<< Back 7/3/02 Annual chamber music series kicks off in Highlands SMN Headquartered in Highlands, the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival brings together some of the world’s finest musicians to perform music from the chamber repertoire in an intimate setting. This is the 21st year of the festival. Friday night “Spotlight Series” concerts are at 8 p.m. in Highlands (all Highlands performances are at the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center); Saturday (5 p.m.) and Monday (7:30 p.m.) concerts are in Cashiers (all Cashiers performances are at the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Library ); and Sunday (5 p.m.) and Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) concerts are in Highlands. This season’s 21st chamber music series will include the added Friday night “Spotlight Series” in Highlands to showcase specific performers and ensembles. Many concerts sold out last season, so potential patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets as far in advance as possible. Musicians include the Eroica Trio, Duo Crescendo (with pianists Haruni Hanafusa and William Ransom), the Vega String Quartet and others. This year’s festival program includes: ° Chamber Music Class On Friday, July 5, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Center for Life Enrichment and the Festival will present “What to Listen for in Chamber Music.” Led by Dr. Benjamin Arnold of Emory University, the class will focus on chamber music in general and will also serve as a preview to the festival’s season. For more information and to register call the Center for Life Enrichment at 828.526.9381. ° Friday, July 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, Highlands; Saturday, July 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 5 p.m. in Cashiers; Sunday, July 7, 14, 21, and 29 at 5 p.m. in Highlands; Monday, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Cashiers; Tuesday, July 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Highlands ° Family Concerts will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 15, in Cashiers and on Tuesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. in Highlands. This is a fun and free concert for kids. Find out what kind of musical animals might be roaming around the mountains! Treats afterwards for good listeners. ° Gala Concert and Dinner will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Come celebrate the Festival with a finale featuring a great dinner, a short concert and door prizes. Tickets may be purchased in advance by phone at 828.526.9060, by fax at 828.526.0677 or by e-mail at hccmf@aol.com. For more information, contact Thom Corrigan, Festival Administrative Director, at the Festival line at 828.526.9060, or by mail at: P.O. Box 1702 Highlands, N.C., 28741. The festival website is www.h-cmusicfestival.org.)