Come Witness the first performance of Tales from the Grove;

An original composition for piano and bassoon, by Amber Ferenz Spuller.

Included is a tour of The Mountain's Ancient Oak Grove. Gain a deeper appreciation for what lead to this majestic forest with an insightful and complementary geological overview of the Area by Bill Jacobs.

After enjoy an optional dinner at The Mountain featuring food from The Many Hands Peace Farm.

Being enchanted with the Mountain’s dwarf old-growth white oak forest, Terry Ashley combined her love of music and love of these oak trees to commission this composition debuting at The Mountain. 

The Tales from the Grove composition has five parts: Roots and Rain; Leaves and Branches; The Trees and Owls Stargazing; Scherzo- Mycelium Music; and Tree Spirits and Wind: A Love Story. This performance will take place in The Mountain's Treehouse; a second-floor conference room with large windows overlooking the ancient oaks.

Amber Ferenz Spuller is a bassoonist, composer, and a member of the Asheville Symphony and the Greensboro Symphony. As a shaman and a healer, Amber, as well as Terry, believe that the ancient oak grove is a spiritual place.

In addition to the concert in honor of these ancient trees, the program will include a presentation by geologist, Bill Jacobs; author of Whence These Special Places -The Geology of Cashiers, Highlands & Panthertown. He will enlighten us about the geology of these mountains, among the oldest in the world. There will be a tour of the ancient white oak grove and dinner as we continue getting acquainted and enjoying the trees.

Due to our preservation of these ancient oaks, In May 2021, The Mountain was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network. This is the only national network in the U.S. of protected, old-growth, native forests where people of all generations can experience biodiversity and the beauty of nature.

The trees here have their roots spread across granite cliffs and show the effects of the harsh environment through their small, gnarled forms. Their stunted forms are resilient toward the intense winds that shear across the mountain bald. These trees have been dated to 400 and 500 years old by Clemson University dendrologists. This old-growth forest is approximately 10 acres and is protected as part of our environmental stewardship initiative. The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, with four eco-systems, is an environmentally focused retreat center at the top of Little Scaly Mountain.

Consider extending your stay at The Mountain for a few days before or after this event. Hike the Nantahala forest trails, explore local waterfalls, and enjoy this natural environment with the view of Blue Valley and the dark sky with incredible stars.

Terry has taken several photographs of the dwarf oaks and created beautiful cards, which are for sale in The Mountain gift shop or online.