Bartlesville’s annual OK MOZART Festival is one of the leading summer music festivals in the United States. Once a small three-day event, it is now, 25 years later, a nine-day celebration bringing the best and brightest musicians and artists to the small, cosmopolitan town in northern Oklahoma.

ConocoPhillips has been OK MOZART’s largest corporate sponsor for many years. In addition to a financial donation, the company sends a wave of volunteers to help stage the event.

“This event would not be possible without the support from ConocoPhillips,” said Scott Black, executive director, OK MOZART. “Since concert ticket sales account for less than 25 percent of the funds required, OK MOZART greatly depends on its support.”

One of the festival’s biggest supporters, not to mention fans, is Robert Ridge, ConocoPhillips' vice president, Health, Safety and Environment. “OK MOZART is a world class event. Being a lover of music of all kinds, it is very satisfying to have this caliber event occur in our community," Ridge said.

The festival features eight evening and two matinee music and dance performances, 10 daytime chamber concerts, and more than 75 showcase events. Such an operation requires months of planning, as well as local volunteers willing to give time and energy. This year, some 200 were needed.

“Many of our volunteers are ConocoPhillips employees or family members of employees who assist with all aspects of the festival, from taking tickets to providing artist hospitality to serving on fundraising and special events committees,” Black said. “They also arrange transportation for many guest artists to and from the Tulsa airport, a huge job since flight itineraries constantly change.”

Ridge said the help is a testament to the company’s commitment to local communities. “Our core values state, ‘We are a good neighbor and citizen in the community.’ Supporting events like OK MOZART is one way we accomplish that goal.”