Variety is the key to the Bar Harbor Music Festival, and on more than just the musical front. Concertgoers can take in everything from string orchestra concerts and nights of jazz or brass to New Composers concerts and even Opera!
Our venues are as varied as the musical menu: the Bar Harbor Congregational Church, known for its excellent acoustics; "Balance Rock Inn 1903" , the magnificent turn-of-the-century shorefront mansion built for Scottish railroad tycoon Alexander Maitland and his family; Blackwoods Campground Amphitheatre in spectacular Acadia National Park, the amazing art-deco Criterion Theater (a jewel in the heart of downtown) and the elegant Bar Harbor Regency Holiday Inn Walsh House. To quote music critic, Harty Preble Archer, "A trip to the Bar Harbor Music Festival is never disappointing."
Acclaimed by Phi Beta Baton as "one of the nations proving grounds for gifted young artists", the Bar Harbor Music Festival has gained national recognition as one of the few music festivals in the United States whose mission is to provide essential performance opportunities for outstanding upandcoming talent. Over the past 42 years, the Festival has advanced the careers of over 1,500 aspiring professional instrumentalists, singers, and composers (from www.barharbormusicfestival.org)
The Mount Desert Summer Chorale celebrates the fortieth anniversary of its founding in 1968 by John Harms and Allen Sever with a performance of the beloved German Requiem by Johannes Brahms. Soloists are soprano Carole FitzPatrick and baritone Robert Barefield, and the orchestra are members of the Bangor Symphony.
Music Director Emeritus George Emlen will make a guest appearance to conduct a short work, and David Schildkret, current music director of the Summer Chorale, will conduct the Requiem.
Starts at 8pm with a pre-concert talk at 7:30pm. St. Saviour’s Church, 41 Mt. Desert St.
Admission is by donation at the door ($15 suggested). For more information contact david.schildkret@asu.edu. For ticket information contact Ephron Catlin, 207-244-3923 (from www.barharborinfo.com).
A 7 day festival of jazz with concerts and events happening all around town, from outdoor cafes to the grand old art-deco Criterion Theatre, from the public Village Green, to local pubs and restaurants. The Festival features modern jazz, classics, and great vocalists as well. Founded in 2004, the Bar Harbor Jazz Festival hopes to add another dimension to the great history of music here in Bar Harbor (from www.barharborinfo.com).
Hand-made crafts by Maine Artisans on the Bar Harbor Village Green, Main & Mt Desert Streets. For more information contact the YWCA MDI, 207-288-5008 (from www.barharborinfo.com).
A celebration of wine, food and song…Excite your senses and savor the experience at one of New England’s premier wine festivals (from www.barharborinfo.com).
Four fun days of kayaking instruction with top coaches in the waters surrounding Acadia National Park including tidal currents, rock gardening, rolling, Greenland skills, rescues, with many for beginners and a full slate of BCU training and assessments. Contact Aquaterra Adventures at www.aquaterra-adventures.com or by calling 1-877-386-4124 (from www.barharborinfo.com)
Over 35 artists (painters and photographers) will display and sell their original works on the Village Green at the corner of Main & Mt. Desert Streets.
Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Rain or shine. For more information call 207-288-5103 (from www.barharborinfo.com).
The YMCA’s Annual Half-Marathon is USA TAC Certified. This challenging course includes 9 miles on Acadia National Park’s Carriage Roads, providing a pristine, car free experience. Walkers start at 7:30am, everyone else at 8:30am. The 5K is a professionally timed race and is held on a GPS measured course. Proceeds from these races support the MDI YMCA’s scholarship program. Download a registration form at www.mdiymca.org. Contact Lisa Tweedie, fitness@mdiymca.org for more information. 207-288-3511 x113 (from www.barharborinfo.com).
Four island communities will host the 7th annual MDI Marathon. A weekend of special events ending with the 26-mile, 385-yard marathon run Sunday at 8am along a seaside route held during peak fall foliage season. This race is a Boston Marathon qualifier. For more information 207-276-4226 or information@mdimarathon.org (from www.barharborinfo.com)
Set your alarm early and shop in your PJs for extra discounts. The pajama parade and fashion show will begin at the Village Green at 9:30am. Meet at the gazebo at 9am to receive your entry number. Prizes awarded for best sleepwear. 207-288-5103 (from www.barharborinfo.com).
Help us welcome Santa to Bar Harbor at the Village Green. Plenty of activities for adults and children, including having pictures taken with Santa. The 8th Annual Midnight Madness Sale will be held from 8pm-midnight. There will be great discounts, music, food, drink and door prizes! 207-288-5103 (from www.barharborinfo.com)