ABOUT US

"Everything will pass, and the world will perish

but the Ninth Symphony will remain."

- Mikhail Bakunin

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About Black Rock Philharmonic

The Black Rock Philharmonic is a group of amateur and professional musicians from different camps all over the Playa that bring classical music and more to the Burning Man community.

Mission

Something new and rewarding on the Playa can come from something old and classic. The Black Rock Philharmonic musically fulfills that adage and is happy to share it with fellow Burners. We try to provide the Burning Man community with inspiring, relaxing, and memorable concerts that are engaging and ultimately, participatory (because: Burning Man–don’t just be a spectator!). Together with our audiences, we try to offer something unique from the electronic, amplified, bass-thumping fare that is now common on the Playa these days (and then we go dancing all night long as well, lol).

How We Work

The Black Rock Philharmonic is formed around a nucleus of a brain trust that guides the efforts of this dynamic, self-governing ensemble. We think it offers its members and audiences a different participatory presence to the Burning Man community. We present classical music in a place and in ways that up end and keep alive the traditional repertoire of the classical orchestra in new and unusual–and participatory–ways. Through a collaborative model, we try to provide inspiring concerts of music, both old and new.

History

2018 was our first official year, though many of us have performed in various bands, performances, groups since the beginnings of Burning Man. In 2018, a group of us decided to go forth and present a different take on live classical music on the Playa and that brought about the Black Rock Philharmonic. We have been fortunate to have more and more people (in 2022, over 100 sign ups and 88 performers on stage at our largest concert) join us in this experience.

Current Leadership of the Black Rock Philharmonic 2023

—Eric: Conductor
—Alyce: Concert Mistress
—Erin “Baby Giraffe: Public Relations and Communications
—Roger: Logistics
—Brianna: Ticket Czar and Help Coordinator
—Alex and Jay: Webmasters
—Photos: with thanks to many, but particularly, Josh and many others

"We are all notes in this beautiful concert of existence."
- Mozart in the Jungle

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Black Rock Philharmonic Team

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Site Credits

Art and Media 

(Dusty BoB) NYC

Jay Kravitz, rsneight Design

 

Photos

Josh Litwin, MementoPress.com

Duncan Richardson (Dust-in)

(Dusty BoB)

Lance Hathaway (Pie-Pie)

Hank Leiter (EspressoBuzz)

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Email:

Contact (at) BlackRockPhilharmonic (dot) org

Contact

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