APPALACHIAN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
History, Nature, Culture
2022 Festival Events
August 15 - 28
Education Programs
String Chamber Music Camp
August 15 - 19 | Old Stone School, Hillsboro
Ages 12-18 - Apply by June 15
Adult Chamber Music Intensive
August 20 - 24 | Shepherd University, Frank Center
Individuals or Groups = Apply by July 1
Festival Taster Preview
Wednesday, 8/17 | 8:15 - 8:45 PM | Free Event
St. James Catholic Church, Charles Town, WV
Join us for an informal sneak preview of some of the works being featured in this year’s festival. ACMF artists will perform movements of various works and discuss themes of the festival.
Festival Opening Night: Scots Irish in Appalachia
Thursday, 8/18 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville, VA
The Appalachian Chamber Music Festival is delighted to be returning to the Barns of Rose Hill for the opening night concert of our 2022 summer season. The festival celebrates the rich history, nature and culture of the area through poignant and powerful chamber music experiences that are relevant to our times. ACMF brings together fresh and exciting talent, internationally-recognized artists from near and far who are united by camaraderie and cause for an evening of world-class music. In addition to the celebrated String Octet by Felix Mendelssohn, this concert features the world premiere of Judith Ring’s Quartet “Of Woods and Water.”
This season’s festival coalesces around a theme of Celtic tradition and influence in the Appalachian region.
Program:
Simmy Singh/Trad Welsh: Ar Hyd y Nos (All Through the Night)
Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10
-intermission-
Judith Ring: Of Woods and Water*
Felix Mendelssohn: String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20
*World Premiere commissioned by ACMF,
Sponsored by Berryville Graphics
Our Folk Roots: "Music in the Gap" Concert Series
Friday, 8/19 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Free Event
Old Stone School, Hillsboro, VA
Join us for a celebration of the roots of folk and traditional music from both near and far. Opening our program is local legend, Dave Asti, who will be followed by performances of ACMF artists. This concert features original Punch Brothers arrangements by Simmy Singh, compositions by Mark O’Connor, Joan Baez, Ukrainian composer Valentyn Silvestrov. This concert is an evening of fun for the whole family!
Please note: This concert is outdoors with a rain venue. Beer, wine and food are available starting at 6 PM. Lawn seating is FREE bring a chair or blanket! Seating is available for purchase by the table, sold by Old Stone School.
Program:
Opening set with bluegrass artist Dave Asti
Punch Brothers, arr. Simmy Singh: Flippen (the flip)
Jörg Widmann: 180 beats per minute
Mark O’Connor: Appalachian Waltz
Chief Sitting in the Rain
Old Country Fairytale
Rebecca Gikyson, arr. Alice Jones: “Requiem”
Domenic Salerni: Trilobites
Bluegrass Workshop with Dave Asti
Saturday, 8/20 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM | Free Event
Old Stone School, Hillsboro, VA
Bluegrass musician Dave Asti leads an enlightening workshop teaching the basics of bluegrass and Old-Time Appalachia styles. Bring your instrument and jam, or feel free to watch and learn. Space is limited so reserve your spot now. Open to all ages and levels and well as spectators.
The Power of the Human Spirit
Saturday, 8/20 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM
St. Peter's Chapel, Harpers Ferry, WV
A respite from a hot August afternoon In the beautiful acoustic of St. Peter’s Chapel in the heart of historic downtown Harpers Ferry.
Join us for this hour long concert of poignant and reflective works that explore how music helps us carry on through extraordinary times. Featuring “Ikon” by living Ukrainian composer, Valentyn Silvestrov, this concert includes the world premiere performance of Mark Boden’s “A Winter’s Journey, Re-imaged” for solo cello, part of an international cross-disciplinary project curated by ACMF Artistic Director, Katie Tertell. Works by Boccherini and American composer Sarah Gibson will also be performed.
Program:
Valentyn Silvestrov: Ikon
Mark David Boden: Liden for solo cello (Word Premiere)
Luigi Boccherini: Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid, Opus 30 No. 6
Sarah Gibson: “As one who loves poetry” for two cellos
Rebecca Gikyson, arr. Alice Jones: "Requiem"
Danish String Quartet: Selections from "Last Leaf"
*Program is subject to changes
Folk Roots
Saturday, 8/20 | 7:30 PM
Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville, VA
ACMF is delighted to be continuing our partnership with the Franklin Park Arts Center this season. Join us for a full-length concert performance with some of the most celebrated works of chamber music, which also explore the essence of folk and traditional elements and influences. Works by Ravel, Brahms, Ukrainian composer Valentyn Silvestrov, Widmann and more.
