The strength, character, and history of the White Lake Chamber Music Festival continues to impact the White Lake area as it enters the 15th season of presenting an array of exceptional performances. Excellent programming, world-class artists, and inspiring classical music performances will take place from Aug. 2–10, 2024 in the White Lake area. What once was mostly found only in metropolitan cities, is now a yearly experience in the White Lake area.
During this nine-day classical music festival, there will be 17 varied concerts and recitals presented. Daily 4 p.m. Salon Concerts will take place at the Book Nook & Java Shop (8744 Ferry St., Montague). Each evening will feature unique classical music concerts, plus a Student Recital, a White Lake Community Library Children’s Event, open rehearsals, two Family Concerts, a Cabaret Night and more.
New to the 2024 Festival will be two fun-filled Family Concerts. The first Family Concert features “The Carnival of the Animals,” a humorous musical suite of 14 movements with narration showcasing animals represented by different instruments, by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. An Instrument Petting Zoo will start the evening out at 6 p.m., followed by the 7 p.m. Family Concert.The second Family Concert, “Enchanting Musical Stories,” will feature Peter and the Wolf - a symphonic folk tale written by the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev - and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Children’s imaginations will come alive as they are captivated by the dramatic story telling and enticing music.
The Grand opening night of the 2024 Festival entitled “Ah! Schubert!”, is packed with well-known music: Schubert’s Piano Sonata D.664, Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock for clarinet, soprano, and piano, Erlkönig D328 and Die Forelle Op. 32, D 550, and the finale – Schubert’s Trout Quintet.
Every evening concert is rich in offerings: Mozart Clarinet Quintet, Dover Beach Op. 3 for Voice and String Quartet by Samuel Barber, Shostakovich Piano Quintet, Mozart Kegelstatt Trio, Dvorak Piano Quintet No. 2, and so much more. Ending the Festival will be “The Heart & Soul of Russia” featuring music of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky with a grand finale of Souvenir de Florence Op.70 Sextet by Tchaikovsky.
The salon concerts offer a variety of performers: Dulcimer Diversions featuring Collins Trier performing original compositions, traditional folk and bluegrass, and musical storytelling; a Student Recital showcasing area piano, voice, and instrumental students; Jasmine Lin and Emily Nebel will perform a Violin Duo Recital; returning singers Angela De Venuto, soprano and Leo Radosavljevic, bass will present “Music and Letters by Clara and Robert Schumann”; Russian clarinetist Sergey Gutorov will perform works by Carl Maria Von Weber, Poulenc, Debussy, and more; and retired Chicago Symphony violist Bob Swan and Blue Lake Radio Host Foley Schuler will share on “Melodies That Touch You Forever”, music of Mozart, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky!
A well-received addition to last year’s Festival is making a comeback with a different twist. “Cabaret Night: Broadway Comes to White Lake” at the Book Nook & Java Shop will wrap up the 2024 Festival Aug. 10 with a grand celebration featuring singers Angela De Venuto and Leo Radosavljevic.
Evening concerts are just $20 and children/students are free for every event. Tickets are now available at the Book Nook & Java Shop (8744 Ferry St. Montague) or online on Eventbrite.
