Inspiring young adults with the classics

BETHEL, N.Y. — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is collaborating with Shandelee Music Festival to present a world-class classical concert series this fall.

"Play: The Classics," a series of five performances to be held in the Event Gallery at Bethel Woods in Bethel, N.Y., debuts on Sept. 15, with dates through 2017. Each concert will include a pre-concert introduction to the repertoire being performed and a post-concert “mingle with the artist” dessert and coffee reception.

Darlene Fedun, Chief Executive Officer at Bethel Woods, said the series aims to reach young adults and to introduce a love and appreciate of classical music to new audiences and youth. Heading the Youth and Outreach program will be John Bernstein, a native of Grahamsville, N.Y., a music educator at Monticello High School, a pianist, and a graduate of the Crane School of Music.

"Music has the possibility to reach all individuals, and all individuals have the possibility to explore, decipher, and enjoy music," Bernstein said.

Tickets for each performance are $37 for general reserved seating. Tickets for people age 17 and under, or students with a valid college ID, are available for $17 at the Bethel Woods box office only.

Tickets are now on sale at bethelwoodscenter.org, Ticketmaster, or by phone at 845-583-2060.