The Matthay Festival is designed to offer participants direct and
concentrated access to the teaching principles of Tobias Matthay (1858-1945) as they apply at
all levels, including that of the performing artist. Daytime sessions
include lectures, demonstrations, performances, and master classes, and
a recital is held each evening.
The year 2009 marks the fifty-second annual gathering. Previous Matthay
Festivals have taken place at many locations throughout North America,
including Philips Academy at Andover, the University of Maryland, the
University of Central Florida, the Royal Conservatory of Music in
Toronto, San Jose State University, Williams College, Pennsylvania
State University, the University of South Carolina, the University of Kansas, Columbus State University,
the University of
Richmond, King College, Union University, and East Carolina University.
Wittenberg University, located in Springfield, Ohio, is a nationally recognized liberal arts college affiliated
with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Eight thriving pre-professional programs
contribute to the educational experience of
its students, 70 percent of whom pursue graduate studies.
Wittenberg's stunning 95-acre rolling, wooded campus, located 25 miles northeast of Dayton and 40 miles west of Columbus, combines an impressive blend of traditional
European classicism and contemporary architectural styles.
Festival events will be held in Krieg Hall (right), home to the John M. Chowning Laboratory for Music and Technology, and acoustical instruments including 23 grands, five pipe organs, two harpsichords, and over 100 orchestral instruments. Some events will be held in Wittenberg's beautiful Weaver Chapel, whose elegant stained glass windows have been featured in National Geographic. The Chapel houses a 51-rank, 3000-pipe Reuter organ and a 9-foot Bösendorfer concert grand.
Festival particpants have been granted exclusive occupancy of Wittenberg's Polis House, specially designed to function
as an international living and learning environment during the academic year.
Its amenities include a large TV lounge, a computer lounge, a coin-operated laundry room, and a basement lounge with a full-size refrigerator and microwave.
The Polis House has 24 rooms, 11 of which are singles, and all rooms are air conditioned with internet access. For those who do
not wish to purchase the Festival package, individual rooms can be obtained at the rate of $25 a night, space permitting.
Accommodations are also available at the Courtyard by Marriott, (937) 322-3600.
The hotel is conveniently located on Springfield's Fountain Avenue, just a 10-minute walk from the Music building.
Located adjacent to the beautiful Heritage Center
of Clark County, the Courtyard balances a sense of history and urbanity by featuring beautiful art works, comforting fountains, and a park-like setting. It is situated just minutes from
a variety of antique shops, Frank Lloyd Wright's magnificent Westcott House, the picturesque
Springfield Museum of Art, and much more.
For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the Mela Urban Bistro, located just off the lobby, offers creative, outstanding dining selections. Festival particpants
who wish to stay at the Courtyard should identify themselves as attending a Wittenberg
event to obtain the preferred rate of $95 a night.
Meals will be taken at Wittenberg's beautiful Benham-Pence Student Center (left), located two short blocks from the Polis House
and directly across the street from Krieg Hall. For those who do not choose to particpate in the Festival meal plan,
a special commuter rate of lunch and dinner is offered for $125. Meals can also be purchased a la cart.
On Friday evening, June 19, an elegant Festival banquet will be held in the University's Joseph C. Shouvlin Center (right),
connected to the Student Center by an enclosed, elevated walkway. A reception featuring wine and imported cheeses will begin at 5:30, and dinner
will be served at 6:15. The entree choices are grilled basil chicken, New York strip steak, or a vegetarian option consisting of
roasted stuff pepper with wild rice. The price (all inclusive) is $38.
One of Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest early masterpieces, the Burton J. Westcott House,
has recently undergone a multi-million-dollar restoration, and is now open to the public. Construction on Wright's design,
the only home in Ohio from his "Prairie" period, began in 1907, and the house and surrounding grounds have been faithfully
restored with extreme accuracy.
A special tour has been arranged for Festival participants on Wednesday, June 17,
accompanied by Association member Stephen Siek, who has written and lectured extensively on the house. The Westcott House is only minutes from the Wittenberg
campus and the tour takes just under an hour.
Springfield is located immediately north of Interstate 70, which is easily reached from both Port Columbus International Airport (left), about 40 miles away, and from Dayton International Airport (right), about 30 miles away.
Festival Program
Festival Registration
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