Arts

The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra premieres a new work

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The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra honors the memory of Percy Browning by premiering a new work commissioned in her honor. We hear from the composer of that work, Seth Grosshandler, about his composition process.  We also meet the soloist, clarinetist Michael Wayne, about the work he performs, the Clarinet Concerto by Carl Nielsen, and why such a major work for clarinet is played so rarely. If you would like to hear some of Mr. Grosshandler’s music, here is a link to the Violin Sonata he mentions, played by Christina Bouey.  

Photo credit: Cayuga Chamber Orchestra

Arts

Glassfest is back in Corning

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Glassfest returns to the Gaffer District of Corning. Executive Director Coleen Fabrizi joins us to give us a hint of the many events taking place during the three days of the festival.  

Photo credit: Glassfest and Alexandra Elise Photography

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Music for Trombone Ensemble

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The Trombone Quartet of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes is presenting a concert at North Presbyterian Church.  Trombonist Norm Wilcox joins us to talk about the program, and about the history of music specifically for Trombone Ensemble, dating back to the Eastman School of Music.  

Photo credit: Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

The Euclid Quartet adds an extra cello for a special work by Schubert

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The Friends of Music of Stamford, NY welcome the Euclid String Quartet this weekend.  We heard from violinist Jameson Cooper about the two works on the program, Claude Debussy’s one and only string quartet, and a string quintet by Franz Schubert.  The extra member for the quintet is cellist Adrian Daurov.  Mr. Cooper also tells us how the quartet got its name.  

Photo credit:  Stamford Friends of Music

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

“From the New World” and back again

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The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra closes its season with Antonin Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, “from the New World”, along with a work by American composer Stacy Garrop’s “Bohemian Cafe” which returns Dvořák’s favor.  Artistic Director Daniel Hege joins us to talk about the relationship of the two pieces, and the performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2 with soloist Andrew Russo

 

Photo credit: Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

A celebration of French composer Cesar Franck

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Organist Mark Laubach is celebrating the  bicentennial of French composer Cesar Franck by performing the complete works for organ.  Sponsored by the Binghamton AGO, the Wilkes-Barre musician performs a selection of those in Binghamton at United Presbyterian Church on Friday, April 22.  He joins us to talk about Franck’s legacy, and deep influence on the generations of organist who followed him.  

Photo credit: Mark Laubach

Arts

Two choral concerts on the same day will include a world premiere

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The Southern Tier Singers’ Collective presents the premiere of a Mass by composer Zanaida Robles. STSC Artistic Director William Culverhouse talks about commissioning this work for the STSC performance on Sunday, April 24 in St. Patrick’s Church, and the weekend residency of Dr. Robles at Binghamton University featuring performances by the University choral ensembles. You can hear some of Dr. Robles’ music here.  

Photo credit: Southern Tier Singers’ Collective

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

The story of Cinderella updated to the 1950s in a collaborative production

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Tri-Cities Opera is presenting Gioachino Rossini’s setting of the tale of Cinderella in a joint production with Syracuse Opera.  It’s a different version of the tale, with a stepfather instead of a stepmother, a wise tutor instead of a fairy godmother, and matching bracelets instead of a glass slipper — but lots of laughs.  We hear from executive director John Rozzoni, Camille Sherman who plays Cinderella, and Aaron Crouch who plays the Prince.  

Photo credit: Tri-Cities Opera

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

A rarely-performed work of sacred American music is sung by the Madrigal Choir

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Leo Sowerby was a major composer of sacred music.  The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton joins with the choir of Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church for a performance of his cantata “Forsaken of Man’. We hear from the accompanist, Bill Trafka, who has wanted to perform it for a long time, and learn about Sowerby and this rarely-performed masterpiece.  

Photo credit: Madrigal Choir of Binghamton

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

The Cayuga Vocal Ensemble goes on the road

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The Cayuga Vocal Ensemble presents “The Spirit Sings” in two performances, one in Ithaca and another in Seneca Falls.  Artistic Director Sean Linfors joins us to talk about the themes of the concert,  the long break the ensemble had during the shut-down, and the excitement accompanying the premiere of a new work.  

Photo credit: Cayuga Vocal Ensemble

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

STAR performs an off-beat play by George Bernard Shaw

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Forget Pygmalion, Caesar and Cleopatra, Heartbreak House, or The Devil’s Disciple.  George Bernard Shaw’s Too True to Be Good is an absurdist romp through history with a microbe who makes a patient sick, and she returns the favor by making the microbe sick.  Director Chris Nickerson and actor Bill Gorman join us a guides through this quirky comedy.  

