Caramoor Plans New Programming For Summer Reopening

KATONAH, NY — Katonah's Caramoor arts center is set to reopen this summer with flexible programming intended to maintain social distance and follow New York's reopening guidance.

In a release Wednesday, Caramoor said although it's unable to continue with it's orignally planned summer schedule, it will roll out livestreamed performances, live performances for low-density audiences and limited tours of its gardens and sound art installations, tentatively scheduled to start July 16.

Caramoor said each of its programming items can be offered individually as permitted by New York's reopening plan.

"All activities will be subject to current government health and safety guidelines, as well as re-confirmation in the days before," Caramoor said in its release.

In a statement, Caramoor CEO Jeff Haydon said the arts center aims to bring inspiration to the community during a difficult time.

“Caramoor’s purpose is to inspire a lifelong love of music in our beautiful setting," Haydon said. "Rather than cancel our summer season entirely, Caramoor’s Summer 20/2.0 provides ways we might still be able to offer opportunities to bring much-needed inspiration to our community.”

Caramoor plans to stream seven professionally produced performances from its Music Room of the Rosen House. Its lineup features music from Mozart and Tchaikovsky, excerpts from childrens' program opera Tom-Tom and the world premieres of new works by Christopher Cerrone and Anna Clyne.

The arts center said it also plans to host four open-air concerts on Friends Field. The concerts will feature music from American Roots, mariachi, jazz and swing genres performed for small, socially-distanced audiences.

Lastly, Caramoor said it intends to roll out a variety of pop-up outdoor events, including performances from groups like the St. Luke's Orchestra brass ensemble.

Caramoor said it will release more details about its summer programming in early July.

Livestreams and broadcasts from the Music Room (July 2 – August 6)

July 2, Inon Barnatan — Israeli pianist Inon Barnatan launches Caramoor’s 20/2.0 season with a recital in the Music Room.

July 9, Listening to Tom-Tom — Shirley Graham Du Bois' 1932 opera will be performed.

July 12, Family Concert: Decoda — Classical collective Decoda returns to Caramoor to offer insights into the composer’s mind.

July 16, Calidore String Quartet — The Calidore String Quartet will perform Breathing Statues by Grammy-nominated English composer Anna Clyne, plus selections from Bach’s Art of the Fugue and two quartets by Beethoven: the Grosse Fuge and No. 13 in B-flat.

July 23, Musicians from the Knights — The Knights will premiere Anna Clyne's Shorthand and Brahms’s Second String Sextet.

July 30, 4th Annual Chamber Feast — A sextet will perform Mozart’s K. 406 String Quintet in C minor, Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence and Shulamit Ran’s Lyre of Orpheus.

August 6, Sandbox Percussion — Sandbox Percussoin joins forces with pianist Conor Hanick to premier a new concerto by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Christopher Cerrone.

Live public concerts on Friends Field (planned for July 18–August 8)

July 18, Chris Thile — In collaboration with City Winery, Caramoor is launching its late-summer series with Chris Thile.

July 25, Rachael & Vilray — Caramoor presents Rachael & Vilray who released their debut album.

Aug 1, Charles Turner & Uptown Swing — Charles Turner & Uptown Swing will play bebop and blues, putting a contemporary spin on the Harlem sound.

Aug 8, Flor de Toloache — Flor de Toloache blends several influences into mariachi music.