The Yellow Barn Road to Chamber Music Excellence

Sunday, April 3rd, at 7 pm, the Peabody Trio will feature in a musical soirée for the benefit of the Yellow Barn Music School and Festival Scholarship Fund. A good cause and exquisite enjoyment seldom go hand in hand as much as when you can attend a chamber music concert at the intimate setting of the home of Sasha and Thaïs Mark, local music lovers of the first order.

Having had the immense pleasure of their musical-evening hospitality before, I can attest to the additional excellence of the following wine, cheese, and dessert reception following an evening of Beethoven. The evening will serve as an "insider's look" at the Archduke Trio in B-flat major, op. 97. Both discussed and performed, the event fits neatly into the schedule of the three subsequent performances of the Peabody Trio in Beethoven's Piano Trios at the Corcoran's last Musical Evening Series concerts on April 15th and 29th and May 13th. Washingtonians probably don't need much introduction to the Naumburg Chamber Music Award-winning Peabody Trio, which has performed at the highest musical level for the last 15 years and brought their skill to Washington on numerous occasions.

The Yellow Barn Music School and Festival is an annual gathering of 60 musicians from around the world in Putney, Vermont. For five weeks they explore the riches of the chamber music repertoire and present more than 30 public concerts. World-renowned artists play alongside exceptionally gifted young professionals, and a distinctive and compelling kind of music-making results: fresh, impassioned, and keenly alive. More information can be found at their Web site (www.yellowbarn.org) or at 1-800-639-3819.

A silent auction after the concert (a private concert by the Peabody Trio, excellent vino, weekend getaways to Vermont with Yellow Barn tickets and much more can be attained) will supplement the suggested (and very appreciated) donation of $60. Given the "venue," seating is naturally limited, and if you wish to attend, replying by March 28th is encouraged (Call 202-363-4353 or 1-800-639-3819 x101). What better way to get your classical music and contribute to music's benefit—especially now that we don't know what to do with the money we no longer give to WETA.