Midwest Mozart Festival returns to celebrate Mozart in Woodstock

The 2017 Midwest Mozart Festival continues on Sundays, Aug. 6 and 13, at the historic Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St. The opera house is more than 125 years old and lovingly restored.

On Aug. 6, the "Mozart: The Young Genius" program features Symphony No. 2, K 17 (L. Mozart) and Horn Concerto No. 3, K 447 (W.A. Mozart) with Michael Buckwalter featured on horn. "Sinfonia" from Artemisia (D. Cimarosa) and Symphony No. 29, K 201 (W.A. Mozart) complete the performance that starts at 3 p.m.

The festival concludes on Aug. 13 at the Opera House with the "Mozart Moves to Vienna" program composed of the Overture to Marriage of Figaro, K 492 (W.A. Mozart) and Violin Concerto No. 3, K 216 (W.A. Mozart) featuring Kevin Case on violin. The performance finishes with Symphony No. 40, K 550 (W.A. Mozart). The program begins at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $45. To purchase tickets and learn more about the Midwest Mozart Festival, visit www.midwestmozart.org.

"When one thinks of the music of Mozart, one is struck by the incredible attention to detail. At the same time, Mozart's music is filled with joy and passion for life," said Brian Groner, the festival's artistic director and conductor.

The Midwest Mozart Festival, a community and cooperative effort, seeks to offer the cultural experience of fine music to a diverse public audience at affordable prices.

Last year, the festival developed a collaborative mission as part of its annual presentation: concerts, culture and community.

• Concerts - Provide Northern Illinois with classical music performances of the highest caliber.

• Culture - Offer the unique cultural experience of fine music to a diverse public audience at an affordable price.

• Community - Extend support and assistance to the communities in which we perform through partnerships with local businesses and active participation in local economic development programs. Another significant goal is to interact with and support music students in schools and other educational facilities by offering access to reduced-price tickets and special programming.

The Midwest Mozart Festival's youth-serving mission strives to promote and encourage music education to students. Musicians from the festival provide support to local school systems by volunteering at summer music camps and providing coaching for players who participate in sectionals. The professional musicians from the orchestra will play alongside music students at sponsored events with a professional conductor and hold a student/professional musician concert afterward.

The Midwest Mozart Festival concerts offer youth and student tickets at significantly reduced prices or for free, based on sponsorship availability for the music education fund and program. Students who attend concerts are offered an opportunity to see a world-class classical orchestra performance and even speak to the musicians in person afterward. This experience can be a catalyst to continue the pursuit of higher-level music education and possibly even a future career in music.

To learn more about the historic Woodstock Opera House, visit www.woodstockoperahouse.com.