The Reynolds & Emlen Duo will be performing in Oysterville.

PENINSULA – The Oct. 15-17 Water Music Festival XXVI provides “Romance with Music – from Baroque to Ballads and Beyond” and features a top-rated chamber ensemble, a classical pianist noted for her artistry and connection soul-to-soul with her audiences, and for her performance of works of romantic composers, a big-band vocalist, a noteworthy Seattle-area jazz trio, a talented chamber duo from Astoria, and outstanding local young artists.

Friday night with Mozart’s Magic Flutes The first WMF concert features “Mozart’s Magic Flutes” – performed by an outstanding chamber ensemble from Eugene. The 7:30 p.m. program at Hilltop Auditorium will feature Jill Pauls, Debra Harris, Ann Grabe, and John Jantzi.

Pauls is principal flute of the Oregon Mozart Players, the Eugene Opera Orchestra, and the OSU/Corvallis Symphony. Harris plays piccolo and flute with the Rogue Valley Symphony and is second flutist with the Oregon Mozart Players. Grabe is principal cellist of the Oregon Mozart Players and OSU/Corvallis Symphony and has received a Musikerziehung and Aufbaustudium Diplom from the Musikhochschule in Stuttgart, Germany. Jantz is principal keyboardist of the Oregon Mozart Players, Chorus Master and Music Director of the Artist Mentor Program for Eugene Opera, and recipient of a Masters of Music degree in conducting and a Ph.D.in Music Theory from the University of Oregon. Come prepared to become mesmerized by the wonderful music of the Baroque period.

Young local artist Brier Gregory will open the program with a short selection.

Tickets are $20 (students free).

Saturday morning with Baroque, Ballads and Beyond The 10 a.m. Saturday free concert at the Inn at Harbour Village in Ilwaco will feature young local talent and a noteworthy jazz trio from Port Townsend – the Chuck Easton Trio.

Featured local Young Artists performing are August Davenport, Brooke Flood, Brier Gregory, Dane Gregory, and Anja Patten.

The Chuck Easton Trio then offers something for everyone, with a mix of ballads, blues, jazz and “beyond.” The “beyond” part of the free program features guitarist Chuck Easton switching to his tuba and keyboardist George Radebaugh indulging the audience with some accordion favorites. Be prepared to swing, sway and stomp your feet as this versatile group offers its delightful mix.

Guitarist Chuck Easton has served on the faculty for the Northwest Big Band Festival and the Bud Shank Workshop, along with his work as a music teacher in the Port Townsend area. Besides electric guitar and tuba, Chuck also plays bass, flute, alto sax, trombone, and (if approached diplomatically) piccolo.

Pianist George Radebaugh – a preferred accompanist for many jazz singers – currently focuses on jazz improvisation and is heard throughout the Pacific Northwest playing jazz, funk and other styles.

Drummer Tim Sheffel has played in many of the great jazz clubs in the San Francisco area and has worked with Kent Glen, Bob Maize, Tom Harrrel and others.

Admission is free. Donations are cheerfully accepted.

Saturday afternoon going Baroque+ with cello and violin

The Reynolds & Emlen Duo draws upon a vast range of musical experiences to present a unique performance on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Oysterville Church.

Their repertoire encompasses favorite Baroque and classical music for violin and cello, including Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Bartok, and some modern Romanian Gypsy selections.

Their performances are marked with light-hearted presentations, authentic costumes and stories, and energy and sensitivity.

Young Artist Brooke Flood will open the 2:00 p.m. program.

Tickets for this event are $15, seating is limited, and this program is not included in the season pass for WMF.

Saturday evening with a remarkable classical pianist As described by one San Francisco Bay area reviewer, classical pianist Tien Hsieh is “serious, composed, tiny and full of music.” Hsieh will display her artistry at the piano at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilltop Auditorium.

Tien Hsieh is a prizewinner of numerous competitions, recipient of the prestigious Roy M. Rubenstein Award from the Manhattan School of Music, and a recipient of the Li-Ching Cultural and Educational Foundation Grant (representing cross-cultural exchange). Following her New York Recital Debut at Carnegie Hall, she appeared in numerous festivals and recitals in the U. S., Germany, China, and Hungary.

Hsieh is acclaimed for electrifying performances of heroically-difficult selections and her Saturday evening performance promises a warmth and freshness of ideas to delight her audience.

Opening the evening program will be Young Artist Madison Baker.

Tickets are $25. Students are admitted free.

Saturday artists’ reception

After the Tien Hsieh performance, the public is invited to Pelican’s Restaurant (177 Howerton Avenue SE, at the Port of Ilwaco) for a 9:30 p.m. artist reception. Enjoy beverages, tasty desserts, and an opportunity to greet and visit with WMF performers.

Space is limited. $12 in advance.

Sunday finale with a.m.erican Songbooks The Barbara Blair Quartet presents an afternoon of feel-good classic melodies from the a.m.erican Songbooks. The 2 p.m. program at Hilltop Auditorium begins with a short selection from Young Artist Anja Patten, then moves to Blair’s “stunning interpretations, delivered with panache” (as described by KMUN-NPR’s David Hammock).

Influenced by Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney, Blair has toured and performed for over two decades. Her education concert – The School of Cool – an Introduction to Jazz – has played to more than 50,000 primary and secondary-school students. One recent recording, September in the Rain, features Joe Pass protégé guitarist Brian Nova, Sinatra bassist Buddy Catlett, and Stan Kenton drummer Greg Williamson.

Accompanying Blair are Dan Presley, Dave Averre, and George Mitchell. Sting bassist Presley has performed since 1969, touring the U.S., Canada, Japan and South Korea. He also plays with Tall Jazz, a popular Portland group. Drummer Dave Averre has worked as a studio musician in New York City, performed in Europe, and played with Tall Jazz. Pianist George Mitchell has been pop superstar Diana Ross’s first-call pianist for more then two decades, and has appeared on the Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC’s Today Show, and Oprah.

Tickets are $15. Students admitted free.

WMF programs and artists are subject to change. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. Tickets for orders received two weeks prior to concert will be held at the door.

To order tickets online, visit (watermusicfestival.com). For more information, call (360) 665-4466.

The Water Music Festival is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to bringing quality music to the Lower Columbia River Region.