Songfest

Songfest is a training program and festival for classical singers and pianists. It is considered to be the finest festival or art song in the Unites States. Songfest 2023 was held at Vanderbilt University, Blair School of Music. There were 65 participants ranging in age from 20-32. They were from all the major music schools nationwide, and from Canada, South America, Germany and Asia. The rental costs at SFCM were significantly higher after Covid. Songfest no longer receives grants from The Getty Foundation, The Marc and Eva Stern Foundation and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. This was a loss of approx $44,000 as these grants were specific to Southern California organizations. Private donations were down also. Administrative personnel were furloughed. Rosemary Ritter, director, is the only administrator on payroll. Musically, the program continues to flourish.