REGION — Under the new artistic direction of two celebrated artists, composer Andrew Waggoner and his wife, cellist Caroline Stinson, the 2014 Weekend of Chamber Music (WCM) season is well underway, beginning with “Carrie’s Teas,” free, private in-home events in April and May, hosted by enthusiastic fans who want to introduce WCM to their friends.

After a two-year hiatus, the early summer Music in the Barn dinner concert evening returns on June 21, at the Bethel country home of a board member and long-time patron. This casual, engaging fundraiser begins with mingling and wine, a concert of solos, duos, trios and quartets in the charming renovated barn, and is followed by dining with the musicians.

Next, the acclaimed WCM Festival from July 13 to 26 offers concerts indoors and out; social soirées; imaginative talks; plenty of intimate contact between audience, musicians and music; a renowned composer-in-residence, and for the first time, a brand new Chamber Music Immersion program for pre-professional musicians. WCM sets sail this summer with Crossings, the 21st festival.

In a new twist for 2014, the initial Crossings concert appears in two places: a trial run performance July 12 kicks things off at the Cooperage in Honesdale, and the festival officially opens on Sunday, July 13 with the ever popular outdoor Concert on the Lawn, at the Presbyterian Church in Jeffersonville. Always relaxed and intimate, the MusicTalks! evenings feature composer–in–residence Shulamit Ran on stage with Andrew Waggoner July 17 at the Catskill Distilling Company, and, in another first at WCM, dancers, Donlin Foreman and Jennifer Emerson, join the musicians July 24 at North Branch Inn. The Main Stage concerts on Saturday nights July 19 and 26 at the Eddie Adams Barn in Jeffersonville have music by Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Ran and Waggoner, and much more. Waggoner presents informative pre-concert talks for each of these programs, creating a level of audience interaction and an air of intimacy rarely experienced at other festivals. In addition, WCM brings the Barn to the Market in Callicoon once again; a free open rehearsal is planned, and there will be a gala reception to wrap things up.

Visit WCM concerts.org for more information, or call 845/887-5803.