The Arcady Music Society recently was awarded a $20,000 grant from the New York-based Trust for Mutual Understanding. The grant will underwrite travel expenses to bring the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin to Maine as part of the 2002 Arcady Music Festival.

According to the trust’s director, Richard Lanier, the award was made “in recognition of the importance of Arcady Music Society’s mission to bring classical contemporary music to culturally underserved areas of Maine.” Susan Potters, Arcady’s board president and author of the grant proposal, spoke about the importance of this award at a recent board meeting.

“This is the first major grant Arcady has received from an out-of-state foundation,” she said. “It underscores the growing importance of Arcady’s programs not only for Maine but beyond its borders as well.”

Arcady audiences remember well the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin’s initial visit to Maine in November 2000, when the ensemble performed concerts and school programs in Bar Harbor, Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft and Waldoboro. During their stay, the Russians were treated to their first Thanksgiving dinner with Arcady supporters and community members at the Dover-Foxcroft Grange. Those four concerts were so well-received that Masanobu Ikemiya, Arcady’s artistic director and founder, decided to invite them back for the Arcady Festival. “Not only are we carrying out our mission to bring quality classical music of the highest caliber to Maine,” said Ikemiya, “but we are also creating the conditions for intercultural exchange, so important for society today.”

The 18-member Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, founded by director and conductor Misha Rachlevsky, is based in Moscow and includes some of Russia’s finest young string players.

Arcady Executive Director Patricia Ciraulo and Rachlevsky often met in Moscow while Ciraulo was working for the Russian National Orchestra.

“Misha is a very sociable and popular member of Moscow music society,” Ciraulo said. “I have enjoyed performances of the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin at the Armory Museum of the Kremlin and the U.S. Embassy on more than one occasion. It will be a great treat to again hear these talented musicians and enjoy Misha’s sparkling personality.”

Chamber Orchestra Kremlin will perform in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft, Bar Harbor Aug. 25-29 and at two other locations to be announced. For tickets and other information, call the Arcady Music office at 288-2141 or visit the Arcady Web site at www.arcady.org.