LOCAL

Port City Music Festival marks 10 years

Contributed article
Master Class Mentoring Musicians of Tomorrow provided guidance for a young violinist at Windermere Presbyterian Church. The Port City Music Festival will celebrate its 10th year with performances June 3-10 at a variety of Wilmington locations. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

WILMINGTON -- Eleven years ago, local musician and artist Chris Farley wondered why Wilmington was a city without a summer music festival. Ten years later, we are celebrating her successful accomplishment!

Her vision: Create a festival adapted to Wilmington’s music community. In collaboration with a colleague, Dr. Stephen Framil, a world-renowned cellist, they created the Port City Music Festival, a summer music series open free to area residents.

The 2018 dates are June 3-10 at a variety of Wilmington locations, including several downtown churches and synagogues.

For the schedule of events, visit www.portcitymusicfestival.org.

Supported by Landfall Foundation, the N.C. Arts Council, and the Arts Council of Wilmington, it is a mix of performances by distinguished professionals and emerging student artists.

The 2018 theme features works by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms and Beethoven. It explores music inspired from Asia, Latin America, Middle East, Appalachia and the impact of Beethoven on classical music.

PCMF welcomes back local favorites Clark Spencer and Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi of the UNCW Music Faculty. Other returning performers are Daniel Lau, Jim Candido, Luigi Mazzocchi and Kyle Engler as well as Dr. Stephen Framil, PCMF Director and Director & Conductor of Camerata Philadelphia. 2018 Master Classes feature students of local music professionals and teachers Abigail Albaugh, Clark Spencer, Barry Salwen, and Ann Stevenson Stohl.

A new venue, CFCC’s Union Station Auditorium, will host the Saturday afternoon performance showcasing the PCMF Emerging Artists Program.

PCMF would not be possible without the generous support of the community of volunteers providing housing for visiting artists, performers, and students. PCMF operates with local volunteers led by Christine Farley, its founder. Volunteers are always needed as are your donations.

To find out how you can help or contribute, please visit www.portcitymusicfestival.org/contribute-get-involved.

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