Maestro David Michael Wolff and the members of the Carolina Philharmonic will return to New York's Carnegie Hall on Thursday, March 3, 7 p.m., performing Barber's "Adagio for Strings," a Mozart piano concerto, and the American composer Ewazen's "Down a River of Time" for oboe soloist and string orchestra.

Wolff has performed more than a dozen times at the legendary venue. >In fact, two years ago, shortly after founding the Carolina Philharmonic and while still living in Manhattan, Wolff invited the Philharmonic to make its New York debut there. > >

"My wife, Young Mee Jun, and I enjoyed Manhattan life, but after a short visit to Pinehurst, we quickly decided to move to Moore County and raise our daughter in this oasis," says Wolff. "Just a few days after we return from Carnegie, we're very excited to be closing on a home in Pinehurst." > >

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," says Lotti Rhodes, one of a couple of dozen local fans making the trek up north with the orchestra. >

For those who are content to let Carnegie Hall come to them, the Philharmonic plans a music festival featuring three diverse programs over as many days. >

Wolff has formed a youth orchestra and a youth chorus and is rehearsing with them at length every Saturday, as they prepare to perform the finale of Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" side by side with members of the Carolina Philharmonic at Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School on Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m.

Tickets for Carnegie Hall can be purchased through the Carnegie box office, and tickets for the other concerts($20 for adults, $5 for students) can be purchased through the Philharmonic's box office at (910) 687-4746. >