From left, Scott Flavin, Lindsay Garritson and Ross Harbaugh of The Bergonzi Trio, one of the best loved groups appearing for the 23rd year to the Pine Mountain Music Festival. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE – The Pine Mountain Music Festival is proud to announce an exciting season. This years festival marks the 29th year of bringing classical and world Music to the communities of Marquette, Iron Mountain, Crystal Falls, Houghton, Hancock and Calumet.

Perhaps the most notable new dimension comes from the inclusion of the UPStarts, young performers from across the U.P., joining Miles Massicotte, pianist, and Giovanni Perez, flutist, both from New York who will act as mentor professionals to the UPStarts. PMMF will present the group of eight dynamic young performers in a single show opening as the finale of Marquette’s Artweek celebrations, in the Presque Isle Bandshell on June 28. Free to all thanks to Travel Marquette and the Arts and Culture Office of Marquette. The group will travel to Iron Mountain and Houghton on June 29-30. Of special note to opera fans, UPStart soprano, Liz Grugin will join Karen Albert in Delibes’ Duo des fleurs / Sous le dome epais from Lakme. Arias from Rossini and Bizet echo 29 years of PMMF opera.

 The classical foundation of PMMF for years has been the Bergonzi String Quartet. This year Scott Flavin and Ross Harbaugh are joined by the young piano virtuoso, Lindsay Garritson. Beethoven’s Archduke Trio is being prepared for this season by special request. In addition to offering concerts in Iron Mountain, Marquette and at the Rozsa Center in Houghton, The Bergonzi Trio will be presenting Free Family Concerts in libraries in all three towns in the afternoon.

 Making a big statement in Traditional and World Music circles is Moira Smiley who will also offer choral workshops as part of The Pine Mountain Music Festival. “Wow!” said Erin Colwitz, Head of Choral music at Northern Michigan University, in a news release. “I’ve been trying to get her here for years!” 

Erin’s Community Chorus will join Moira and Jefferson Hamer in the Reynolds Recital Hall at NMU on June 18. 

 Jefferson Hamer, like Moira Smiley, is the performer other performers want to be beside onstage. His sensitive guitar accompaniment may be part of the reason Moira Smiley agreed to put Pine Mountain on her busy summer schedule.  Jefferson astounds as singer/songwriter and as an interpreter of Child ballads and, when he plugs in, as a dynamic rocker. The highlight, (in this director’s opinion) of the festival he attended last summer was Jefferson’s version of the Kinks’ “Victoria.” 

Watch for ticket brochures in your area or obtain complete information at pmmf.org.