Forty-five years ago, Portland conductor John Trudeau and several friends were visiting Southern Oregon and stumbled upon the former hillside estate of Jacksonville pioneer Peter Britt. Being musicians, they immediately noticed an amazing resonance to the hillside's acoustics. Combined with the gorgeous view of the valley in the distance, they decided the hillside would be the perfect site for concerts.
In the summer of 1963, volunteers erected a makeshift stage of plywood and strung tin-can lights above. A small chamber orchestra was assembled and the Northwest's first summer outdoor music festival was born.
Britt offered classical music exclusively until the present pavilion was constructed in 1978. The new facility enabled expansion to the current multi-disciplinary format. Bench seats were added in 1987 and the handicapped access and restrooms were built in 1993.
With a maximum capacity of 2,200, Britt is financially able to afford world-class artists while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. The Britt Park is publicly owned by Jackson County and maintained by the Parks Department. The Britt Festivals Association is a non-profit performing arts organization which utilizes the Britt Park under a long-term lease with Jackson County.
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