No half measures in music for close quarters

Chamber music is not composed for big auditoriums and that makes it perfect for Laguna’s small venues.

Audiences will have the opportunity to hear chamber music as it should be heard at the fourth annual Laguna Beach Chamber Music Festival.

The week-long festival showcases master musicians and gifted pupils in a close teaching environment that concludes with three concerts conducted in intimate settings, starting Tuesday.

“I liken chamber music to a small dinner party compared to a large cocktail party ? both are nice, but you get more involved at an intimate dinner,” said Lucinda Prewitt, founder of Laguna Beach Live!

“Chamber music originally was performed in homes. It is composed for a small number of performers, to be played in small rooms ? chambers ? whether it is classic music or jazz.”

The festival is a blend of education, events and performances held throughout Laguna.

2006 Distinguished Mentor Musician, double bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, will perform in the first and third concerts, with nine emerging instrumentalists selected for the festival.

The emerging musicians are: violinists Kathryn Eberle and Katie Hyun, pianists Soyeon Lee and Kevin Kwan Loucks, cellist Mihai Marica and California Quartet members Bridget Dolkas, Mirabai Weismehl, Christine Grossman and Erin Breene.

Meyer is a musical chameleon, who performs and composes music from classical to bluegrass.

Mandolinist Mike Marshall, also a master of varied genre, will join Meyer for the second concert, “Between Friends,” flavored by bluegrass.

Concert tickets are $30 for center orchestra seats, $25 for general admission and $15 for full-time students with identification, 15% less if tickets to all three concerts are purchased.

For tickets, visit www.PhilharmonicSociety.org or call (949) 533-2422.

For more information or to request a full schedule of events, call the same number or visit www.Laguna BeachChamberMusic Festival.org, www.lagunabeach live.org or the Philharmonic web site.