For those of you who have not (like me, a few days ago) visited California or the Ojai Music Frestival- I can’t reccomend enough that you go. Unfortunately the 2009 OMF is done and gone- but it’s not to early to start thinking about 2010. Really! We will be presenting the west-coast premiere of George Benjamin’s Into Little Hill, a chamber opera based on the pied-piper fable. Reviews of this year’s goings-on can be seen at Sequenza21.

Here’s another from Culture Monster.

But if you like- read on and I’ll tell you about being behind stage… well, in my case, in the office across the street or behind a wandering photographer.

I came to Ojai on June 6th… it took me a bumpy plane ride, an expensive taxi trip, battles with spiders and bike cases to finally get settled in. But on June 8th, I began my duties as the marketing intern under Gina Gutierrez (8th yr. as marketing director). Of course, as an intern, I had to do my fair share of ‘gofering’ but I still had time to get a little taste about the world of marketing. At least on the level of a thriving music festival in its 63rd year.

Since I arrived a few days before the festival began, I am unable to imagine the hours and days and months of hard work required to effectively market such a grand event. On the last day of OMF, Gina was already personally contacting each season-ticket holder and reminding them to do the same for 2010. Over the year (or more) before the festival, the marketing director must contact press people, photographers, hotels for the press people, restaurants and who know what else to make sure everything runs smoothly. I know there is ample grant writing involved (that’s all @OjaiFestivals is Twttering about now!) not to mention contacting and booking artists, instruments, stage hands… the list could go on for quite a while. But again, I got there a few days before the festivities commenced, so it looked like smooth sailing to me.

I hope to work with or at a young festival, such as the Carlsbad Music Festival soon so I can see how a new festival gets started.

Until then, keep listening.