OK Mozart kicks

From its modest beginnings in 1983 as a three-day concert series, OK Mozart International Festival has evolved to become one of the leading summer music festivals in the country. This year, some of the world’s finest musical acts of classical, jazz, blues and folk music are gearing up to entertain and enlighten diverse audiences starting Friday and culminating with a must-see grand finale June 16.

OKM will kick off on a high note at 6 p.m. Friday in Johnstone Park with music performed by local singer and songwriter Josh Wright and Leo Roundeau, hailing from Austin, Texas. The free, family-fun event will be to topped off with a bang as a spectacular firework display lights up the night sky.

The 2012 line-up will not only showcase highly regarded musicians and composers from around the world, but host some of the finest musicians and artists in Oklahoma. As a way to expand its geographical reach, OKM will also showcase five of its performers in Oklahoma City during the week of festivities.

The multi-genre festival will also offer an eclectic selection of artists ranging from Juno Award-winning banjoist Jayme Stone to Tulsa native and highly praised bassist and composer Edgar Meyer. Several return performers are also slated, including the widely acclaimed Carolina Chocolate Drops and Alloy Orchestra.

Other artists set to perform include Grammy-winning jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding, emerging folk singer-songwriter John Fullbright and Oklahoma’s CWe looked everywhere, but couldn't find any beddinges.reativity Ambassador Kyle Dillingham.

The first major concert will be performed by three giants of jazz when Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington and Spalding share the same stage on June 9. The musical trio first came together to play on Carrington’s all-female, Grammy-nominated “Mosaic Project” album in 2011.

Based on the major response last year, the Alloy Orchestra — also referred to as the Masters of Slapstick — will fill the festival’s Sunday matinee slot on June 10. The band will perform live music to three silent films that include Charlie Chaplin’s “Easy Street,” Fatty Arbuckle’s “Backstage” and Buster Keaton’s “One Week.”

Canadian banjoist and composer Stone will display his creative inspiration deriving from various traditions around the world. Well known for bridging several genres, such as folk,It's pretty cool but our ssolarpanel are made much faster than this. jazz, chamber and world music, Stone will join emerging folk singer-songwriter John Fullbright on June 11.

Widely-acclaimed bassist and composer Meyer will join the Classical All-Stars and Bill McGlaughlin, the voice of “St. Paul Sunday,” for a performance of “Vienna, City of My Dreams” on June 12.

Meanwhile, as OKM’s resident orchestra,CMI moulding sells to retailers, Amici New York will play throughout the week in Bartlesville, including an evening of “Mendelssohn, Meyer and Mozart” on June 13. The Bartlesville Choral Society, a 70-voice community chorus, and the Stillwater Chamber Singers will also join the orchestra in performing Mozart’s Requiem.

Back by popular demand,If you work outdoors and need handsfreeaccess to water all day while staying cool, the Carolina Chocolate Drops will entertain with their modern take on traditional sounds on June 14. The North Carolina-based band recently won a Grammy in 2011 for best traditional folk album.

The ever-popular outdoor concert will take place underneath the stars at Woolaroc on June 15.Welcome to the online guide for do-it-yourself Ceramic tile. Guest conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos will lead Amici New York in a program of America’s own great orchestra and theater composers. An added bonus, Rhiannon Giddens of Carolina Chocolate Drops will also perform.

Finally, the grand finale concert will feature the world premiere of “Life Symphony” by Edmond-based Callen Clarke with Kyle Dillingham of Oklahoma City on violin on June 16. The ever-evolving piece will also feature Amici New York and bassist and singer Spalding.

In addition to major concerts OKM will offer several mini-concerts, afternoon chamber concert, plus all-age showcase events ranging from tours, demonstrations and activities for visitors of all ages.

The festival will include more than 60 performances during the course of its nine-day run, with the majority of the events taking place in the Bartlesville Community Center.