Music in the Mountains exciting SummerFest is June 11-July 3

FOR THE PAST 33 YEARS, MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS has presented one of the region’s most popular and artistically diverse summer music festivals.

This season features an impressive array of musicians, soloists and guest conductors, including MIM’s first female conductor, accomplished Bay Area musician Dawn Harms. From Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, to 150 violins playing at a Scottish fiddlers rally, to the best Beatles tribute band, this is going to be a summer of incredible music, from June 11 to July 3.

The Orchestra Series offers the classics indoors at the Amaral Center at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. From the legendary Scheherazade, who told stories of the Arabian Nights, to the thunder and drama of the American folk classic Porgy and Bess, these are stories of love, power and immeasurable beauty.

The epic Grieg Piano Concerto will be played by MIM’s pianist-in-residence for this festival, Konstantin Soukhovetski. Artistic Advisor Pete Nowlen will conduct Prelude for Yuba Salmon, the exciting Festival Orchestra premiere of the Young Composers Project, plus the annual family concert.

What summer festival would be complete without outdoor concerts? Enter, Concerts Under the Stars. This series offers patrons an opportunity to picnic on the great lawn of the Fairgrounds.

The series begins with a visit to the Celtic islands with Alasdair Fraser’s Grand Fiddler’s Rally, then a celebration of the Beatle’s 50th anniversary with the Fab Four, dubbed “the best Beatle’s tribute in the world,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

John Williams provides the soundtrack to many of our lives, and this summer, the MIM Orchestra will play the music of our times, with selections␣from E.T., Saving Private Ryan, Harry Potter and Star Wars. And this year’s Happy Birthday USA is in for a Hollywood treatment. MIM is striking up the band, (and the chorus) and reaching for the stars with family Disney favorites.

Nowlen concludes: “This year we’re also focusing on experiences at each concert in addition to the great music. For instance, at our Gershwin concert there will be 1920s lawn games, cocktails and other activities.” For more information, visit MusicintheMountains.org.