The Carolina Philharmonic is now back in Pinehurst, having played to a spellbound crowd at Carnegie Hall.

A rousing standing ovation followed the performance of "Down a River of Time" by internationally acclaimed American -composer Eric Ewazen, whose unexpected attendance brought extra glamour to the concert. A dozen local patrons made the trek up to New York City to experience the local Philharmonic at Carnegie.

The Palustris Festival, March 24-27, offers the opportunity to enjoy the sounds of Carnegie right here as the Carolina Philharmonic presents three different -components of the orchestra.

The first event is the Joshua Wolff Jazz Trio, direct from Broadway, with guest vocalist Laura Didier. This event will be held Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m., at the Founders Hall at Sacred Heart Church in Pinehurst.

At 7 p.m. on Friday, March 25, Maestro David Michael Wolff will lead the musicians from the Carolina Philharmonic, side by side with many of Moore County's most -promising young instrumentalists and singers in a concert, culminating in the finale of Beethoven's greatest masterpiece, "Ode to Joy," from the Ninth Symphony. The concert will be held in the Robert E. Lee auditorium at Pinecrest High School.

The Carolina Philharmonic's final Palustris event will be "For the Opera Lover," Saturday, March 26, at 3 p.m. at Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College.

If you love the Met, you won't want to miss this one. The concert will feature arias, duets, trios and choruses from the land of opera with a few bon-bons thrown in for good measure. Maestro Wolff will lead guest soloists and the Carolina Philharmonic -chorus with works from Verdi, Puccini, Mozart , Bizet and Wagner.

Tickets for all three events may be -purchased at Given Book Shop in Olmsted Village, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines or at Heavenly Pines Gifts, across from the main Pinehurst post office off N.C. 5. You may also call the box office at (910) 687-4746 or (910) 687-0287. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students.

In April, the Carolina Philharmonic -continues its regular season with its Holy Week Concerts on April 13 and 15. Visit its website at www.carolinaphil.org for -information on season tickets and the remaining 2011 schedule. You can also download an order form from this site.

Consider becoming a friend of the Philharmonic by making a donation so it can continue to bring you the quality of music that is synonymous with the Carolina Philharmonic. Ticket sales account for only 15 percent of the cost of bringing these -concerts to you.