After celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, the Symphony by the Lake at Chetola Resort begins a fourth decade of summer centerpiece events in 2018. This year’s Symphony by the Lake will take place Friday, July 27th. The theme, Colors of the Mountains, will be reflected in the musical selections as well as the décor of patron tents that line the lake.
The Symphony of the Mountains, directed by Conductor Cornelia Laemmli Orth, will be featured again this year. Symphony of the Mountains consists of professionally paid musicians that call a great many places home, including the Tri-Cities, TN/VA; Knoxville, TN; Asheville, NC; Winston Salem, NC; and beyond. Attendees to this year’s performance will enjoy selections such as “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg and an arrangement of Earl Scruggs’ “Foggy Mountain.” As always, the Symphony will perform the last musical selections during the thrilling fireworks finale.
In addition to the headline guests, the Symphony by the Lake also welcomes an opening act. “This year, the Symphony will feature ShadowGrass, a talented group of young musicians, for the opening performance this year. They are quite acclaimed, and we’re excited to include them,” said Charles Hardin, President of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. ShadowGrass features Presley Barker, age 14; Luke Morris, age 18; Clay Russell, age 17; and Kyser George, age 13. They create their own style while holding to their bluegrass roots, fast picking, and fresh arrangements. In 2016, ShadowGrass placed 5th in the adult bluegrass band category at the Galax Fiddler’s Convention, and the group appeared on the Today Show with Al Roker during that year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass Week in Raleigh. For the opening act, ShadowGrass will be joined by fiddler Daniel Greeson, age 21. The other four members will join the Symphony for part of the main program.
With these great performances to entertain, some attendees will want to consider the special Audiophile Section. Located just in front of the Symphony tent, this special area encourages quiet enjoyment of the event. Reserved seats and shared side tables are provided along with a charcuterie box, two beverage tickets and water. The Audiophile tickets also include is parking on the grounds nearby.
Parking at Chetola Resort is very limited, so free trolleys are provided for attendees. Guests can simply park at Tweetsie Railroad or one of the parking decks in Blowing Rock (at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum or the American Legion), and catch a ride to the back entrance at Chetola. Special parking and trolley service is available for those with mobility challenges at Food Lion. 
This trolley will take attendees directly to the lawn for seating.
Tickets are available online and at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 132 Park Avenue. Tickets purchased in advance will be available at the Chamber, and can be picked up between 3-7pm in a special drive-through Will Call on the day of the event. Tickets can also be purchased at the front and back entrance gates from 5-7:30pm.
For more details and tickets, go to symphonybythelake.com.
The Symphony by the Lake at Chetola Resort is produced by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.