Music Fest opens

As Valentine's Day fare, "HeartStrings" weds dulcet tones to the harmonies of romance, getting the fourth season of the College of Charleston chamber music series off to a winging start, Cupid-style.

A special concert of the annual Charleston Music Fest, "HeartStrings" will be performed at 4 p.m. Feb. 14.

It bears the distinction of being the first public concert to be held in the Great Room (234) of the new Marion and Wayland H. Cato Jr. Center for the Arts.

Featuring internationally acclaimed artists Lee-Chin Siow and Natalia Khoma, together with the college's finest string students, the program also boasts award-winning pianist Enrique Graf and Julia Harlow (harpsichord).

The playbill includes Handel's Sonata for Two Cellos and Harpsichord, Mozart's Sonata for Piano Four Hands K.521 in C Major, Vivaldi's Concerto for Four Violins in B minor and Piazzolla's Verano Porteno for Violin, Cello and Piano.

The staging will be graced by a special batik display by Charleston artist Mary Edna Fraser.

Proceeds will help support scholarships for the college's string students.

Festival co-founder Siow, who also serves as director of strings and professor of violin at the college, says that the principal purpose of "HeartStrings" is to encourage aspiring young musicians to "follow their hearts" and invest themselves in their passions.

"This is a very meaningful concert to showcase and support our talented young musicians who are making a positive impact in Charleston and beyond," she says. "Our students come from America and all over the world, from Cuba to China. They have one thing in common: talent, and the desire to make a difference with music.

"Many of them would not have been able to pursue their dreams to study music without a scholarship, and they are truly grateful for their blessings. They are actively giving back to the community, right here in Charleston," she says. "One from Uruguay has started an orchestra for Charleston kids with no musical background and others give back by performing regularly in retirement homes and hospitals."

Tickets are $25, or $90 for a season package of four concerts. Those attending are encouraged to make scholarship contributions at the concert or by contacting the Charleston Music Fest.

Call 953-0935 or e-mail charlestonmusicfest@gmail.com. Tickets also will be sold at the door one hour before curtain, based on availability. Reservations are recommended.

For more information, go online at www.CharlestonMusicFest.com.

Reach Bill Thompson at bthompson@postandcourier.com or 937-5707.