Music, music everywhere

WCM’s two-week celebration set to resound around the region

REGION — One of the great musical events of the summer every year in this region is the annual two-week music festival held by The Weekend of Chamber Music. That festival is set to commence this coming Sunday with a free open-air concert at 3:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Presbyterian church on Main Street in Jeffersonville, NY.

The Jeffersonville Chamber of Commerce will get into the act on that opening day as well, holding a Downtown Arts Day that will also feature a quality craft fair in the farmers’ market parking lot, with pottery, jewelry, photography and more by local artists and artisans, who will be there to meet and greet the public. (See below).

For the next two weeks, there will be not only music but talk about music, food and music, family and music. At two “Café Concerts with Panache!,” supper at local restaurants—Hills Country Inn in Callicoon Center, NY and Settlers Inn in Hawley, PA—fine dining will be followed by chamber music performances. Two “Music Talks!” will give the audience the opportunity to learn something about the composer and musician’s perspectives on music. At two “At Work & Play Behind the Notes” performances, open rehearsals will give the audience a chance at a behind-the-scenes look at world class artists. Two gala Saturday concerts will celebrate the centenary for two composers: Olivier Messiaen and Elliott Carter. The concluding Family Day Sunday will feature music from China, with actor Paul Austin narrating Chinese fables in an interactive family event.

It’s an opportunity for people of all ages and all budget levels to listen, learn about and appreciate music played by artists of the highest ability.

Times, locations and cost

Sunday, July 13: Downtown Arts Day. Jeffersonville, NY. Concert, 3:00 p.m. Free. Preceded by crafts show, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 15: Café Concert with Panache. Hills Country Inn, Callicoon Center, NY. Dinner and concert. $55.

Thursday, July 17: Music Talks. Illustrated talk by Nathan A. Randall on composer Olivier Messiaen. Western Sullivan Public Library, Jeffersonville Branch, Jeffersonville, NY. $10.

Friday, July 18: At Work and Play Behind the Notes. Eddie Adams Barn, Jeffersonville, NY. Free.

Saturday, July 19: Gala Saturday, with works by Messiaen, Haydn and more. Followed by meet-the-artists reception. $25; free for students 18 and under. Eddie Adams Barn.

Tuesday, July 22: Café Concert with Panache. Settlers Inn, Hawley, PA. Dinner and concert. $55.

Thursday, July 24: Music Talks. Cellist Caroline Stinson in conversation and performance of Bach’s music for solo cello. SAMBA, Main Street, Jeffersonville, NY. $15.

Friday, July 25: At Work and Play Behind the Notes. Eddie Adams Barn. Free.

Saturday, July 26: Gala Saturday Concert, with works by Elliott Carter, Bach and Martinu. Eddie Adams Barn.

Sunday, July 27: Family Day Sunday. Interactive family event in which Music from China artists perform on traditional Chinese instruments and actor Paul Austin narrates Chinese fables. Eddie Adams Barn. $10; free for students 18 and under.