Under the stars at the Music Festival
June 19th, 2008
When I wrote about the isolated beauty of the Orkney Springs Hotel, I mentioned that it is the site of the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival’s summer concert series. This deserves a little more explanation.
On selected weekends in the summer - the last concert usually being on Labor Day weekend - the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival (SVMF) concerts are held on the grounds behind the hotel. A large outdoor pavilion is surrounded by a large lawn area. Concert attendees may sit in chairs under the pavilion or they may choose lawn tickets which gives them an opportunity to set up a picnic supper and enjoy a pleasant evening.
I have been there countless times. When I worked at the newspaper, I attended concerts and the summer craft fair to do articles. But more often than not I was there to enjoy both the music and the tranquil setting.
This is a terrific place to take guests because the experience is so unique. The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra has performed there for many years and they are a personal favorite. Lying on the ground, looking up at the stars and listening to Bach or Beethoven or my favorite - Mozart - is an experience that feeds my soul.
Last summer, my husband and I took his daughter, Olivia, and her brand new fiance to the music festival to hear the Blind Boys of Alabama – a gospel group that has been singing together for more than 60 years.
Their type of gospel is infused with the original DNA from which soul, rock n’ roll and jazz all sprang. They sang spirituals, familiar hymns and even modern gospel songs written by Ben Harper.
The song that triggered my “moment” was Amazing Grace.
The music started, familiar strains of an eerie song. Olivia leaned back and said, “Is that what I think it is?” I looked at Kenny and said “That’s House of the Rising Sun, isn’t it?”
And it was. There was no mistaking those very familiar opening chords of the song recorded in 1964 by The Animals - the first folk rock tune to top the charts.
It was glorious. They may have been blind old men, but their voices are magnificent – seasoned and rich. In an industry that glorifies youth, the Blind Boys are diamonds forged by years; wine aged to perfection. Like I said, food for the soul.
I have had many memorable moments at the music festival. I will never forget the year that we were there on the peak night of the Perseid Meteor shower and we watched the shooting stars while we listened to the Fairfax Symphony play Beethoven.
Last year, my “moment” was this overwhelming feeling of understanding the lyrics to “Amazing Grace” and the irony of listening to a group of blind men singing about being able to see. The starlight sky above. The incredible voices and music. The feeling of being a small part of the galaxy, but not feeling insignificant because of that amazing grace.
This year, the festival is going to have many awesome concerts. Here is a brief schedule. You can find all the information you need at www.musicfest.org.
July 18 - Kathy Mattea
July 19 - Smithsonian Masterworks Ensemble
July 25, 26 - Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
Aug. 8 - Edwin McCain
Aug. 9 - Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
Aug. 30 - Eddie From Ohio
Aug. 31 - Cherish the Ladies
If you haven’t heard of the artist performing, there is more information on the website and you can always use Google for more info. We are thinking about the Ricky Skaggs concert. Eddie from Ohio is terrific - they played in Woodstock (VA) a couple of years ago.
We are certainly fortunate to have the Music Festival in our backyard. Come on down and give it a listen!