07/15/2007

Bay View celebrates chamber music

'Celebration' today features students, faculty

By Garret Ellison

gellison@record-eagle.com

PETOSKEY — The second half of the Bay View Music Festival's summer performance series and conservatory begins today with a student and faculty concert on the Victorian grounds of the oldest chamber music festival of its kind in the country.

The May through October school that began in 1886 "sort of appears out of nowhere all of a sudden,” said Chris Ludwa, festival artistic director. The campus shuts down for the summer months, when a long list of public concerts, opera, theater productions and workshops are available by the shores of Little Traverse Bay.

Remember the setting for the movie "Dirty Dancing?” Well, "that's actually somewhat accurate as to what this place is like,” said Ludwa.

The campus is just north of Petoskey on U.S. 31. Follow the highway until is passes under a footbridge and take the next right on Encampment Road.

Sunday shows are $10 for general admission, Wednesday shows are $12. The box office is open from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday and one hour before performances. Call 348-9551 for more information or visit www.bayviewfestival.org.

The schedule includes:

• "A Celebration of Teaching,” students and faculty on stage together, today at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. The concert will pay homage to teachers all over the world, with vignettes about teaching alongside collaborative artistry.

• Baritone Timothy Noble (master class), Monday and Tuesday, 2 to 5 p.m. in the Hall Auditorium. Noble, one of the world's leading baritones, will work one-on-one with Bay View students to hone their craft.

• "Salsa! A Tribute to Latin Jazz,” Monday at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. A night of danceable jazz with guests from Berklee College of Music. General Admission is $20, Bay View and Crooked Tree members $15; youth, $10.

• "Magical Number Six,” Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. The concert opens with an organ performance by Kelly Hale, followed by two sextets.

• "Drama Queen: Great Theatre Music,” July 22 at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. Music from "The Phantom of the Opera,” "Carousel,” "Ragtime” and more.

• "Lori Sims Feature Concert,” July 25 at 8 p.m. in Voorhies Hall. Faculty pianist Lori Sims will lift from Bach and Chopin in an intimate setting.

• "Carousel,” July 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. One of the most well-known musicals of all time. General admission $17.

• "Imagine: Pictures in Music,”July 29 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. A multimedia presentation exploring the connection between paint on canvas and music. Selections of Debussy, Rimsky-Korsakov and the Bay View faculty.

• "Bavaria and Bohemia,” Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. Romantic composer Antonin Dvorak spotlighted.

• Family Folk Night, "Sensible Shoes,” Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. Bay View Beach. A folk duo plays for families on the beach with fiddle, guitar, banjo and singing. Bring a blanket.

• Graduation: Student Artist Vespers, Aug. 5, 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. A sing-along and display of the student talent.

• "Crazy Love: Magical Night,” Aug. 8, 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. Opens with the Bay View Brass, then Rise Renee Harmon will swoon through four Spanish-influenced songs, finishing with a Spanish piano trio.

• "Cinderella: (La Cenerentola),” Aug 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. in the Crooked Tree Arts Center, performed with an orchestra. Bay View student artists will put a new spin on the ago-old classic. All seats $25.

• Grand Finale, Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. The very best the faculty has to offer.