[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BOWDOIN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY 
                                 SEASON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 6, 2004

  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, this summer marks the 40th anniversary season 
of the world-renowned Bowdoin International Music Festival. I take 
particular pride in this program, which is housed on the beautiful 
campus of my alma mater, Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine, in my 
Congressional District.
  Each summer for 6 weeks, more than 200 gifted young musicians of 
graduate, college and high school levels gather here from around the 
globe. They learn from and perform with some of the best teaching and 
performing musicians in the world. In this international community, 
students and faculty thrive in an intense but joyful atmosphere. The 
program consists of individual classes and practice, chamber coaching 
and group practice, master classes, and numerous performance 
opportunities. These include student concerts and an outreach program, 
in which students perform at local venues such as retirement homes and 
resorts. The public is also invited to the festival's ``MusicFest,'' a 
formal chamber music series that features festival artists and 
internationally-renowned guest artists, ``Upbeat!,''a mix of 
contemporary and traditional music in an informal atmosphere, and the 
week-long Charles E. Gamper Festival of Contemporary Music.
  The Bowdoin International Music Festival has furthered the artistic 
mastery of numerous students, enriched Maine's educational and cultural 
environment, and brought pleasure to thousands of listeners. I am 
confident that its success will continue for decades to come.

                          ____________________