Program:
Jörg Widmann: 180 beats per minute
Punch Brothers, arr. Simmy Singh: Flippen (The Flip)
Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F Major
- intermission -
Valentyn Silvestrov: Ikon
Penderecki: Duo Concertante for Violin and Double Bass
Johannes Brahms: String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 111
Lost in Plain Sight
Lecture/Recital with Dr. Rosi Song
Sunday, 8/21 | 3:00 PM
Shipley Recital Hall, Frank Arts Center,
Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV
ACMF Artists are joined by Dr. Rosi Song (Durham University, UK) to explore the fascinating life of cellist-composer Gaspar Cassado through his musical influences. Originally from the Catalonia region of Spain, Cassado was the protege of the great cellist, Pablo Casals, and studied composition with Maurice Ravel at the turn of the century in Paris. Having lived through two world wars, Spanish fascism and more, his life and music is a fascinating reflection of this year’s festival themes of illuminating the roots of folk music in classical forms.
Program:
Luigi Boccherini: Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid, Opus 30 No. 6
Gaspar Cassadó: Quartet No. 1 in F minor
Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F Major
Event sponsored by an IMPACT Grant awarded by Durham University, England in partnership with Shepherd University
Reflections and Exuberance
Sunday, 8/21 | 7:30 PM | Free Event
Camp Hill-Wesley UMC, Harpers Ferry, WV
This concert offers moments of excitement as well as introspection. Featuring the celebrated quartets of Ravel and Debussy, two French composers who were influenced by the many cultural and social movements at the turn of the 20th century. The two composers were great friends and colleagues who were inspired by one another, and represent the ethos of music-making that we strive for at ACMF. Also featured in the spirit of friendship is the lyrical work for two cellos “As one who loves poetry” by American composer, Sarah Gibson.
Program:
Sarah Gibson: “As one who loves poetry” for two cellos
Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10
-Intermission-
Valentyn Silvestrov: Ikon
Gaspar Cassado: Quartet No. 1 in F minor
Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F Major
"Music for Dessert" Series: Let's Duet
Tuesday, 8/23 | 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville, VA
Franklin Park Arts Center invites you to join us for “Music for Dessert”, a live music series for both in-person and virtual audiences. The Appalachian Chamber Music Festival, based in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is proud to present this concert of duo music featuring violinist Audrey Pride, violist Danielle Wiebe, and cellist Schuyler Slack as part of its second annual festival. This program includes a little something for everyone! Selections include pieces celebrating history, the haunting beauty and playfulness of nature, and the ways we experience the world around us, as well as traditional classical compositions. The concert finale will feature all three artists in a trio by Mark O’Connor rooted in Appalachian fiddle music.
Program:
Arthur Honegger: Sonatina for Violin and Cello, H. 80
Allegro
Caroline Shaw: Limestone and Felt
Domenic Salerni: 17th and 18th Century Dance Forms for Violin and Cello
Paul Wiancko: American Haiku
Tim Mauthe: Little Bird Variations
Bohuslav Martinu: Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola
Poco Allegro
Mark O’Connor: Old Country Fairytale for Violin, Viola and Cello
Run-out Concert: Festival Highlights
Thursday, 8/25 | 7:00 PM
Middleburg Community Center, Middleburg, VA
ACMF brings this concert of festival highlights to the Middleburg community. Featuring the world premiere of “Appalachia” by Ciaran Farrell for wind trio, Brahms, Mark O’Connor, composer-in-residence Steven Snowden and more.
Our friends at The Wine Reserve at Waterford will also be in attendance with a selection of wine for purchase by the glass or bottle! Grab your tickets, invite your friends, and enjoy an evening out with ACMF!
