Some of the most gifted musicians ever to visit Cobleskill will be coming to town next Friday, August 12.
The Caroga Lake Music Festival, including more than two dozen pedigree performers, will play at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 7pm.
Cobleskill residents John and Martha Price, who have a summer home at Caroga Lake, arranged to have the musicians come to Cobleskill.
The Prices have followed and supported the music festival since its inception in 2012. And they're most impressed with founder Kyle Price, who's no relation.
Now 24, Kyle Price has been playing cello since age 4. He's won numerous international awards and is now seeking his Doctorate in music.
But it was at his family's summer home at Caroga Lake that Kyle began putting his festival together.
"He said, 'Some day, I'd like to bring my friends to play,' " Martha Price said. "And in 2012, he put his plan into action."
Kyle brought eight musicians the first year, 12 the next, and three years later, he has 24. The group will be playing for four weeks, and Friday's concert is the only one in Cobleskill.
"The first year we thought we'd go, and we were like, 'Whoo,' " Ms. Price said. "They were great."
Chamber music will be the forte. The music festival played works by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Brahms, Dvorak, Vivaldi and Grieg at a recent concert.
"You don't have to be a follower of classical music to be impressed," Ms. Price said.
Besides playing at Caroga Lake and nearby venues, the music festival has also played in New York City and Saratoga Performing Arts Center, among others.
The Prices enjoy the music, but it's the musicians who interest them most. All are young people trained at such schools as the Yale School of Music, Julliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, New England Conservatory and others.
"Even though they're all young, they're at the top of their profession," Ms. Price said.
A flyer describes the Caroga Lake Music Festival artists as being "dedicated to presenting chamber music in this relaxed, naturally intimate backdrop of the Adirondacks."
The musicians may be from all over the country, but they still converge on Caroga Lake every summer.
Part of the reason is Kyle Price. He formed the group, conducts outreach sessions and has generated tremendous community support in Caroga Lake.
"The caliber of young person he is. . .he's phenomenal," Mr. Price said.
As an example, Mr. Price pointed to Kyle's hopes to turn a vacant Caroga Lake amusement park into a music center.
"He just turned 24, but he's a visionary," Ms. Price added.
As for Kyle garnering local backing, the entire community supports the music festival by providing food and lodging for the musicians during their four-week stay, she added.
But it's the music that holds the whole piece together.
"They're not just sort of good. They're fabulous," Ms. Price said.
Friday's concert is free, but there will be free-will donations.