Hikers, don your sunscreen and journey to a majestic spot in a magnificent secluded canyon ideal for acoustic music. Among our most popular events, these scenic hikes offer unparalleled musical intimacy and engagement with the artists. At the trailhead, a Canyonlands Field Institute naturalist familiarizes hikers with the terrain and leads them to the scenic concert location.

Mozart and Mendelssohn, two of the greatest prodigies in western musical history, were both drawn to a new innovation in string ensemble writing. They added an extra viola to a string quartet and were able to create masterpieces of rich beauty, capitalizing on the added voice in the middle of the texture. This morning hike presents one of each of their contributions to this genre.

Dedicated to the spirit of Thomas G. Stockham.