The Discovery Series and More Highlight Wolf Trap's 2012-13 Season at the Barns

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announces the winter/spring confirmed performances to take place at The Barns at Wolf Trap, the first scheduled for tonight, October 4 at 8 pm. This year's season features international stars from a wide array of musical backgrounds and genres, including classical, jazz, folk, bluegrass, pop, rock, world music, and more. The 56 shows booked thus far include seven Barns debuts, a list that is sure to grow as additional announcements are made throughout the fall. Tickets are currently on sale to the general public.

The Barns at Wolf Trap is one of the Washington Metropolitan area's leading concert venues. The distinctive space is comprised of two refurbished 18th century barns, which provide incomparable acoustics suited to every genre imaginable. The popular indoor venue hosts over 90 shows each year, attracting audiences for its sophisticated yet casual feel and intimate atmosphere.

The Discovery Series: Chamber Music by Rising Talents and Established Artists

Wolf Trap's signature chamber music series returns with an exciting lineup of renowned soloists and ensembles. The Discovery Series includes eight concerts ranging from baroque to contemporary music by top-notch interpreters. This season's performances feature members of the internationally-hailed Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center celebrating Founder's Day; critically-acclaimed Argentine pianist Ingrid Fliter; new music pioneers, JACK Quartet with guest clarinetist Derek Bermel; the joint artistry of musical powerhouses Steven Isserlis, cellist and Kirill Gerstein, pianist; a highly original and visual concept performance featuring former Wolf Trap Opera Company artists and pianist Kim P. Witman highlighting photography by Terre Jones; a recital from GRAMMY Award-winning Parker String Quartet; the touring baroque trio Chatham Baroque; and the Wolf Trap debut of bassoon virtuoso Peter Kolkay.

Long-Awaited Debuts From Some of the Most Recognized Names in Music

The upcoming season brings an impressive number of debut artists from diverse musical paths, several of which have played at the 7,000-seat Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Those making their first appearance on The Barns stage include Celtic music and gaita phenomenon Carlos Núñez, direct from Spain; '90s alternative rocker turned solo artist Grant-Lee Phillips on a co-bill with singer/songwriter Glen Phillips, former member of Toad the Wet Sprocket; New Orleans funk and jazz posse Big Sam's Funky Nation; blues, folk, and Americana enthusiasts Southside Johnny and The Poor Fools; Howard Levy, skillful harmonica player and founding member of the fusion group Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, alongside guitarist Chris Siebold; and the improvised hilarity of Broadway's Next H!t Musical.

The Barns Comes Alive with the Sounds of Folk, Rock, Jazz, World Music, and More

This year's programming at The Barns carries on Wolf Trap's commitment to presenting celebrated artists that satisfy the diverse musical needs of the D.C. metro area audience and the hyper-local community.

Traditional and contemporary folk performers scheduled to appear at The Barns are singer/songwriter Susan Werner; vocalist Julie Murphy Wells from the Northern Virginia band Eddie From Ohio; New York City-based musician Lucy Kaplansky; iconic Americana singer JoNathan Edwards; renowned female trio Red Molly; and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award-winning singer Tom Paxton. Notable fusion folk acts include the British duo Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde; famed singer Ben Taylor with special guest artist Grace Weber; The Combined artistry of singer/songwriters Karla Bonoff and Steve Forbert; and Boston-based singer/songwriter and educator Livingston Taylor.

Rock and pop performers include New York City-born singer/songwriter Ari Hest; the fusion sounds of Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound; Louisiana natives The Iguanas; and GRAMMY Award-winning singer Paula Cole.

Featured jazz artists include the Chaise Lounge swing band and pianist John Eaton, who will present a unique three-concert series celebrating the American Popular Song. The world music realm is well represented by the Scottish traditional group Battlefield Band; Irish-American musician Eileen Ivers performing with Immigrant Soul; Solas, the Irish-American traditional group; the unparalleled Irish spectacle Celtic Crossroads; the Canadian world-fusion band Enter The Haggis; and the Hawaiian music troupe HAPA.

Other must-see performers include progressive bluegrass band The Greencards; multi-instrumentalist and country/bluegrass singer Tim O'Brien; the distinctive mix of blues, swing, and country two-step of The Grandsons; The Persuasions, known as "The Kings Of acappella"; and solo performances from cabaret singers Amanda McBroom and Andrea Marcovicci.

The Barns season also includes the International Guitar Night, joining prominent guitarists from around the world for a special performance; improv comedy shows with Chicago City Limits and Second City; and the popular 26th Annual Evening of Comedy.

For the full 2012-2013 Barns calendar to date, visit www.wolftrap.org/Barns.

Tickets for 2012-2013 performances at The Barns at Wolf Trap can be purchased by calling 1(877)WOLFTRAP; or online at www.wolftrap.org. For more information, please call The Barns at Wolf Trap at (703) 938-2404 or our general information line at (703) 255-1900.

The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Catherine Filene Shouse (1896-1994), produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally and internationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues, the outdoor Filene Center and Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. In partnership with the National Park Service, The 7,028-seat Filene Center annually showcases an extensive list of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, theater, and multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns operates year round, and during the summer months is home to the GRAMMY-nominated Wolf Trap Opera Company, one of America's outstanding resident ensemble programs for young opera singers. Wolf Trap's Education Programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, scholarships, and a nationally recognized internship program that was included in Bloomberg BusinessWeek's 2009 List of "Best Places to Intern." As part of its ongoing commitment to protect and preserve the environment, Wolf Trap offers metro access and is a founding member of the Green Music Group. Terrence D. Jones is president and CEO of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Visit the Wolf Trap Web site at www.wolftrap.org for more information.

Pictured: Ingrid Fliter

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