August 27-30, 2021
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
St. Mary’s City, Maryland
Artist Faculty: Beverly Babcock, Brian Ganz, and Eliza Garth
VISION AND MISSION
The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenaline
but rather the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.”
-Glenn Gould
Piano Festival by the River is a yearly summer retreat for pianists at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a place to focus completely on the piano in community with other pianists and piano lovers, guided by Artist Faculty members Beverly Babcock, Brian Ganz, and Eliza Garth.
Each person who comes to the piano — and to Piano Festival by the River — does so by way of an individual path. The variety in these paths is honored and appreciated here; what we all share is a passion for one of the most beautiful and demanding musical instruments in the world, and the extraordinary music that has been composed for it.
At Piano Festival by the River you may meet a young pianist in the midst of conservatory studies, a talented college or high-school student, a serious adult amateur with professional pursuits in another field, or a piano teacher. You will get to know our artist faculty, enjoy conversation and exploration with them, and hear them in action, teaching and performing – and learning, too!
In addition to two daily master classes, Piano Festival by the River offers recital performances by our master teachers and private instruction with them, Participants’ Recitals, and social activities for participants and faculty.
The Piano Festival by the River offers two options for participation. Please check out our “Participants” page to explore the possibilities, and feel free to contact Festival Director Eliza Garth at ehgarth@smcm.edu with any questions.
We hope that Piano Festival by the River will give you an opportunity to leave other concerns behind for a few days, to recharge and challenge yourself, to be inspired by and to inspire others, to explore in community, to make friendships, and to receive support in your musical journey as you give support to others in theirs.