Photo credit: Southern Tier Actors Read

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Young string players perform in Delhi

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The Little Delaware Youth Ensemble and Preparatory Orchestra return to performing live with a concert on Sunday, March 13 in the United Ministry Church of Delhi. Music Director joins us to talk about the concert by the older orchestra, with pieces performed by the Preparatory Orchestra led by Deborah Devine. To hear some performances, click here.  

Photo credit:  Little Delaware Youth Ensemble

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

A new opera in Ithaca is both a love story and a clash between cultures and values

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Opera Ithaca is presenting the premiere of a new opera, We Wear the Sea Like a Coat.  We hear from the composer, Sally Lamb McCune, and Artistic Director, Ben Robinson. They tell us about the gestation of the opera which began with a chance meeting in the Orkney Islands and grew into a poetic, but dramatic story.  

Photo credit: Opera Ithaca

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

The OSFL celebrates musical diversity and music in our schools

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The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes is presenting “Musica Diversa”. We hear from Music Director Toshiyuki Shimada about this wide-ranging concert featuring music by Florence Price, Arturo Marquez, Bright Sheng, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and William Grant Still. The pianist in the Rachmaninoff is Christopher Tillen.  

Photo credit: Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

A musical journey from darkness to light onstage at Binghamton University

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The Binghamton University Music Department is presenting Mozart’s comic opera The Magic Flute in two performances with two casts.  Stage Director David Toulson joins us to talk about this story of a prince and princess on a path to enlightenment, with a lot of laughs along the way. The opera will also be live-streamed on Friday night and Sunday afternoon. 

Photo credit: Binghamton University Music Department

Arts

Music for clarinet from south of the equator

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Clarinetist Timothy Perry joins us to talk about a special program of music, mostly from south of the equator, that he and pianist Pej Reitz have been exploring over the past few years. The concert, Musica Australis, is Friday, February 18 at 7:30 in the Casadesus Recital Hall on the Binghamton University campus.  

Photo credit: Photo by Iain Cridland on Unsplash and Binghamton University Music Department

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Rachael Sage joins Howard Jones at the Hangar Theatre

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DSP Shows is presenting the Howard Jones Trio with guest artist singer/songwriter Rachael Sage in the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca. Rachael Sage joins us to talk about her many albums, as well as her many collaboration with other musicians.  She also talks about her Poetica project and the different aspects of writing poetry versus writing songs.  

Photo credit: Rachael Sage

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

An artist disrupts the life of a quiet family in a comedy at Know Theatre

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Know Theatre of Binghamton presents Annie Baker’s Body Awareness. A famous photographer challenges a quiet family in Vermont, and is challenged himself in this comedy of academia.  Director Tim Gleason and actor Chris Nickerson join us to talk about the battle lines that are drawn, re-drawn, and the secrets that are revealed.  

Photo credit: Know Theatre

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

A woman’s complicated relationship with her doctor is the basis for a new play

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Novelist Carson McKenna presents her first play. It is about an agoraphobic young woman dealing with her isolation.   She and director Missy Harris talk about the play and the cast, which includes a doctor playing a doctor, and a lawyer playing a lawyer. For more information: carsonmckenna88@gmail.com

 

Photo credit: Yellow Robin Photography

Arts

The OSFL presents holiday favorites, an aerial violinist, and new music

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The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes presents a concert of traditional music for Christmas and Hanukkah, as well as new music by composer Polina Nazaykinskaya.  We hear from the composer, and from Music Director Toshiyuki Shimada. The concert also features aerial violinist Janice Martin.  

Photo credit: OSFL

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

An annual tradition is back

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The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton returns to its annual tradition of Lessons and Carols for Christmas.  Artistic Director Bruce Borton joins us to talk about the wide variety of music presented in this free concert at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church in Binghamton. Photo credit: Madrigal Choir of Binghamton

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

500 years of fashion created from paper

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“Isabelle de Borchgrave: Fashioning Art from Paper” is an exhibit on display through January 9, 2022 in the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute Museum. Deputy Director and Chief Curator Stephen Harrison joins us to describe these historically accurate fashions, fabricated from paper.  

Photo credit: Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute

Arts

The Southern Tier Singers’ Collective performs music from a rare manuscript

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Two years ago Binghamton University acquired a famous manuscript of music from the Convent of La Crocetta in Florence, Italy.  Associate Professor of Musicology Paul Schleuse tells the story of its journey from its origin in 1543 to Binghamton University.  Then the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective, prepared by William Culverhouse, performs a selection of excerpts from the manuscript.

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Music from the 16th century is heard once more

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The Southern Tier Singers’ Collective presents excerpts from a 16th century manuscript created for the Convent of La Crocetta in Florence. Paul Schleuse describes its creation and its mysterious journey from Italy to South America, and the exciting story of how it was acquired by Binghamton University, then conductor William Culverhouse continues the story with how it got from the page to the singers.  

