Support the Wildflower Music Festival
Media Resources
Introduction
When the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary first was chartered in 1980, classical music concerts were performed in front of small audiences on a temporary stage set besides a stone wall enclosure facing the lake.
In 1982, Hugh Wolff, then conductor of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Orchestra, performed a special concert with a mid-sized chamber orchestra. Beneath the shade of the magnificent Sanctuary trees, the ensemble entertained scores with the music of Mozart, Mendelssohn and Schuman. The fitting finale to this cultural performance was a feast prepared by caterer Marcia Dunsmore - a superb buffet luncheon made all the more enjoyable by the tranquil surroundings of Trout Lake.
In 1983, the Wildflower Music Festival,
the brainchild of Board Member Henry M. Skier, was officially
launched when a generous gift from the Abram M. and Mabel B. Skier Foundation enabled the
construction of the Wildflower Theater in its present location on the Sanctuary
grounds. Brush and young trees were removed from a portion of the gently sloping
hill, creating a terraced viewing area, carpeted with lush grass and sheltered by ages-old
evergreens. Tall and stately, the trees conceal the outdoor amphitheater from the
surrounding fields and forest, acting as a symbolic barrier against intrusions from the
outside world.
At the first Wildflower concert in August of 1983, Mother Nature welcomed music lovers by providing a bright, pleasant Sunday evening as a backdrop for the musical performance, while several deer - perhaps attracted by the music - browsed in a nearby field.
Early leadership in development and management was provided by Sally Preate Bohlin, Harvey Fielder, Jack Mangan and Mark Eggenberger, with artistic direction by Ernie Ragognini and Jeth Mill.
In 1995, Judi Mortensen became
the newest in a long line of volunteer directors of the Wildflower Music
Festival. Along with her husband Helge, who served as Financial
Director of the Music Festival, Judi continued the tradition of quality
entertainment established by her predecessors. The Mortensen's
commitment raised attendance to record levels.
Judi passed the reins of artistic direction to Jane Zwillinger Ables in1999, who worked with a dedicated music committee until her death in 2005.
Kyler Brown became the artistic director in 2006, and the 2007 season represents his first full year of performer selections.
Throughout the years, the Wildflower Festival has drawn on the talents of Sanctuary employees Tom Dein, Hank Loftus, Roberta and the Sanctuary's new Executive Director, Joan Gilner. Their support, and the efforts of a dedicated team of volunteers, have helped make the Wildflower Music Festival such a success during the past 25 years.
Over
the years, the Saturday evenings concerts have
included such notable performers as Tom Chapin, Butch Thompson, Johnny Costa, Ethel Ennis,
The Charlie Byrd Trio, Marian McPartland, Arlo Guthrie, The Kingston Trio,
Linda Eder, Marcus Roberts, Jesse Cook and many other luminary talents too numerous to
mention. Attracting as it does a wide audience of local supporters and weekend visitors,
the Wildflower Music Festival has firmly established itself as the premier cultural event
in the area.
As we embark on our 25th festival season, we trust you'll agree the Wildflower Music Festival is a marvelous journey into the realm of music set against the majesty of natural beauty.