ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Rites of Spring Music Festival brings together excellent musicians, young and old, of different races, languages, religions and national origins. The calling of our organization is to offer the world, music and beauty that transcends difference and division.  RoSMF wants to become more fully familiar and connected with the whole of North Fork and East End of Long Island, a call that’s demanding, but also thrilling and deeply enriching.  We pledge also to partner with local businesses and other organizations committed to promoting the East End, combining music, the natural environment, and historical heritage.
 
Believing that the music we love belongs to everyone, we see the need for a far more diverse representation in our music schools and music venues.  And while this goal is central to our identity, critical to our mission, and felt in our hearts, we recognize, as an organization, that we still have yet to fully meet and embrace this call.  To face this challenge, we are committed to deepen our ability to bring together people from all walks of life, to embody the belief that we are all close and that this territory is our huge, immensely beautiful energy reservoir.
 
Our intent is to be able to develop sustainable habits and models through music and the arts for our communities without forgetting the main privilege of living on the North Fork and East End of Long Island which is the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and its beauties.  All of our activities this year are based on an approach that focuses on outdoor music experiences, artistic practices and community-based strategies, with the aim of increasing socialization skills, mutual respect and care for the surrounding environment.
 
These commitments proceed directly from our core values, our mission and our shared vision of what a concert series based on these foundations looks like.

Founder, Artistic & Executive Director
Paolo Bartolani

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE FESTIVAL

Individual donations play a major role in our organization’s growth, as income from ticket sales makes up only a small part of our operating budget. A donation to RoSMF is a direct investment in our artistic mission and supports the production of new and innovative concerts each season.
The challenges of last year and the forced cancellation of live music during the COVID-19 pandemic mean that your gift is more important than ever before. We remain committed to supporting our talented artists, presenting world-class music this season through online events, and – hopefully – by also becoming among the first arts presenters to return to live concerts just as soon as we can.

We invite you to join our Circle of Friends by making a fully tax-deductible donation today.

A gift of any amount will allow us to continue adding more performances and venues to our calendar, to branch out into new and adventurous projects, and to provide our audiences access to world class talents at affordable prices. In addition to the opportunity to hear young and talented artists on the rise, RoSMF offers residents, music lovers and visitors a chance to explore every corner of the beautiful North Fork. We hope you’ll join us on this exciting journey!