Photo credit: Binghamton University and the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

The BPO introduces recent music of a new composer, plus two familiar works

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In its second concert of the season, the Binghamton Philharmonic presents “Ascend”, a program including music by Richard Wagner, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and emerging composer Jessie Montgomery (pictured above).  Music Director Daniel Hege joins us to talk about discovering the music of Jessie Montgomery, the astonishing artistry of Mozart’s Symphony No.41, and Wagner’s Christmas present to his wife, and the conductor who taught himself to play the trumpet in the middle of a lake so that he could participate in the premiere.  

Photo credit: Binghamton Philharmonic and Alice G. Patterson

alex mendoza

A real-life friendship portrayed in song

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The correspondence between singer Patsy Cline and a fan who grew to be a treasured friend is the basis for Always, Patsy Cline presented by SRO Productions.  Director George Kurbaba talks about the true story of this friendship and how it translates to the stage.  

Photo credit: SRO Productions

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

A Busy Actor Brings Her Storytelling Stand-up Comedy to the Firehouse Stage

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You’ve heard her on Snap Judgment or possibly seen her on shows like Dead to Me, American Horror Story, The Middle, or Curb Your Enthusiasm.  Jen Kober brings her hilarious award-winning stories to the Firehouse Stage on Saturday, October 23. She talks about growing up in Louisiana entertaining her mother, her friends and eventually, audiences.  

Photo credit: Firehouse Stage

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

A Tour-de-force for Violin with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra

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Cayuga Chamber Orchestra concertmaster Christina Bouey is the soloist in this weekend’s concert at Ford Hall on the Ithaca College campus.  She speaks with us about her deep love for Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, and the story behind the composition of the concerto.  The overture to the comic opera The Bartered Bride by Bedřich Smetana and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 are also on the program.  

Photo credit: Cayuga Chamber Orchestra

Arts

Celebrating Beethoven

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After a year of not singing, the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton presents a concert intended for last year’s proposed Beethoven festival.  Music Director Bruce Borton speaks to us about some of Beethoven’s smaller and lesser know works they will be performing.  

Photo credit: Madrigal Choir of Binghamton

Arts

Hallowe’en Comes Early to the Broome County Forum

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The Binghamton Theatre Organ Society welcomes theatre organist Jason Comet to supply music for the 1920 German silent horror film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.  Jason tells us how he assembles a score to accompany a silent film, and how this ground-breaking film became a classic.  

Photo credit: Binghamton Theatre Organ Society

Arts

The BPO Opens its Season with Two Familiar Works and an Exciting New Piece

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The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the Broome County Forum after a long hiatus with “Emerge”, a program featuring Haydn’s last symphony, Mendelssohn’s famous violin concerto with young violinist Julian Rhee, and a recent work, “Pizzicato” by composer Vivian Fung. Music Director Daniel Hege joins us, along with the composer of “Pizzicato”. We hear how Maestro Hege discovered “Pizzicato” and immediately knew that he had to program it, and we hear about the work of this busy young composer.  

Photo credit: Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra

andrea gregori

Much-Loved Musical Takes the Stage in Endicott

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The Endicott Performing Arts Center and Theatre Street Productions are teaming up once again for performances of the beloved musical Man of La Mancha. Director Patrick Foti and actor Andrea Gregori join us to talk about the production and the play’s journey from being a non-musical television drama to becoming the Broadway musical that has been translated into more languages than any other.  

Photo credit: EPAC and Theatre Street Productions

Arts

It’s Time for Laughs at the Cider Mill Stage

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Terrence McNally’s backstage comedy “It’s Only a Play” is performed at Cider Mill Stage. We hear from Kate Murray and Rob Egan of the production company BLAST about their new theatrical venture and this irreverent comedy about opening night jitters that opens the BLAST season.  

Photo credit: BLAST Presents

Arts

Tri-Cities Opera Hosts the U.S. Army Field Band for the Performance of a New Opera

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“The Falling and the Rising” is a new opera formed from interviews with many soldiers. It is being performed at the Broome County Forum.  Tri-Cities Opera General Director John Rozzoni and tenor SFC Ben Hilgert talk about the genesis of the opera and the many veterans services that will be available at the performance.  

Photo credit: Tri-Cities Opera

 

 

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Three Concerts in One Weekend

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The First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville, NY again hosts the annual Labor Day weekend concerts by the Millenium Strings, musicians from the Magic Mountain Music Farm. We hear from the founder, Burton Kaplan, violinist Marvin Suson, and hard-working pianist Cullan Bryant.  

