The community is invited to attend a Family Concert on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta. The Damariscotta River Association has partnered with fellow nonprofits Salt Bay Chamberfest and Lincoln Theater to provide the Music & Nature Camp and Concert to Damariscotta region communities. The camp experience culminates in a performance of eight new works of nature-inspired music composed by children.

Throughout the two weeks of the Music & Nature Camp, each of the 9-to-12-year-olds in the camp will compose an original piece of music.  James Blachly, composer and founder of the Sheep Island Ensemble, and the internationally renowned Salt Bay Chamberfest musicians are working together with DRA to create a unique music and nature experience for children.

Blachly will work with DRA’s Education Director Sarah Gladu to blend the curriculum Jon Deak has used successfully for over 15 years in the Very Young Composers project of the New York Philharmonic with the popular Camp Mummichog curriculum, which Gladu developed and has directed since 2006. Blachly will introduce different musical instruments and beginning concepts of musical composition; Gladu will teach natural history and ecology through diverse hands-on activities at the DRA Great Salt Bay Heritage Farm property, a visit to Stratton Island for a day, and a kayak adventure on Great Salt Bay.

Conductor Mark Mandarano, Salt Bay Chamberfest's dynamic and popular pre-concert lecturer and program annotator, will emcee this family concert, which will include pastoral works by classical composers, as well as the premiere the young people's music, all played by members of Salt Bay Chamberfest.

Children of all ages and their parents are welcome.

Tickets are available at www.saltbaychamberfest.org. Admission is $5 for adults, or you may bring a canned good for the local food pantry for each person in your party and attend for free. Children are admitted free of charge.

For more information about the Music and Nature Camp or the Family Concert, contact the DRA at 207-563-1393 or dra@damariscottariver.org,or Salt Bay Chamberfest at 207-522-3749.