Festival's Grand Finale concert today

SANDPOINT — Two weeks of musical magic will come to a close today as the Festival at Sandpoint hosts its annual Grand Finale today, Aug. 3, featuring the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra conducted by Morihiko Nakahara.

The theme of the 2025 Grand Finale performance is “Sounds of Summer.” Programming will include: selections from “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi, “From the New World” by Dvořák, “Summertime” by Gershwin, and more.

Each of these musical pieces evokes the warmth, energy, and emotions of summer in a unique way, Festival officials said.

Selections from “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi are lively violin concertos that vividly depict the changing seasons. Spring bursts with renewal and birdsong, while Summer brings both idyllic warmth and the intensity of a summer storm. "From the New World" by Dvořák is a symphony that captures the spirit of vast landscapes and summer in America. "Summertime" by Gershwin embodies the languid, dreamy essence of summer with its smooth, bluesy melody.

Together, these pieces and more celebrate the many sounds of summer — its beauty, excitement, and relaxation.

The evening will also include performances by the Festival at Sandpoint’s 2025 scholarship winners and a fireworks display to end the night.

The Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra features over 50 talented instrumentalists from across the Inland Northwest, many of whom have been featured as part of the Spokane Symphony.

Sandpoint local Jason Moody will serve as concertmaster for the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra. Since his solo debut with the Spokane Symphony at age 16, Jason Moody has performed across the United States, Europe, and Japan. Moody has received fellowships for the Aldeburgh Festival, the Spoleto USA Festival, the Masters Music Festival, and the Lancaster Festival. Moody is an adjunct faculty at Whitworth University and Edmonds Community College, teaching violin, viola, and chamber music.

Conducting this performance is Morihiko Nakahara, who spent 16 years as resident conductor of the Spokane Symphony. He is also the music director of the South Carolina Philharmonic and the director of orchestra studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is well-known for his charismatic presence on and off the podium, his innovative and audience-friendly programming skills, and his thoughtful interpretations of both standard and contemporary repertoire. 

Prior to the show, festival-goers 21 and older can opt to attend the Cheers tasting event, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. At this two-hour tasting event, guests can sample pours from across the region in their souvenir tasting cup.

This is a seated show, meaning that the area in front of the stage will be general admission short chair and blanket seating only.

Tickets to the concert are $58.02 for adults, $16.38 for youth. Tickets to the Cheers tasting event are an additional $14.95 and guests must be 21 years and older to enter. 

The box office opens at 3 p.m. and gates open at 5 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Information: festivalatsandpoint.com