perform for appreciative, packed houses in Rodeheaver Auditorium as part of the MasterWorks Festival.
Performing to a full house is quite a change from the sparsely attended concerts given at Houghton College in New York, where the MasterWorks Festival was held for five years.
""It's demoralizing for kids not to have an audience," Kavanaugh said recently of the community's support.
"Here, everyone just comes out in droves. We were shocked when the entire town came out for a faculty recital."
This enthusiastic response and warm Hoosier hospitality caused the Kavanaughs and the CPAF board of directors to reconsider their present position in Virginia.
"We've been given an extremely positive reception. Winona Lake has an amazing heritage, its a very good match, I think," Kavanaugh said of the decision to relocate.
He and Barbara are parents of four sons, only the youngest of whom will still be at home when they move next summer. Barbara plans to build another log cabin, like their current residence.
Adjusting to lake life is just a cross they'll have to bear.
"It's just going to get better," he said of the CPAF and summer music camp. "We'll have an increased staff here. It will be like having MasterWorks all year.
"There is really a strong desire for culture here. In 20 years this will be a true cultural center. Just give us time."
Within five years, CPAF will have it's own land and headquarters. In the meantime, Grace College is providing office space. Interns will be housed at The Lodge.
The CPAF board of directors comprises seven sets of married couples. Three of the couples also plan make the move to the area in June.
"We'll start small. Eventually, this will develop into a real artists' colony. This will become quite a community. We know several professional musicians in their 50s ready to retire from an orchestra. They are just waiting for us to settle, then they'll join us here."
Plans also include building a new auditorium to replace Rodeheaver. The new facility will have wings, an orchestra pit, stadium seating for a larger audience. These amenities are more conducive to dance, opera and theater productions.
Kavanaugh feels very strongly about making the classics available to everyone - at no charge.
"You can spend $80 to $120 per ticket to see the National Symphony Orchestra perform. How can a family of four afford to go? Since our concerts are free, we pack 'em in."
MasterWorks brings together the world's top musicians with the world's top students. This year violinist Eugene Fodor was a guest instructor and soloist. Stephen Clapp, dean of the Julliard School, is a regular faculty member. Others come from orchestras, dance troupes and Broadway.
In addition to top quality instruction, the students have daily Bible study and hear the hard facts about life as a fine arts professional.
"We tell them the truth about how hard it is to find a job," Kavanaugh said. "For one open trombone seat with the National Symphony, 400 people auditioned. Young women have an extremely difficult time balancing marriage and a family with six to eight hours of practice a day.
"We don't take their money and say we'll talk about jobs, then don't. We talk about the difficulty of finding work all the time."
Kavanaugh loves the kids who attend MasterWorks. Some come with difficult pasts or just $5 in their pocket for the month.
During the "good-byes" at the end of two and four weeks, he's heard students say the MasterWorks Festival is the first place they've ever felt loved.
Next year's festival dates are June 20 through July 18.
During August, the Kavanaughs and other staff members travel to England for the first MasterWorks Europe event.
"In 20 years I want to have a number of concerts played simultaneously around the world," he said. "MasterWorks Europe is just the first step."
On the Net: www.ChristianPerformingArt.com [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - Two years ago the MasterWorks Festival folks were prepared to sign a 200-year contract for future appearances.
They've gone one better.
Patrick and Barbara Kavanaugh plan a permanent move to the area, headquartering the Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship and its subsidiary MasterWorks Festival here.
They'll face the usual concerns of newcomers - where to shop, where to eat out, how to get around.
But their work is already cut out for them.
The Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship is a ministry dedicated to the performance of the classical arts (music, ballet, opera and theater) to the glory of God.
Currently in Haymarket, Va., outside of Washington, D.C., the CPFA has more than 700 musicians and dancers in its ranks.
For the last two summers, more than 200 performing arts students, ages 14 to 26, have converged on the Grace College campus and the town, to study, practice and perform for appreciative, packed houses in Rodeheaver Auditorium as part of the MasterWorks Festival.
Performing to a full house is quite a change from the sparsely attended concerts given at Houghton College in New York, where the MasterWorks Festival was held for five years.
""It's demoralizing for kids not to have an audience," Kavanaugh said recently of the community's support.
"Here, everyone just comes out in droves. We were shocked when the entire town came out for a faculty recital."
This enthusiastic response and warm Hoosier hospitality caused the Kavanaughs and the CPAF board of directors to reconsider their present position in Virginia.
"We've been given an extremely positive reception. Winona Lake has an amazing heritage, its a very good match, I think," Kavanaugh said of the decision to relocate.
He and Barbara are parents of four sons, only the youngest of whom will still be at home when they move next summer. Barbara plans to build another log cabin, like their current residence.
Adjusting to lake life is just a cross they'll have to bear.
"It's just going to get better," he said of the CPAF and summer music camp. "We'll have an increased staff here. It will be like having MasterWorks all year.
"There is really a strong desire for culture here. In 20 years this will be a true cultural center. Just give us time."
Within five years, CPAF will have it's own land and headquarters. In the meantime, Grace College is providing office space. Interns will be housed at The Lodge.
The CPAF board of directors comprises seven sets of married couples. Three of the couples also plan make the move to the area in June.
"We'll start small. Eventually, this will develop into a real artists' colony. This will become quite a community. We know several professional musicians in their 50s ready to retire from an orchestra. They are just waiting for us to settle, then they'll join us here."
Plans also include building a new auditorium to replace Rodeheaver. The new facility will have wings, an orchestra pit, stadium seating for a larger audience. These amenities are more conducive to dance, opera and theater productions.
Kavanaugh feels very strongly about making the classics available to everyone - at no charge.
"You can spend $80 to $120 per ticket to see the National Symphony Orchestra perform. How can a family of four afford to go? Since our concerts are free, we pack 'em in."
MasterWorks brings together the world's top musicians with the world's top students. This year violinist Eugene Fodor was a guest instructor and soloist. Stephen Clapp, dean of the Julliard School, is a regular faculty member. Others come from orchestras, dance troupes and Broadway.
In addition to top quality instruction, the students have daily Bible study and hear the hard facts about life as a fine arts professional.
"We tell them the truth about how hard it is to find a job," Kavanaugh said. "For one open trombone seat with the National Symphony, 400 people auditioned. Young women have an extremely difficult time balancing marriage and a family with six to eight hours of practice a day.
"We don't take their money and say we'll talk about jobs, then don't. We talk about the difficulty of finding work all the time."
Kavanaugh loves the kids who attend MasterWorks. Some come with difficult pasts or just $5 in their pocket for the month.
During the "good-byes" at the end of two and four weeks, he's heard students say the MasterWorks Festival is the first place they've ever felt loved.
Next year's festival dates are June 20 through July 18.
During August, the Kavanaughs and other staff members travel to England for the first MasterWorks Europe event.
"In 20 years I want to have a number of concerts played simultaneously around the world," he said. "MasterWorks Europe is just the first step."
On the Net: www.ChristianPerformingArt.com [[In-content Ad]]