UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania — For more than 30 years, the Penn’s Woods Music Festival has ushered in summer with symphonic sound, stunning musical artistry, and unforgettable performances for young and old alike. The 2023 festival kicks off on June 11th with a free Music in the Gardens concert, followed by chamber ensemble, jazz and festival orchestra concerts through June 24th.
Music in the Gardens Concert
A free Music in the Gardens concert will begin at 1:00 pm at the Pennsylvania Arboretum, featuring “PW4Kids,” a children’s program by the Children’s Garden Reform Duo. Other musicians will also be sprinkled throughout the gardens, including the acclaimed River City Brass and his band from Pittsburgh, before his performance at the Maine Event Lawn at 2 p.m. In case of stormy weather, the venue will be changed to the Faculty of Music Recital Hall.
Concert of the Festival Orchestra
Audience favorites at this festival are the extraordinary soloists who perform with the festival orchestra. The Festival Orchestra’s concerts will feature flutist soloist Naomi Seidman performing CPE Bach’s Flute Concerto in D Minor on Saturday 17th June and pianist Stephen Smith performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto on Saturday 24th June. Play number 27.Both Festival Orchestra concerts start at 7pm
Penn Woods jazz performance
Fridays are reserved for Jazz at Penn’s Woods, an outdoor performance at the Olsan Stone Terrace in the Music Building. The festival will feature the Pittsburgh Trombone Project on June 16th at 7pm. Joined by a rhythm section, this professional quartet is known for its masterful arrangements of traditional and less traditional jazz standards. The second night of Jazz Under the Stars will focus on vintage styles and early swing in jazz music with guest musicians from Baltimore on June 23 at 7:00 PM.
indoor ensemble performance
Wednesday night’s concert will once again feature chamber ensembles, offering the most intimate musical performances. Familiar musicians such as violinist Max Zorin, pianist Christopher Guzman, the Pennsylvania Quintet, and the Alegria Ensemble perform music by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Mahler, and more.
Children’s concerts, music exploration, interactive concerts and more
Additional programs are being held for the festival’s newest audience. The PW4Kids program offers short concerts aimed at introducing young listeners to the possibilities of music. The festival also has programs designed to explore music in settings other than concert halls. PWPlus activities are interactive concerts with conversation, cocktails and classical music, in unusual settings that may add something unexpected to the evening (date TBD).
ticket information, etc.
Reservation and general admission tickets for June 14, 16, 17, 21, 23, and 24 concerts are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Music in the Gardens on June 11 is free (in case of bad weather, the concert will be moved to the Recital Hall). Exclusive free student rush tickets will be available starting at 6:15pm at each concert for which tickets are purchased.
Tickets are available now from this link. Direct ticket sales will take place at the Eisenhower Auditorium box office from 10am to 4pm. The Recital Hall box office opens at 6 PM prior to each concert for which tickets are purchased.
The music school’s Recital Hall and Orsan Stone Terrace are located near the northwest corner of the University Park campus, and visitor parking is available at the Nittany Parking Deck at an hourly rate. All University Park campus ground lots are now reserved 24/7.
The PWMF, in its current form since 2008, is jointly supported by Pennsylvania State University and the surrounding community, allowing professional musicians from across the country to perform alongside faculty, alumni, and graduate students from the Pennsylvania State School of Music. It’s a feature. Its goal is to inspire a passion for classical music through innovative concert programs, educational activities and informal events such as PW4Kids for young musicians. The 2023 festival will be co-hosted by the School of Music, WPSU, Foxdale Village, Designer’s Studio and Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
For more information, including concert and educational program details, visit pwmf.psu.edu.
