By Priya Hutner ·
Enjoy outdoor classic music at spectacular settings around North Lake Tahoe and Truckee with the five-concert series Serenades at Sunset at the Lake Tahoe Music Festival.
The festival has been entertaining music lovers for the last 32 years with everything from Bach to blues and beyond. And, since 2002, Maestro Timm Rolek has served as the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for the Festival. He also founded The Orchestra Academy in 2010, which creates educational and performance opportunities for aspiring young musicians. The Orchestra Academy is comprised of young musicians and most are recent graduates from renowned music schools.
“We are building the musicians of tomorrow and developing talent. We offer a platform to help young musicians build their resume,” explained executive director Georgette Porter.
This year’s concert series also features classical solo guitarist Christopher Kachian and Laura Hamilton, a soloist violinist and acting Co-Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. During the Festival, they also act as mentors to the young musicians.
“We our grateful for the support of numerous local business and the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Association,” Porter said. “The community responds magically to what we are doing.”
The proceeds from the festival help to foster young musicians in the Tahoe area, including the Truckee Elementary School music program.
“The Lake Tahoe Music Festival has been integral to the arts and cultural and music education in our local community. We are dedicated to grow the musicians of tomorrow through our Academy Orchestra and Truckee Tahoe Youth Music Mentoring Program,” Porter says.
Opening night on Aug. 18 features the music of Schubert and includes “Arpeggione Sonata for Guitar and Strings” with The Lake Tahoe Music Festival Academy Orchestra and Kachain at Sugar Pine Point State Park.
The following evening, Hamilton and Kachian perform with the Academy Orchestra for an evening of Mozart at the West Shore cafe on Aug. 19. Bring a picnic, enjoy a no-host barbecue or order off the menu. The third night of the concert series visits the gardens of Tahoe Tree Company for an evening of “Simply Schubert” on Aug. 20. Also enjoy a pre-concert wine and cheese tasting event. Another evening of Mozart returns on Aug. 21 with a North Shore concert at Skylandia Beach.
The final event will be held at Schaffer’s Mill Club on Aug. 22 and highlights the music of Haydn and includes a dinner at 5:30 p.m. before the concert.
Bring a picnic, wine and low-back chairs or picnic blankets for seating and enjoy evenings filled with the brilliance of Mozart, Shubert and Haydn.
For more information on the festival, visit tahoemusic.org. Tickets are available at the Tahoe City Visitors Center, the Incline Village Visitors Center, by calling (775) 832-1606 or at activitytickets.com.
Aug. 18
An Evening of Schubert | 6 p.m.
Meet the Musicians | 5:30 p.m. | Gates open at 5
Sugar Pine Point State Park | Tahoma
$20 | $10 parking | Free 12 & younger
Aug. 19
Mostly Mozart | 6 p.m.
Meet the Musicians | 5:30 p.m. | Gates open at 5
West Shore cafe | Homewood
$20 | Free 12 & younger
Aug. 20
Simply Schubert | 6 p.m.
Meet the Musicians | 5:30 p.m. | Gates open at 5
Tahoe Tree Company | Tahoe City
$20 | Free 12 & younger
Aug. 21
The Music of Mozart | 6 p.m.
Meet the Musicians | 5:30 p.m. | Gates open at 5
Skylandia Beach | Tahoe City
$20 | Free 12 & younger
Aug. 22
Happily Haydn | 6 p.m.
Meet the Musicians | 5:30 p.m. | Gates open at 5
Schaffer’s Mill | Truckee
$55 includes dinner & wine at 5 p.m.
