Reimagined Penn’s Woods Music Festival Returns June 20-22 at Penn State

State College, PA – The Penn’s Woods Music Festival is poised for a significant return to Penn State this summer, offering a reimagined, intimate celebration of diverse musical forms from June 20 through June 22. After 17 years as a multi-week event, the festival has been condensed into a vibrant, concentrated weekend designed to foster deep connection and artistic excellence.

This year’s festival introduces a focused weekend format, highlighting chamber music, jazz, brass, and original settings of Shakespearean texts. The shift represents a strategic evolution, aiming to create a more intense and connected experience for both artists and attendees.

A Festival Reimagined

Ann Marie Stanley, director of the Penn State School of Music, commented on the broader transformation the festival is undergoing. “The festival is also undergoing a broader renewal,” she stated, underscoring the commitment to enhancing the event’s artistic vision and community engagement within the Penn State campus.

The festival’s condensed schedule promises a series of high-caliber performances across the three days. Among the featured ensembles is the Allegria Quartet, which is slated to perform Antonín Dvořák’s renowned American Quartet. This piece is a cornerstone of chamber music repertoire, offering a rich exploration of themes often associated with the composer’s time spent in the United States.

Further broadening the artistic scope, the festival will feature Firefly, a new professional faculty-led troupe originating from Penn State’s Centre Stage. Firefly will present “Love Hurts: Shakespeare’s funniest romantic feuds and sonnets set to original music.” This unique interdisciplinary performance blends classical literature with contemporary musical composition, promising an engaging and thought-provoking experience.

Historic Context and Future Vision

The festival’s history spans 17 years, previously presenting music over a two-week period. The decision to transition to a weekend format reflects a desire to concentrate artistic energy and create a more accessible, impactful experience. This strategic pivot is intended to revitalize the event while maintaining its legacy of bringing world-class music to the Penn State community.

While details on all performance venues within Penn State for the June 20-22 dates are forthcoming, the festival has a history of utilizing prominent campus locations. A previous performance, for instance, was held at The Arboretum at Penn State, showcasing the festival’s connection to the university’s diverse spaces.

Ticketing Information and Access

Admission to the Penn’s Woods Music Festival performances is ticketed. Reserved seating is available at a price of $34 for adults and $14 for students. For those wishing to enhance their festival experience, a Dessert Reception Combo ticket is offered. This package is priced at $44 for adults and $19 for students.

Potential attendees interested in the Dessert Reception Combo should note the advance purchase requirement; combo tickets necessitate purchase by June 18. Standard reserved admission tickets are expected to remain available closer to the event dates, though securing tickets in advance is generally recommended due to the festival’s intimate format.

The return of the Penn’s Woods Music Festival, with its focused programming and renewed vision, signals a significant cultural event for Penn State and the wider community, promising a weekend rich in diverse musical and theatrical experiences.