Performing in such disparate venues as caves, mountaintops and indoor theaters, a group of classical musicians and composers that has been touring across the country in celebration of the National Park Service centennial are coming to Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks this week.

“Music in the American Wild” – comprising performers and composers affiliated with the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York – presents free concerts at locations at Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks, Aug. 12-17.

Each original composition is inspired by the beauty and uniquely American experience of national parks. The group tailors each acoustic concert to its venue, so that listeners can hear and enjoy the music’s interactions with the environment.

"We hope to enhance visitors' experiences in the parks by sharing our music in concerts and field recordings,” said Emlyn Johnson, director of the Music in the American Wild program.

Johnson, a flutist, is joined by six other musicians performing on clarinet, horn, violin, viola, cello and percussion.

“We are truly honored to host these talented young musicians and warmly invite our neighbors and visitors to come enjoy the concerts,” said Rachel Spector, acting superintendent of Olympic National Park.

Music in the American Wild is supported by a $20,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Art Works/Imagine Your Parks grant and by private donors.

More information at

musicintheamericanwild.com.