The growing music scene in Livingston Manor has a new addition. The first annual Shin Creek Music Festival will be held from Sunday, Aug. 2 to Wednesday, Aug. 5, where renowned artists will share various compelling classical pieces.

The co-founders Geirþrúður Guðmundsdóttir and Nicky Swett are both highly talented professional cellists, composers and music researchers. Swett grew up immersed in the beauty of the Beaverkill Valley, and his passion for this special place has grown alongside his musical career. He has been able to share this place with his wife, Geirþrúður, whom he met while they were both studying cello at Northwestern University.

Guðmundsdóttir, originally from Iceland, was introduced to the quiet peacefulness of Beaverkill Valley when the couple decided to share their work and passion with the local community, creating the Shin Creek Musical Festival. Here is a list of performances featured at the festival.

Sunday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m.: The first of the concerts is one tailored for children It will take place at Catskill Art Space, 48 Main St., in Livingston Manor. This showcase will feature the festival co-directors, Swett and Guðmundsdóttir, as they perform interactive, animal-themed cello duets.
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 6 p.m.: Guðmundsdóttir will perform a solo concert at the Lew Beach Community House, 32 Shin Creek Rd., in Lew Beach. Works include pieces by J.S. Bach and Icelandic composer Guðmundur.
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6 p.m.: The Quartet Amí – Miki Nagahara, violin; Natalie Lee, violin; Gabe Napoli, viola; and Guðmundsdóttir, cello – will perform works by Bach, Shaw and Mendelssohn at the Lew Beach Community House. Additionally, Swett will perform Bach’s third “Violin Partita,” arranged as a solo cello piece.
Thursday, Aug. 6, 1 p.m.: The Lew Beach Community House will again be the venue for a performance by Nagahara, Napoli, Guðmundsdóttir, Swett and Swett’s brother Willie, double bass. They’ll play the compositions by Ravel, Arensky and Irving Berlin.

Tickets for the concerts will be for sale at the door, and children are free. The Shin Creek Music Festival will undoubtedly be a lovely addition to Catskills musical culture, a series classical music fans won’t want to miss. Find more information at lewbeachcommunityhouse.org/events-calendar.