Juniper Performing Arts Music Festival: The C Major Project Sponsors the First Annual Concert
- Ryan Bearer
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
What was originally envisioned as a future project quickly became a present reality. Thanks to the enthusiasm and encouragement of fellow musicians at the University of Saint Thomas, a simple conversation about the need for more accessible performance opportunities, particularly in early music, evolved into a shared vision. With that support, we made the decision to bring a new music festival to life this year. Over the course of the month of May, that vision turned into reality. Recruitment for the festival chorale began, a venue was secured, repertoire was selected, and rehearsal and performance dates were established. By the beginning of June, rehearsals were already underway. The ensemble itself reflects this collaborative spirit, bringing together musicians from the University of Saint Thomas, UST alumni, Sam Houston State University, Lone Star College, and church musicians from across the greater Houston area.
I founded Juniper Performing Arts Music Festival with a simple but important goal: to provide young adult musicians at the beginning of their performance careers with meaningful opportunities to gain experience and grow, preparing them for a successful music career. Whether through a chorale, orchestra, or future opera productions, the organization aims to provide high-level performance opportunities while also supporting new and emerging voices in composition alongside the standard repertoire.
The name “Juniper”, from the Latin for evergreen or young growth, is both personal and symbolic—it is my son’s name, and the word itself is often associated with youth. This summer, the Juniper Chorale will present its inaugural Summer Music Festival concert on Saturday, August 1st at 7:00 PM at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Cypress, Texas. The program will feature a selection of unaccompanied choral works spanning multiple musical periods, including Renaissance, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary repertoire, performed by a newly formed ensemble of dedicated choristers. This effort would not have been possible without the dedication of several members of the ensemble working behind the scenes, including Robert Murillo, Brisa Cavazos, and Audrey Bearer. We are also deeply grateful to The C Major Project for sponsoring this first-time music festival. All proceeds raised go right back into providing more opportunities for musicians. The program will include works such as If Ye Love Me by Thomas Tallis, Ave Verum Corpus by W. A. Mozart, Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner, selections from Missa in Exsequiis Parvuli Baptizati by C. M. Bearer, and Ave Maria by R. J. Bearer.
This year’s festival marks just the beginning. With plans to expand in the future to include instrumentalists and larger-scale performances, Juniper Performing Arts is building toward a broader artistic vision for the community. Looking ahead, the organization also hopes to develop additional opportunities for younger musicians, including educational programs, mentorship, and potential scholarship and training initiatives designed to support the next generation of performers.
We invite you to join us on Saturday, August 1st at 7:00 PM at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Cypress, Texas for this inaugural performance and experience the beginning of what will become a lasting artistic presence in the community! Tickets are FREE and available at the link below. Donations to support the project are encouraged.
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