Photo credit:  Magic Mountain Music Farm

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Fun Music at the Forum for Labor Day

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The WFM Festival Orchestra presents a Labor Day weekend concert. Conductor Daniel Fabricius and orchestra member David Ripic join us to talk about the program, how this orchestra differs from most large ensembles, and some music of historical importance played for the first time in this century. And we finally find out what “WFM” stands for.  

Photo credit: WFMFO

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Two Interrelated Art Exhibits in Utica

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The Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute Museum is presenting two complementary art exhibits. One is a traveling exhibit of work by African-American artist Emma Amos and the other is work from the permanent collection reflecting on Amos’ work.  Curator Mary Murray talks about these interrelated exhibits.  

Photo credit: Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Two Styles of Playing the Violin

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The Town of Binghamton Historical Society is presenting a workshop led by violinist/fiddler Ed Pettengill on “How to Play Old Tyme Fiddle”. Ed joins us to demonstrate the difference between the two styles, and to talk about how classical violin playing and fiddle can help each other.  All violinists are welcome.  Students should be able to play at least NYSSMA grade 3 music.  For reservations, call (607) 669-4151.  

Photo credit: Ed Pettengill

A Famous Play Receives a Sequel

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Franklin Stage Company presents Lucas Hnath’s “A Doll’s House, Part 2”. We hear from Leslie Noble, who plays Nora, about the play and what happened after the famous closing of the door. She also talks about the joys of performing in front of a live audience after a long break.  

Photo credit: Russ Rowland via Franklin Stage Company

Arts

Hamilton-Gibson Productions Stage a Comedy with an Unusual Premise

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A woman’s impatience with a fellow diner at a restaurant leads her down a rabbit hole into his life.  Sarah Ruhl’s comedy Dead Man’s Cell Phone comes to Wellsboro from long-time theatre company Hamilton-Gibson Productions.  We hear from the director, the actor portraying the main character, and the actor playing the titular “dead man.”  

Photo credit: Hamilton-Gibson Productions

Arts

The Geneva Music Festival is Back!

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The Geneva Music Festival is returning with a series of live and online concerts with a large range of musical genres.  We hear from the artistic director, and also one of the performers, Geoffrey Herd.  

Photo credit: Geneva Music Festival

Arts

Know Theatre Works Around COVID Restrictions to Present a Play

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We are all using technology in new ways during this pandemic. Know Theatre is presenting Robert Patrick’s “One Person: A Monologue”. Tim Gleason joins us to talk about this ingenious play about two people, the technology involved, and the fascinating life story of the author.  

Photo credit: Know Theatre

Arts

By Special Invitation: The Finest In Local Performances

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By Special Invitation presents a stunning line-up of world-class musicians who perform classical music concerts around our region. From a preserved barn in the idyllic setting of the western Catskills and a Binghamton Opera Company to a concert stage at Ithaca College, By Special Invitation invites you to witness music performance recorded specifically for WSKG Classical. These performances can be heard Saturdays at 10:00 a.m, and at your convenience by clicking on the concerts listed below.  

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

An Inside Look at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions

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A native of Waterloo, NY, mezzo-soprano Lindsay Kate Brown was one of nine finalists in the Grand Finals Concert, out of thousands of singers from around the world.  She talks to us by phone from Houston, where she is with the Houston Grand Opera, about the process, and about a dizzying week when she sang in the Metropolitan Opera Grand Finals Concert, and won another competition just two days before.  

Photo credit: Kristin Hoebermann

"Arts In Depth" with WSKG Host Bill Snyder

Creation of a World of Sound

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Two different presentations offer The World According to Sound and Cornell According to Sound at the Cherry Artspace.  We hear from sound artists Chris Hoff and Sam Harnett.  They explain these unique sonic experiences and how the recorded and winnowed natural sounds into aural performances.  

Photo credit: World According to Sound

affiliated choruses of ithaca

Joy and Inspiration in Song

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VOICES Multicultural Chorus presents their Fall Concert ‘We Can Be Kind: Joy and Inspiration in Song’ https://acithaca.org/groups/voices/on Sunday, December 7 at 4pm in Ithaca’s First Baptist Church.  Artistic Director Lorrene Adams joins us to talk about finding uplifting music to inspire the audience, and the inspiration she finds in leading the ensemble.  

Photo credit: Affiliated Choruses of Ithaca

Arts

Music at Fishs Eddy Announces Three Concerts this Summer

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Opening with a concert by a gamelan ensemble, Music at Fishs Eddy continues with music for guitar and harpsichord.  Artistic Director Joyce Lindorff talks about the history of the festival, and about its venue, the Old Pioneer Church.  

Photo credit: Music at Fishs Eddy