The Tryon Concert Association will be introducing a new set of concerts this season in addition to our regular series. Two TGIF concerts will be held at the Tryon Fine Arts Center early Friday evenings. A wine and beer bar will be open at 5:30 p.m. and the concerts will be presented from 6-7 p.m.
The first TGIF event will feature The Mountain Chamber Players, Friday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. This group, which has been together for many years, became a unified ensemble in 1998 with three founding members: Rita Hayes (flute) the late David Kirby (clarinet) and Katherine Palmer (piano). These chamber players later expanded to include percussion and brass: Brian Hermanson (clarinet) and Jason DeCristofaro (percussionist, composer). They have performed with several well-known instrumentalists and composers including Pittsburg Symphony timpanist, Timothy Adams, and Juilliard composer, Eric Ewazen.
The MCP has performed throughout the Southeast including concerts on the Sights and Sounds of Sundays Series at the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh, Fripp Island Concert Series, Brevard Music Center and at the Polk County campus of Isothermal Community College. They are now established as the Brevard College Ensemble-in-Residence.
Praise of the group comes from many:
“Audiences enthusiastically respond to their generous musical spirits, imaginative and entertaining programming and polished professionalism.” (Juilliard composer, Eric Ewazen)
“The Mountain Chamber Players have proven themselves to be ardent champions of American music.” (Indiana University composer, Claude Baker)
“…Outstanding young musicians … It has given me great pleasure and artistic satisfaction on several occasions to perform with the Mountain Chamber Players.” (Former Principle Oboe, New York Philharmonic, Joe Robinson).
Tickets for these events will be sold separately from the regular series and can be purchased at the door the evening of the concert.
To learn more about the complete season, visit tryonconcert.org.

-article submitted
by Joella Utley