When it comes to getting the Red Fist Chamber Music Festival off the ground, Fritz Gearhart is doing it all. He says in addition to organizing the festival he’s also performing and coaching the students participating in the concerts.

“I am the president of the board of directors, of the Red Fish Chamber Music Festival, but I’m also wearing several hats.”

Gearhart says his goal is to make the festival something permanent for the area with plans to expand it to a bi-annual event.

While to some, Curry County may not seem like the idea place to kickstart a non-profit classical music festival, Fritz says that’s precisely why he chose the small coastal community.

“It’s probably the most beautiful place on the planet.”

But it’s not just the natural beauty that inspired Fritz to choose Curry County.

He mentions that in larger cities chamber music concerts such as those presented in the Redfish Music Festival, aren’t always a standout with so many options for entertainment. But in smaller towns, he says there’s a greater appreciation fore these performances.

Gearhart says it’s very gratifying as a performer, and with a smaller audience there’s an opportunity to feel something truly tangible.

He says he’s made wonderful friends in the area. Among those is Phyllis Johns, a volunteer with the festival, who says the locals have been looking forward to this year’s concerts since the festival debuted last year.

Unfortunately the festival's closing weekend was canceled due to Covid concerns, but videos of this year's performances can be found on their website (https://redfishmusicfestival.com/).