Harmony School of Creative Arts, the Uptown Marble Arts Alliance, and the Historic Main Street Association, all local non-profit organizations in Marble Falls, Texas, are pleased to announce the formation of the first annual Chamber Music Festival of Marble Falls. A series of evening concerts are slated each evening during the week of June 23-27, featuring amateur and professional chamber musicians. The performances begin at 8:00 pm at the Uptown Marble Theater; admission is free.

Artists-in-Residence for the week are the award-winning Blue Rose Trio of Los Angeles, California. ViolinistAudrey Solomon, cellist Lars Hoefs, and pianist Rose Chen will perform on Wednesday and Friday evenings. The group also will serve as clinicians for the student workshops scheduled during the day at Harmony School, along with violist Keenan Fletcher, the originator of this particular event.

Also included in the concert series are local favorites such as the Kerley Sisters, Maisano Sisters, Irish Dancers, Lainey Wright and Friends, Lake Bottom Jazz Ensemble, and Hill Country Brass. On Saturday afternoon, the students will be featured as they perform selections from their week-long clinics.

The workshop portion of the festival is geared specifically towards classically trained musicians to provide performance opportunities within a wide range of musical styles. Students, both young and old, will be grouped with “like-minded” musicians to participate in daily training on how to “co-exist” among other instrumentalists. The festival will encourage groups to study a variety of musical styles through four specific genres: classical, folk, praise & worship, and jazz/20th century.

The Chamber Music Festival was formed to fill a void within most classical musicians - the opportunity to celebrate music together in a non-threatening and fun atmosphere. We hope to allow these groups to continue together for a lifetime of music and friendship; each group will be encouraged to share their gift within the community.

The chamber music program at Harmony School has been made possible through the generosity of ACMP-The Chamber Music Network, and the Clinton B. Ford Fund of its ACMP Foundation, an organization that stimulates and expands the playing of chamber music for pleasure. Additional support for the Chamber Music Festival has been provided to date by the Burnet County Hotel Tax, Marble Falls Rotary Club, Noon Lions Club, Clarkson and Company, Inc., Best Western Marble Falls Inn, Northland Cable Television, Inc., Darci’s Deli, Falls Bistro and Wine Cellar, Bea Pine, Richard Sinclair, Fermin and Jennifer Ortiz, and Camp Champions - Steve and Susan Baskin.

For more information on the festival, go to www.harmonyarts.org or call 830.693.1791.

Harmony School of Creative Arts is your community fine arts school, dedicated to cultivating the God-given artistic talents of the Highland Lakes community with exceptional education in a loving and nurturing environment. It is a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, whose goal is to “advance high-quality community arts education so that all people may participate in the arts according to their interests and ability.

Monday, June 23, 8:00 pm
* The Kerley Girls, playing Texas Folk Music: Ashlyn and Hannah Kerley of Burnet, Texas, as seen at various folk festivals; they have performed on stage with Johnny Gimble
* The Maisano Girls, playing Irish Folk Music: Toni, Beth, and Katy Maisano have entertained many central Texans with their Celtic music
* The Maisano Girls with authentic Irish dancers

Tuesday, June 24, 8:00 pm
* Lainey Wright and Friends, performing Christian coffeehouse-style acoustic songs from her recent recording "Count It Joy". Lainey Wright of Llano, Texas, is joined by Ron Huntoon, mandolin; George Gurganus, guitar; and Keenan Fletcher, violin
* Lake Bottom Jazz Ensemble, performing jazz/ragtime from the 1920’s - modern: The ensemble includes Richard Golladay, piano; Keenan Fletcher, violin; Ron Huntoon, guitar; and Ernie Campos, saxophone. Vocals by Julia Hockenberry and Ron Hutoon.

Wednesday, June 25, 8:00 pm
* Blue Rose Trio of Los Angeles, California, along with Keenan Fletcher of Marble Falls: Audrey Solomon, violin; Lars Hoefs, cello; Rose Chen, piano; Keenan Fletcher, violin

Thursday, June 26, 8:00 pm
* Hill Country Brass will perform familiar classical pieces, from Bach to Bizet: The quintet is comprised of Joe Mantheiy, trumpet; Alan Tanner, trumpet; Jim Jarnagin, French horn; Rodger Elliott, trombone; and John Lopes, tuba.

Friday, June 27, 8:00 pm - Feature Performance of Artists in Residence for Chamber Music Festival
*Award-winning Blue Rose Trio of Los Angeles, California: Audrey Solomon, violin; Lars Hoefs, cello; and Rose Chen, piano.

Saturday, June 28, 3:00 pm
*Student Performances: Selections from the week's workshops will be performed. Students range in age from mid-elementary to adult.