Summer Music Festival to reopen with free concert Aug. 10, at Fenimore

By PATRICK DEWEY • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

After the cancellation of the 2020 season because of the coronavirus, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival will be back for its 23rd season this summer.

The season kicks off Tuesday, Aug. 10, with a free concert.

“We wanted to make a giftto the community and say let’s come back and enjoy live music together after difficult times,” CSMF Artistic Director Linda Chesis said.

This opening performance will be by the 14-piece group, Caroga Arts Ensemble, which will play a range of music from bluegrass to jazz, according to Chesis.

“They work in all configurations and all genres of music,” she said.

There is unlimited seating for the outdoor concert on Aug. 10, which will be held on the back lawn at the Fenimore Art Museum, near Cooperstown, on State Route 80. Attendees need to bring their own chairs or blankets. If it’s raining, the event will move indoors to the Louis C Jones Center at The Farmers’ Museum, where capacity will be limited and ticket reservations required.

The festival will continue at 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 15, with a performance by Imani Winds at the Otesaga Resort Hotel.

Chesis said the group is comprised of top wind players.

“They have an imaginative program that will be engaging for audiences of all ages” Chesis said.

The performance will feature works composed by ensemble members.

According to the festival website, Imani Winds commissions, “new music reflecting historical events and the times in which we currently live.”

The next concert will be by the Verona String Quartet at 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 22, at The Farmer’s Museum’s Louis C. Jones Center. The quartet will perform works by Shostakovich and Dvořák.

Brazilian jazz group Trio da Paz will make its third CSMF appearance at 7 p.m., Aug. 30, at the Otesaga. Chesis said the group is comprised of world-famous musicians each with their own careers.

“They love to come together and when they do it’s a party” Chesis said.

The final performance of the season will take place at the Otesaga. The show will be by Jiji (guitar) and Danbi Um (violin) at 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 19. The duo will feature works by Paganini, Ella Fitzgerald and Amy Beach, among others.

Chesis said since the community is just opening up after the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, she is limiting capacity of performances despite loosening of restrictions.

“I want everyone to feel safe and comfortable” Chesis said.

Chesis said the Cooperstown Music Festival helps audiences discover genres new to them. She said each group of performers represents a high standard in whichever genre they play.

Past CSMF performances have appeared on National Public Radio’s performance today, hosted by Fred Child. Chesis said having the events featured on the show is a great honor.

She said after the Covid pandemic stopped performances, the impact of performance is even more clear.

Performance gives audiences a sense of connection and musicians the support they need.
Go to www.cooperstownmusicfest.org for ticket details.

Tickets are limited for the indoor shows. For more information, go to cooperstownmusicfest.org or
call 877-666-7421.