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. The summer season brings additional concert series to the area that showcase various musical styles and genres, many of which are offered free of charge.

American Music Festival
(252) 728-6152
www.americanmusicfestival.org

The American Music Festival is a nonprofit chamber music series featuring concerts performed from September through May. The 2009–10 series marks the 20th season of quality performances. 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 the Alexander Quartet, Nicholas Duchamp, Carolina Piano Trio and Daedalus Quartet. 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
Beaufort
(252) 422-8365

Beaufort's Music Festival takes place in May each year and is a local favorite that draws crowds from Beaufort and beyond. The event features multiple stages with live musical performances. Enjoy music and fun for the whole family for free at venues all throughout the town, including the waterfront, Beaufort Historic Site, N.C. Maritime Museum and local restaurants and pubs. Other fun events surround the festival. See our Annual Events chapter for more about this event.

Carteret Chorale
(252) 726-6193

This group of talented vocalists from Morehead City, Newport, Beaufort and the surrounding areas has performed together for more than 30 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 from 7 to 9 PM at the United Methodist Church in Swansboro. This is a non-audition chorus and welcomes new members. This chorus offers local concerts and often travels to perform. For further information, call the number above or Finley Woolston, director, at (910) 324-3684.

North Carolina Symphony - Carteret County Chapter
(252) 637-9400, (877) 627-6724

The North Carolina Symphony is a full-time, professional orchestra which performs across the state with the highest artistic standards to enrich, entertain and educate the people of North Carolina. The Symphony performs four concerts at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, including a Holiday Pops concert in December. Enjoy a free concert scheduled in early summer at Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens in New Bern. Tickets are available by calling the Symphony Box Office at (877) 627-6724 in Raleigh or the Craven County Convention and Visitors Center at (252) 637-9400.
 

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

Handscapes is an Insiders' favorite and 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 200 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

Arts & Things
704 Evans St., Morehead City
(252) 240-1979

Arts & Things on the Morehead City waterfront has something for all art enthusiasts. With a very knowledgeable and helpful staff, this gallery offers a diverse and large collection of original art, along with limited-edition and open-edition prints. Arts & Things also features stone sculptures, art glass, pottery, shorebird carvings and stained glass. They offer framing, art supplies and workshops in a variety of media.

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 and hosts workshops here.

With approximately 30 participating artists, this is a nonprofit co-op gallery operated by the artists. Members' work is displayed, and active works in progress are sometimes visible. Members offer classes and workshops in a variety of media for children and adults. The classes vary so it's best to call to see what is available. Visitors are welcome to attend special art openings and exhibits, and the receptions are open to the public. The gallery showcases two-dimensional and three-dimensional original artwork, giclee and limited-edition prints. Visitors also enjoy the gift gallery that contains a variety of handcrafted items. Hours vary seasonally, so call ahead for specific days and times of operation. 

This gallery specializes in paintings and shows an extraordinary selection. Visitors will also find works by national, regional and local artists in frequently changing exhibits. Some of the 2009 artists featured include Jimmy Craig Womble, Richard Fennell, Kyle Highsmith and Richard Garrison. Carteret Contemporary Art also provides quality custom framing at the gallery.

Salter Path