This year marks the first year for an exciting new arts and culture event. The Columbia Valley Chamber Music Festival hopes to become an annual summer music event based in Invermere and the surrounding communities. The festival runs from August 16 to 20.

Started by horn player Lauren Robinson and her husband, bassist Jeffrey White, the festival will present two concerts of chamber music, a masterclass for amateur musicians, and children’s concerts presented in conjunction with the Invermere Library’s Summer Reading Program.

The first program on August 16 at 8 p.m. at Christ Church Trinity will feature diverse music for various instruments, including world premiere composer David J. Lang’s Song Without Words for Flugelhorn and Piano, performed by Adam Zinatelli, principal trumpet of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and pianist John Barteaux. Violinist Laura Reid will play works for solo violin, as well as other collaborations for horn, bass, viola, and piano.

The second program on August 20 is also at 8 p.m. at Christ Church Trinity. It includes Trio for Horn, Violin, and Piano by Johannes Brahms, as well as the Concerto for Trumpet by Georg Philip Telemann.

Admission to either music program is $10. Tickets are available at the door.

In addition to these concerts, the festival will also include a masterclass for music students and amateur musicians. This masterclass will be free and open to the public. For more information or to sign up to participate, contact Robinson at lrrhorn@gmail.com.

Musicians will also present fun and interactive sessions for children at the library on August 19. For specific program times, contact the library at 250-342-6416.

Robinson hopes to expand the festival in coming years to incorporate more valley communities, as well as provide more opportunities for students, amateur musicians, and community members.