Music

The Crystal Coast is home to several choral groups that perform often and occasionally audition new prospects. We are fortunate to host an extraordinary concert series, a wonderful music festival weekend in the spring, and active jazz and folk art music societies that promote, in concerts and education, America's most innovative music styles.

American Music Festival
(252) 728-4488
www.americanmusicfestival.org

The American Music Festival is a non-profit chamber music series featuring concerts performed from September through May. The year 2008 marks the concert series' 19th season. The series is supported by subscription ticket purchase, grants, donations and donor sponsorships and is managed by a volunteer board of directors. Donations to the fund further promote music with an educational outreach program that takes the gifted musicians into area schools. Past concerts included world-class performances by musicians of Duke University's Ciompi Quartet, the New Century Sax Quartet, the Degas String Quartet and the Alexander String Quartet as well as series favorites such as pianist Barbara McKenzie and the Carolina Piano Trio. Series subscriptions for five concerts start at $100. Individual performance tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students and military. Performances usually take place on Saturdays at 8 PM at The History Place in Morehead City.

Beaufort By-The-Sea Music Festival
PO Box 459, Beaufort

Beaufort's Music Festival takes place in May each year. The event features four or five stages with a variety of music with something to suit everyone's tastes, regardless of their age. See our Annual Events chapter for more about this event.

Carteret Chorale
Laurence Stith
(252) 726-6193

This group of talented vocalists from Morehead City, Newport, Beaufort and the surrounding areas has performed together for more than 20 years, creating a chorale known widely for its top-notch performances. The chorale performs benefit concerts regularly in Carteret County and has taken its talent to Williamsburg, Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral, Yugoslavia and Russia. Director Laurence Stith, retired professional pianist, vocalist and educator, is also a composer, and the group often performs his original music.
 

Crystal Coast Choral Society
Marilyn Zmoda
(252) 247-5929

The Crystal Coast Choral Society is made up of members from several counties and is under the direction of Finley Woolston. The group generally meets for weekly rehearsals each Tuesday evening in Swansboro and welcomes new members. This chorus offers local concerts and often travels to perform.

North Carolina Symphony - Carteret County Chapter
(919) 733-2750 

The North Carolina Symphony is a full-time, professional orchestra of 64 members presented statewide with the highest artistic standards to enrich, entertain and educate the people of North Carolina. The Carteret County Chapter of the North Carolina Symphony sells tickets and raises funds to bring the state's symphony to the area for an annual Holiday Pops concert held in conjunction with the Festival of Trees. Additionally, the Symphony performs an education concert each year for area school students.
 

Art can be enjoyed in a number of places on the Crystal Coast, from museums and libraries to waterfronts and post offices. The North Carolina Maritime Museum, 315 Front Street, Beaufort, (252) 728-7317, exhibits work of state and local artists. These works complement the museum's maritime focus. Monthly exhibits are shown at Carteret General Hospital, 3500 Arendell Street, Morehead City, (252) 247-1616, sponsored by the Arts for the Hospital committee. The History Place, 1008 Arendell Street, Morehead City, (252) 247-7533, features works of various local artists. The Carteret County Public Library branches in Beaufort, Pine Knoll Shores and Newport and the Western Library sponsor artists in displays that change monthly and often include the work of adults and students. Carteret Community College, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, (252) 222-6000, displays the work of students in the college library. The Upstairs Gallery at the college also features work by students and other local and regional artists. The Morehead City Waterfront and Downtown area is home to a Fish Walk where local artists have created a number of two to three foot columns that feature fish of various types. On Harkers Island, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, (252) 728-1500, exhibits the best of hand-carved decoys and wildlife art.

Four beautifully restored murals depicting local scenes may be admired in the Beaufort Post Office on Front Street. Russian-born artist Simka Simkovitch painted these oil-on-canvas paintings in 1940. He was engaged by then-postmaster W. H. Taylor and paid $1,900 for his work. Simkovitch's fee was funded by the Fine Arts Program, a federal project that provided work for artists during the Great Depression. The large oils, ranging from 10 to 12 feet, show the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, the Orville B. mail boat, the wreck of the Crissie Wright, and a stunning scene of Canada geese. All were recently restored by conservator Elizabeth Speight of Philadelphia.
 

Continuing Education Department
Carteret Community College, 3505 Arendell St., Morehead City
(252) 222-6200

The number of galleries in Carteret County continues to increase. Many of our local artists have decided to dedicate their lives to the business of art, showcasing not only their own work but also the work of others. What follows is merely a sampling of some of the area's tried-and-true galleries. As you tour the area, we promise you'll find a treasure chest of other galleries to visit too.

Atlantic Beach

Beaufort

Handscapes is an Insiders' favorite and is the perfect place to find unusual gifts and treasures. The gallery specializes in works by North Carolinians as well as artists and craftspeople from all around the country. Owner Alison Brooks fills the shop with pottery, jewelry, prints, paintings, glass and metal craft items. More than 180 artists are represented, and it is a joy to see their fine workmanship. The store is open year round, seven days a week. Call for winter hours.

Morehead City

Art Escapes and Frames
Morehead Plaza, 3000 Arendell Ste.,  Morehead City
(252) 247-5111

Once a church, now a gallery and working potters' studio, Bridges Street Pottery displays and sells functional and decorative raku, porcelain and stoneware pottery made by local artists. Artists also create art tile for residential and commercial use. Potter Scott Haines, an instructor at Carteret Community College, teaches private lessons here.

With approximately 30 participating artists, this is a non-profit co-op gallery operated by the artists. Members' work is displayed, and active works in progress are visible. Members offer classes and workshops in watercolor, pastel, clay, collage and oriental brush painting. Visitors are welcome attend to special art openings.  

This gallery specializes in paintings and shows an extraordinary selection. Visitors will also find works by regional, national and local artists in frequently changing exhibits.

This waterfront gallery represents the paintings of local artist Alexander Kaszas as well as other artists in varied mediums. Art restoration and framing are also offered. Call ahead for hours.