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Eastern Music Festival Announces Single Ticket Sales

by Ruth Spaulding 336.333.7450, x32
Ruth@EasternMusicFestival.org
Stephanie B. Cordick 336.333.7450 x24

Greensboro, NC -- Eastern Music Festival is proud to announce the start of its 2009 season running from June 27th through August 1st. Single tickets are on sale now, online at www.EasternMusicFestival.org and via phone or in person through the EMF Box Office at Triad Stage at 336.272.0160 or 866.579.TIXX, 232 South Elm Street, downtown Greensboro.  Season tickets will be on sale through June 27th (EMFfringe season tickets on sale through July 9th)

With over 100 concerts and music-related events during the five-week festival, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Our Classical programming under Music Director and twelve time GRAMMY nominee, Gerard Schwarz features our Lincoln Financial Festival Orchestra Series.  This year our resident professional orchestra will be joined by extraordinary guest artists pianists Peter Serkin (July 4) and Horacio Gutiérrez (July 18), violinists Sarah Chang (July 11) and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (July 25), French cellist Xavier Philips (August 1) and guest conductors Bright Sheng (July 18) and Jahja Ling (July 25). 

As the only area performing arts organization to do so, EMF will host two chamber music series – UNCG Chamber Series on Mondays and Carnegie Chamber of Tuesdays.  Several guest artists – Bright Sheng, piano (July 13 and 14); Horacio Gutiérrez, piano (July 20); and John Cerminaro, horn (July 27) -- will join our faculty to perform the great masterpieces of the past and invigorating music of the present.

Our Friends & Great Performers Wednesday concerts offer a diverse program such as Festival favorites the Steinway Piano Gala (June 30 at Elon University and July 1 at Guilford College) and Pianopalooza (July 29).  The Greensboro Opera collaborative, One Enchanting Evening: Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein, is already sold out, with a second show added for Tuesday, July 21.  This series also presents the Concert Organ Spectacular (July 8) showcasing the music of Handel and Bach, and the Brandenburg Concerti (July 15). 

Our amazing Young Artists Orchestras are featured every Thursday and Friday beginning July 3rd.  These talented pre-professional musicians will be joined this year by several soloists – Neal Cary, cello (July 10); Les Roettges, flute (July 16); James Giles and J.Y. Song, piano (July 23); and John Cerminaro, horn (July 24).  Guest conductors Bright Sheng (July 16) and Chelsea Tipton II (July 30 and 31) will assist Gerard Schwarz and resident conductor, José-Luis Novo, throughout this series.  This series finale includes two nights of Concerto Competition Winners (July 30 and 31) Please consider making Thursdays and Fridays a family night when EMF offers special prices for adults ($5 each) bringing children aged twelve and under ($1 each).

Other family-friendly events include two EMFkids Concerts with Shana Banana (July 11) and Dan Zanes (July 17) plus two bonus concerts with the Northwest Boychoir (July 12) and the Bel Canto Summer High School Chorus Festival (July 19).  Bonus concerts also include EMF Brass (July 29) and Percussion (August 1) Ensembles.

For the ninth season, the EMF Faculty Orchestra will perform twice at Appalachian State University's "An Appalachian Summer Festival," this year with soloists Sarah Chang (July 12) and Horacio Gutiérrez (July 19).  Following this Gutiérrez performance, there will be a “Meet the Artist” question and answer session with Maestro Schwarz and Mr. Gutiérrez.  The Boone performance and after-concert “Meet the Artist” are funded in part by a grant from the Southern Arts Federation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council.

The Festival has also been invited to appear at the Kennedy Center for the fifth consecutive year - pianists from EMF will perform on the Millennium Stage and broadcast internationally via live webcast.

There will also be two Reynolda House performances - the EMF Faculty Chamber Ensemble on July 5 and the EMF Piano Students on July 26.  High Point University will host a free Chamber Concert featuring EMF Faculty and Young Artists (July 13).

Three free concerts, will feature two EMF Young Artists Pops Concerts (July 12 at Guilford College and July 13 at Elon University) and an EMFfringe Concert with The New Familiars (July 26).

For the seventh year, the popular EMFfringe Series provides its own outstanding alternative artists including rockers The Chris Hicks Band (July 9), Steep Canyon Rangers (July 18), The Waybacks (July 23), blues artists The Larry McCray Band (July 24), “The Voice of New Grass” John Cowan Band (July 25), and North Carolina’s favorite fiddler, guitarist, and storyteller Mike Cross (July 30 sponsored by Print Works Bistro).  Your ticket stub to any of these events will also give you free admission to an After Party at a local area restaurant where appetizers and more music will be provided.  An EMFfringe Kickoff Party Presented by YES! Weekly at Natty Greene’s will feature music by Holy Ghost Tent Revival (July 2).

If that isn’t enough, join us for Sunday afternoon piano recitals, free Young Artists Chamber Concerts, Master Classes, Musically Speaking, and free Open Rehearsals.

We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Tickets: Triad Stage Box Office 336.272.0160 or 866.579.TIXX or www.EasternMusicFestival.org.
*a service fee will apply

Discounts are available for full-time students with a valid ID, seniors aged 65 or older, and groups of 10 or more for most performances.  Young Artists and EMFkids concerts offer family-friendly packages.  Please call the box office about packages.  This season most discounts will be available at the door.  Discounts and gift certificates will not be accepted for concerts designated as special events.

The 2009 Eastern Music Festival season is sponsored in part by the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, the North Carolina Arts Council, Southern Arts Federation, National Endowment for the Arts, Lincoln Financial, Greensboro's News and Record, Quaintance Weaver, Print Works Bistro, WFDD Triad Arts Station, Continental Airways, Piedmont Music Center (Steinway Pianos), and YES! Weekly.

All programs, dates, artists, and venues are subject to change.

For more information about EMF or its programs, please visit
www.EasternMusicFestival.org, or call toll free: 1.877.833.6753
The Eastern Music Festival’s mission is to promote musical enrichment, excellence, professional collaboration, innovation and diversity through a nationally-recognized teaching program, music festival, concerts and other programs which will enhance the quality of life, health and vitality of our region.

EMF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

See the Eastern Music Festival listings in our Triad Calendar.

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