BELLOWS FALLS — Stone Church Arts will present the New England Mandolin Ensemble and participants in the seventh Festival of Mandolin Chamber Music with special guest conductor, Jacob Rouven of Israel, in concert on Sunday, July 10, at 3 p.m. The concert takes place in the air-conditioned Chapel at Immanuel Episcopal Church, 20 Church St, according to a news release.
Founded by August Watters, a Boston-area teacher and composer, the Festival of Mandolin Chamber Music is designed for the classical mandolin community and for concert-goers interested in classical chamber music.
The purpose of the festival is to create learning and performance opportunities for those interested in chamber music composed for mandolin and its related instruments, as well as classical guitar. Participants rehearse in preparation for the concert, which is the finale of the workshop.
Reuven, the guest conductor, is a founding member of the Kerman Mandolin Quartet and director of Israel's Beer-Sheva Conservatory, the nucleus of Israel's burgeoning classical mandolin scene.
According to the news release, Reuven has established himself as one of the most intriguing and sought-after mandolin players to have emerged from Israel in recent years, displaying “a unique combination of technical brilliance and a rich musical persona.” His broad musical horizons encompass everything from classical music, baroque music, contemporary music, and world music, to music for modern dance and theater.