ONCE Group - Conclusion

Conclusion

The essence of ONCE is difficult to capture in a single sentence. ONCE meant several things, sometimes simultaneously and sometimes changing as the festival evolved. ONCE was clearly dedicated to presenting and making accessible new and innovative compositions. The festival was also about many other aspects of music as well, from community performances to artistic entrepreneurship. From examining the music through first person interviews, one aspect of ONCE is definitely clear: ONCE members’ dedication to the cause and commitment to experimentation and risk-taking had an intense and personal impact on its composers, its performers, and its audiences. Nearly a half-century after ONCE began, ONCE participants still talk about ONCE with enthusiasm that makes apparent the imprint the festival made on their lives, both as musicians and active community members.