OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Music in the American Wild, a celebration of the 2016 U.S. National Park Service centennial, is coming to the North Olympic Peninsula with three performances set in Olympic National Park next week.
The performances are free with park admission.
Music in the American Wild is a collaboration featuring seven classical musicians performing original works by 11 composers. Each original composition was inspired by the beauty and uniquely American experience of national parks, according to a news release.
Music in the American Wild is directed by Emlyn Johnson, flutist. She is joined by six other musicians performing on clarinet, horn, violin, viola, cello and percussion.
All of the performers, as well as the composers, are affiliated with the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.
“We are truly honored to host these talented young musicians and warmly invite our neighbors and visitors to come enjoy the concerts,” said Rachel Spector, Olympic National Park acting superintendent.
The performances will be Monday through Wednesday.
Here is the schedule:
• 7:30 p.m. Monday — Heart o’ the Hills Campground amphitheater.
• 5 p.m. Tuesday — Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center terrace.
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday — Intermittent performances along the Hoh Rain Forest’s Hall of Mosses Trail.
Working in locations ranging from caves to mountaintops to indoor theaters, Music in the American Wild tailors each acoustic concert to its venue so listeners can hear and enjoy the music’s interactions with the environment, according to a news release.
“We hope to enhance visitors’ experiences in the parks by sharing our music in concerts and field recordings,” Johnson said.
“It’s an honor to celebrate the NPS centennial with new music in the beautiful and diverse landscapes of Olympic National Park.”
Music in the American Wild is supported by a $20,000 National Endowment for the Arts Art Works/Imagine Your Parks grant, and private donors.
Earlier this summer, Music in the American Wild completed a performance tour through national parks in several eastern states. They are now touring Washington state.
Information about the composers, musicians and other area performances is available at www.music intheamericanwild.com.
For more, visit 360-565-3130.
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Features Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at cmcdaniel@ peninsuladailynews.com.
