Garden of Memory 2016

The annual summer solstice concert at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland did not disappoint this year.  It begins at 5 p.m. and ends spectacularly with an audience participation bell-ringing at sunset.  In between, scores of incredible musicians give simultaneous performances in the chapels, crypts, balconies, hallways, and gardens of the majestic multilevel building.

Playing pieces she commissioned for the unique altered tuning of her cello.

A few members of the beloved local Eastern European music group, celebrating its 37th season.

Media artist (voice, live electronic processing, sampled sound, and video), creating layers of intriguing complexity

A long line formed to play the Theremin with a Mills Music Professor

Summer Solstice celebrated with new music

The Chapel of the Chimes & Chapel of Memories is a maze of human-scaled, tiny to towering rooms, many hosting a musician or musicians for this annual fest. I have heard of this event but this was the first time I attended. It's a lovely building which was added on to over the years in an intriguing and graceful way.

Summer Solstice at the Chapel of the Chimes

"Garden of Memory" is an incredible annual event that you should not miss--a walk-through concert to celebrate the summer solstice at the Julia Morgan-designed Chapel of the Chimes, an Oakland Historic Landmark building.  A crematory and columbarium, the chapel is "a haven of peace and tranquility with an innovative array of gardens, cloisters, alcoves, stairwells, fountains and chapels" filled, for this event, with creative avant garde and experimental musicians.  The audience is free to wander and enjoy.  The evening ended with a communal bell ringing at sunset.  Thank you, founder Sarah Cahill and the sponsoring organization, New Music Bay Area.

People strolled, sat on benches and even leaned on statues  while enjoying the  music.

Henry Kaiser on guitar while Brenda Gale painted and then hung her  work on the wall behind.

In the Chimes Chapel waiting for  the a cappella group, Kitka, to perform

Playing the film music of Nino Rota and Ennio Morricone on the outdoor terrace.
 

Drummer John Hanes