Program:
Danish String Quartet: Selections from "Last Leaf"
Mark O'Connor: Selections from "Appalachian Waltz"
Steven Snowden: Bird Catching from Above
–intermission-
Ciaran Farrell: Appalachia for Wind Trio (world premiere)
Johannes Brahms: String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 111
Appalachian Spring
Friday, 8/26 | 7:30 PM
Frank Center Stage
Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV
Come experience the exuberance of one of the greatest chamber works of the 20th century in its original format for 13 players. Copland’s vibrant work Appalachian Spring is deeply heartfelt, lively and authentically rooted in the spirit of America. ACMF is excited to be presenting this masterpiece at the Frank Center. Also featured in this exhilarating program is Dvorak’s Dumky trio, Widmann’s exciting and rhythmic “180 Beats per Minute” and more. This is the one performance featuring all of the 2022 ACMF artists performing together, so don’t miss it!
Program:
Jörg Widmann: 180 beats per minute
Antonin Dvorak: Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 90 (“Dumky”)
- intermission -
Paul Schoenfield: Café Music
Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite
Duo Delights Coffee Concert
Saturday, 8/27 | 11:00 AM - Noon
The Station at Shepherdstown
Shepherdstown, WV
Back by popular demand, we return to the Shepherdstown Train Station for another delightful morning of delightful miniature works for duo, plus Ciaran Farrell’s trio “Appalachia” premiered at ACMF 2022. Featuring works by Bach, Mozart, and more.
Program:
Claude Debussy: Syrinx
J.S. Bach, arr. Sam Suggs: Sinfonia-Prelude
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata for Bassoon and Cello in B-flat major, K. 292
Allegro
Andante
Rondo: Allegro
J.S. Bach: Flute Sonata in E-major, BWV 1035
Adagio ma non tanto
Allegro
Siciliano
Allegro assai
Ciaran Farrell: Appalachia for Wind Trio
(ACMF 2022 world premiere, second performance)
Krzysztof Penderecki: Duo Concertante for Violin and Double Bass
Living Mozart
Saturday, 8/27 | 3:00 PM
Shipley Recital Hall, Frank Arts Center
Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV
No stranger to having a good time, Mozart would have been right at home with the ethos of ACMF.
This concert celebrates living composers, including our very own ACMF violinist, Domenic Salerni. Through this performance we will explore the many influences these composers incorporate in their music, including folk and traditional music from around the world as well as the western classical tradition of counterpoint and harmony perfected by Mozart.
Program:
Domenic Salerni: Piano Trio No. 1
Ailbhe McDonagh: Skellig
- intermission -
Errollyn Wallen: Dervish
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, KV 478
*Please note: program subject to changes
Storytelling and Folklore: Music to Excite
Saturday, 8/27 | 3:00 PM
Old Stone School
Hillsboro, VA
The name says it all - great masterworks paired with the edgy, fun, and energetic works of composer-in-residence Steve Snowden, Simmy Singh and more.
Program:
Judith Ring: Of Woods and Water
(ACMF 2022 world premiere, second performance)
Selections from the repertoire of the Danish String Quartet and Mark O’Connor
Snowden: Bird Catching from Above
– intermission -
Simmy Singh/Trad Welsh: Ar Hyd y Nos
Felix Mendelssohn: String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20
Festival Finale: Celtic Heritage in the Appalachian Region
Sunday, 8/28 | 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Happy Retreat, Charles Town, WV
Join us for our festival finale in an outdoor celebration of Celtic Heritage in the Appalachian region.
Pre-concerts events included in ticket price: Furnace Mountain Band, and pre-concert talk about Celtic ties in the Appalachian region with Dr. Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt.
This concert is a family-friendly, outdoor picnic event which will have an indoor rain venue. All children 15 and under are free.
This program features a gathering of our world heritage: a mix of beloved works by Debussy, Mendelssohn and more, as well as music inspired by Appalachia, Bluegrass and Americana by Judith Ring, Simmy Singh and Steven Snowden. There is something for everyone in this concert!
Pre-Concert Events:
Opening Act with Furnace Mountain Band
Talk: "Celtic Heritage in the Appalachian Region" with Dr. Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt, Director of Shepherd University Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities
Concert Program:
Danish String Quartet/Traditional: Stædelil from “Last Leaf”
Mark O’Connor: Appalachian Waltz
Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10
- intermission -
Judith Ring: Of Woods and Water*
Rebecca Gikyson, arr Alice Jones: Requiem
Felix Mendelssohn: String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20
