EcoTones: Emmenegger Nature Park

Start: Sunday, September 25, 2022 10:30AM
End: Sunday, September 25, 2022 5:00PM

Bring the whole family as EcoTones Concerts and the Missouri Department of Conservation transform Emmenegger Nature Park’s fields and trailside spaces into enchanting and unusual concert venues! 19 world-class professional musicians from the St. Louis Region perform in small ensembles and bands all day from 10:30-5:00 on various “natural stages.” The music is inspired by the unique features of Emmenegger Nature Park, adjacent to the Meramec river, including its wildlife, birds, trees, resident Chimney Swifts, and its past social history (the land through the years has been used as Lemp family hunting grounds, as exotic animal housing by the St. Louis Zoo, a swimming pool complex, and finally today a hikeable nature park). Performing musicians include members of the SLSO and some of St. Louis’ top jazz, blues, and folk artists. Each morning a family event (for children 10 & under + caregivers) runs from 10:30-12:00 with musical stories, a short hike, and bug catching nets with MDC Naturalists! The All-Ages event runs on Sat. & Sun. from 12:00-5:00, with different small ensembles and bands performing sets on natural stages throughout the day. Special appearances include a trio playing 11-foot Alphorns; the world premieres of several new pieces inspired by Emmenegger’s natural features, commissioned especially for these events; and a jazz quintet set featuring music from the Chimney Swift’s migratory route (St. Louis region, Mississippi River, east coast of Mexico, and the birds’ South American wintering grounds of Colombia, Peru, Western Brazil, and Ecuador). Emmenegger is a rustic facility so BYO-Everything! Audience members should bring their own easy to carry camp chairs, picnic blankets, water, food, and appropriate walking/hiking footwear. The trail is paved and stroller and wheelchair-friendly. This is a FREE public event with no registration or advanced tickets required. Please visit the trailhead check-in table for a map & schedule of performances. Visit www.ecotonesconcerts.org for more information. EcoTones: Emmenegger Nature Park 11991 Stoneywood Dr. Kirkwood, MO. 63122 Sat. & Sun. Sept. 24 & 25 10:30-12:00 EcoTones Family Event (for children 10 & under + caregiver) 12:00-5:00 EcoTones Concerts All-Ages Event No Registration Required. The St. Louis EcoTones Ensemble features saxophonist/composer Chris Cheek; flutist Ann Choomack; percussionist Henry Claude; bassoonist Andrew Cuneo; bassist Bob Deboo; alphornist Natalie Douglas; trombonist/composer Alan Ferber; percussionist Matt Henry; saxophonist Kwanae Johnson; alphornists Thomas Jöstlein & Tricia Jöstlein; violinist/composer Aska Maret Kaneko; guitarist/singer Walter Parks; cellist Bjorn Ranheim; cellist Jody Redhage Ferber; clarinetist/ saxophonist Kendrick Smith; violinist Angie Shyr; guitarist Vince Varvel; and violinist Shawn Weil. EcoTones founder & director Jody Redhage Ferber has performed on five continents in venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Disney Hall (L.A.), Chicago Symphony Hall, the Barbican (London), Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits; at the Montreal, Montreux, Cape Town South Africa & North Sea Jazz Festivals, Tokyo's Blue Note Jazz Club, the Village Vanguard, on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Series and with pop icons Neil Diamond, Sufjan Stevens, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Meatloaf, the Roots, Clay Aiken, Enya, Duncan Sheik, Chromeo, and Sara Bareilles. She works as a recording session cellist for an array of artists and has recorded for Sesame Street. You can read more about her work as a cellist, composer, and presenter at www.jodyredhageferber.com. We are very grateful for the help of the staff and volunteers of Emmenegger Nature Park and Missouri Department of Conservation to make these events possible, as well as our business sponsor The Alpine Shop of Kirkwood, and a grant given from the Regional Arts commission of St. Louis. Also, many thanks to our volunteers!