Symphony by the Lake

Charlotte Philharmonic To Perform at Chetola Resort July 24

Story by Anna Oakes

Photos by Lonnie Webster

A delicious picnic, a blanket on the soft grass, rich orchestral sounds and a fireworks finale combine for a perfect evening under the stars at Symphony by the Lake, taking place for the 22nd year on Friday, July 24, at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock.

The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce sponsors the highly anticipated annual event. About 2,000 people attended the performance in 2008.
“It gets more and more popular every year,” said Stephanie Keener, membership services director for the Blowing Rock Chamber. “People love it. It’s just a big ol’ party, and everybody enjoys the symphony.”

Returning for the second consecutive year is the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Maestro Albert Moehring, a native of Amsterdam. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking, and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m., followed immediately by a fireworks display sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Stanley K. Tanger.

Concertgoers are welcome to bring a picnic basket or enjoy a picnic buffet prepared by The Manor House Restaurant at Chetola. Alcoholic beverages are permitted. The picnic buffet costs $12 for adults and $8 for kids and includes hot sandwich plates, burgers and veggie burgers, chicken breast sandwiches, smoked salmon pastrami, a Southwest veggie wrap, cold salad and iced tea. Assorted sodas are available for $2.

The Symphony Prix Fixe Dinner on the lakefront patio, a four-course meal prepared by The Manor House, is currently sold out.

Keener said that a couple of patron tents are still available for purchase. Businesses or families can purchase a patron tent, which includes 12 tickets, chairs and an eight-foot banquet table. Patrons receive special parking privileges and can drop off and pick up items from their tents. Usually, about 25 patron tents are set up at the symphony, Keener said.

The chamber provides a free shuttle from the Food Lion Shopping Center in Blowing Rock to Chetola. The shuttle is handicapped accessible and drops concertgoers off at the lawn with minimal walking distance. Parking is also available at Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway.

Keener wants to remind attendees to be patient at the end of the event, as the shuttle tends to be slowed by traffic. “The shuttle will come back and get them as soon as it can,” she said.

The chamber also relies on many volunteers to staff Symphony by the Lake. If you are interested in volunteering, call the chamber at 828-295-7851.

Tickets to Symphony by the Lake are $25 for adults and $8 for kids under 12. For tickets or more information, call 828-295-7851 or click to www.BlowingRock.com.

Want To Go?

Date: Friday, July 24
Time: 5:30 p.m. gates open/7:30 p.m. concert
Location: Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock
Cost: $25 adults/$8 kids under 12

About the Charlotte Philharmonic

Maestro Albert Moehring

Led by Maestro Albert Moehring, a native of Amsterdam, the Charlotte Philharmonic is a professional 70-piece orchestra. Moehring trained at the respected Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada. He pursued further studies at the Aspen School of Music in Colorado. Moehring has worked and studied with such renowned conductors as Walter Susskind, Leonard Bernstein and Leonard Slatkin.

A new addition to this year’s Symphony by the Lake will be vocal performances by Norman Large and Christina Saffron Ashford. Both are well-known singers and actors and have been on stage with performances of many well-known musicals such as Cats, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific and others. Many will recognize Large from his roles on television shows such as Star Trek: The Next Generation (as the Romulan Emperor), Seinfeld and JAG.

“They’ll be singing with the Philharmonic. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Stephanie Keener, membership services director for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.

The Charlotte Philharmonic’s program will include the “Star-Spangled Banner,” tunes from My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Camelot, Phantom of the Opera and other Broadway classics, the “Radetzky March” and a surprise appearance by a guest conductor.