Mary Poletti introduces Music Lovers’ Seminars by asking questions.

Simply love the music? Curious about the origins and context of a piece of music? Or enjoy the challenge of following the developing theme central to a composer’s work?

Catherine Pederson’s motive for attending is because she wants to “hear an overview of the 2009 Chamber Music Festival from an ebullient, passionate lover of music who has an encyclopedic knowledge of its history, style, composition, performance and performers!”

Music Lovers’ Seminars focus on the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s concert programming and the topics close to the hearts and minds of musicians and music lovers. The seminar occurs just before the opening of Festival ticket sales on May 20 to help patrons in the selection of concert evenings and to celebrate Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann’s carefully chosen repertoire.

George Shangrow will return to Orcas as the guest lecturer for offer a Music Lovers’ Seminar on Saturday, May 9 at the St. Francis Catholic Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuition is $20. Call 376-6636 or e-mail Victoria@oicmf.org or send tuition to PO Box 646, Eastsound.

Participants may also register at the door the day of the seminar if space is available. Youth may attend free and are welcome. Bring brown bag lunch for mid-day break. Coffee, tea, water, special snacks prepared by treat makers Mary Poletti, Eileen Pyka, Karen Hedge, and Trisha Loop. Flowers will be done by Velma Doty.

Shangrow is well known for his breadth of historical knowledge blended with contemporary wit and humor. A musician with a broad range of skills as a conductor and music director, he founded the Seattle Chamber Singers in 1969 and Orchestra Seattle in 1979. A University of Washington graduate, he began his professional conducting career at age 18. He has conducted world premieres of many operas, orchestral, and choral works and as an educator, he has taught music history, theory, and composition at Seattle University, Seattle Community College, and Seattle Conservatory of Music. He was also the former announcer and host of the Live! By George radio program on Classical KING-FM.

The 2009 festival season dates are August 16 to 29. Visiting artists and programming were recently announced by Friedmann and are now listed on www.oicmf.org.