The first day of general ticket sales for the 2011 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is May 25 and some islanders get up at the crack of dawn to secure the best possible concert seats.

“Early Bird” patrons have been known to arrive at Orcas Center as early as 5 a.m. They’re greeted with coffee, goodies, music and friends.  Ticket orders will be taken starting at 8 a.m.  Phone sales will begin at 10 a.m., by calling 376-2281.  Online sales will begin at 2 p.m. on May 25 and continue throughout the Festival Aug. 12 through 27.  Go to www.oicmf.org.

The 14th season of the Chamber Music Festival features Baritone Philip Cutlip, internationally known on opera stages of the world, and Canada’s celebrated Gryphon Trio, who will perform the greatest of Beethoven’s Trios.

Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann and Artistic Advisor and pianist Jon Kimura Parker will welcome back festival favorites: violinists Chee-Yun, Martin Chalifour and Martin Friedmann, as well as cellist Desmond Hoebig and clarinetist Owen Kotler.  New Festival artists include the viola/piano duo of Yizhak Schotten and Katherine Collier, international performers who have directed music festivals from Maui to Colorado.  Hear music from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Messiaen’s haunting Quartet for the End of Time, the powerful Brahms Piano Quintet, a touch of Tango, a sprinkle of Gershwin, and other timeless chamber music.

For the complete repertoire, go to www.oicmf.org  and click on the Season Program Concert Listing page. Call the OICMF office at 376-6636 with any questions.