Cooperstown Festival Offers Four Performances This Weekend

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival will present four performances as part of its 8th annual Pro Am Performance Seminar. The Pro Am is a week-long program of rehearsals, coaching sessions, and performances led by Festival artistic director and flutist Linda Chesis; Shirley Irek, piano; Nilko Andreas, guitar; Hyung Suk Bae, cello; and Janet Sung, violin. These award-winning artists have performed worldwide. They will rehearse intensively and then perform with accomplished non-career musicians who come from across the country: Martha Somach, flute; Bruce Harris, piano; Mark Ptashne, violin; Jonathan Phillips, viola; and Barbara Gaden, cello.

Pro Am performances will feature selections by Brahms, Turina, Haydn, Elgar, Paganini, and Bach and will be held at Pathfinder Village in Edmeston tonight, June 25 at 7:00 pm, at Cherry Valley's Star Theater on June 26 at 7:30 pm, at Hyde Hall on June 27 at 7:30 pm, and at Christ Church in Cooperstown on June 28 at 2:00 pm. A suggested donation of $15 is welcome at the door.

"This year will be our biggest Pro Am and we've added classical guitar to the strings, piano, and flute the Pro Am usually features," says Chesis. "The Pro Am shows the impact of a lifelong commitment to chamber music. The 'Ams' all have demanding and impressive careers, but have continued to practice and perform chamber music for the sheer joy of it. The Pro Am performances are a must for anyone who enjoys chamber music, or who would like to see what it's all about." She noted that there is a suggested donation of $15 welcome at the door for Pro Am performances, but that everyone is invited to attend, regardless of their ability to pay.

For more information, email info@cooperstownmusicfest.org, call 877/666-7421 or see cooperstownmusicfest.org.

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