An Evening At The Guild (Free RSVP*)

Venue: NH Artists Guild Community House

The New Harmony Artists Guild was established 12 years ago to encourage local artists & musicians of all ages, to “share in the circle of life”, offering free lessons in music, painting and drawing, & even loaning musical instruments, art tools, & equipment to guild members!  NHMF celebrates the Artists Guild with a free live-concert “preview”, of this year’s festival music.

*Seating is exceptionally limited.  If you plan to attend, we strongly recommend making a reservation via telephone or email to check on seating availability.

Music Festival Dance ($7.00)

Venue: Rapp-Owen Granary

The New Harmony Music Festival & School presents a fun evening of New England-style contra-dances, Scottish “ceilidh” dances, waltzes, Irish polkas, & easy circle and square dances for all ages.  Our dance caller and expert dancing master, Ms. Susie Petrov, will teach simple mixer dances and folk dances to the public, accompanied by a live traditional dance orchestra including the teachers and students of the festival school. 

The dance will take place upstairs in the soaring “great hall” of the historic Rapp-Owen Granary.  Comfortable, casual attire, & proper footwear are encouraged for listeners and dancers alike: athletic shoes are NOT ideal for contra-dancing, given their high-friction aspect, but are acceptable.  Leather or smooth-soled, non-marking shoes are suggested.  Refreshments will be served.

Music Festival Jam Session (Free)

Venue: New Harmony Coffee House 501 Church Street

Join the music festival performers, music school students, and locals as they come together to “share a circle of music” in this unscripted jam session of traditional fiddle tunes, blues, sing-alongs, and even some spontaneous classical ditties in the relaxed, airy atmosphere of this classic coffee house.  Beer and wine, strong coffee & tea, as well as light food & snacks will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

Portraits In Harmony ($25 thru $50)

Venue: The Meier Atheneum

This “opening night” concert celebrates of the first season of The New Harmony Music Festival.  Set in the soaring gallery of the spectacular Meier Atheneum, our festival artists present virtuoso solos, and lush small ensemble pieces from both the classical and traditional (folk) worlds. 

The setting lends itself well to a common thread between chamber and traditional musics: both come alive when rendered in an acoustic (non-amplified) setting.  Works by Robert Burns, J.S. Bach, Stephen Foster, Fritz Kreisler, Turloch O’Carolan, and traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, America, and the Celtic Nations.  (A digital audio download of the live concert will be available for advance purchase.  The download link will arrive via email in the days following the event.)

Garden Fund Benefit Concert ($125.00)

Venue: TBA w/ticket purchase/reservations

For many years, Jane Owen & the townsfolk created, cherished, & supported gardens, gardening, & large-scale garden projects in New Harmony.  Additionally, Mrs. Owen insured the continuing care & upkeep of the spectacular trees in town.  In celebration & support of these pastoral “sacred spaces” NHMF&S will donate the proceeds from this event to: The Robert Schneider Garden Fund, created by the New Harmony Artists Guild to care for the gardens Mrs. Owen loved so much. 

Guests will gather at the NH Guild House and be escorted to three separate, gardens where musicians will perform.  A light brunch will follow for the benefit guests with the performers.  ***This is a rain or shine event!!!  In the event of rain, the concert will take place in the Artists Guild House followed by brunch.  There are no refunds on account of inclement weather, within reason.

Music Festival Grand Concert

Venue: Historic Thrall’s Opera House

Traditional music & classical chamber music come together in the historic Thrall’s Opera House ca. 1830.  Listeners can expect Irish fiddling, piping, and harping, The NHMF&S String Quartet playing classical and original compositions from our artists, and some musical “surprises”, all set this fantastic acoustic venue.  A digital audio download of the live concert will be available for advance purchase.  (The download link will arrive via email in the days following the event.)