On June 19, 2021, the Rite of Summer Music Festival will present its 10^th Anniversary Season, with free, outdoor concerts on Governors Island in New York City.

The festival will kick off with orchestral ensemble The Knights, in a concert featuring works by Vivaldi, Villa-Lobos, Rodrigo, Ravel, Boulanger, Montgomery, and more. The next performance will be on September 18, featuring the NYC premiere of John Luther Adams’ “Ten Thousand Birds.” Performed by Alarm Will Sound, the work is based on the songs of birds that are native to (or migrate through) the American northeast and midwest.

Both ROS concerts will be performed twice, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., at Nolan Park. Audiences are encouraged to walk by, as well as bring picnic blankets and lunch, to make the most of the outdoor setting.

“Summertime traditionally brings rejuvenation and reconnection,” says Artistic Director Blair McMillen. “We want this summer, in particular, to feel like a reconnection with all of you. Come join us for our 10th Anniversary season, set outdoors amongst the spacious lawns and trees of Nolan Park. We are ecstatic that two of the most exciting and boundary-pushing ensembles in the country – The Knights and Alarm Will Sound – will be performing at ROS this summer. Both of these very special shows, each in their own marvelously unique way, will enable us to reconnect: to sound, to nature, to the outdoors, and to each other. Thank you for your continued support amidst a very surreal past year. We are so happy to be back, and we can’t wait to see you in June and September. Be well, stay healthy, and we’ll see you out on the Island.”