<p>The North Coast Chorale will give a short performance of numbers by Leonard Bernstein and Duke Ellington at the Friday concert.</p>

Sweet, sorrowful or swinging, Americans love the magic of music, especially music created by our own U.S. composers. Melodies mean memories sometimes a sad goodbye, a wink and a smile, a belly laugh or a new love. In the same vein, the Water Music Festival has entertained us for almost 30 years. Since 1984 it has made music and memories on Washingtons Long Beach Peninsula. This season, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12, three Water Music Festival concerts celebrate American composers music by Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Cole Porter for starters.

Friday night, arrive at Ilwaco, Wash.s Inn at Harbour Village around 6:30 p.m. and enjoy something from the cheese and the no-host wine bar before the show gets underway at 7 p.m. The North Coast Chorale, conducted by Denise Reed, opens the all-American festival and sets the mood with Bernstein and Ellington. The Greta Matassa Quartet follows. Voted Northwest vocalist of the year by Earshot Jazz seven times in 15 years, Matassas latest CD, I Wanna be Loved, remained on national radio jazz charts for three months. Echoing Rosie Clooneys natural warmth and Nancy Wilsons impeccable phrasing, Matassas vocals are backed by piano, bass and drums, according to JazzTimes magazine. She sings tributes to songsters like Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra while making each song unmistakably her own, adds The Seattle Times.

Next up: At noon Saturday in the historic Oysterville Church in Oysterville, Wash., its a return to the scene of the first 1984 Water Music Festival concert. Twenty-eight years later not much has changed in the old church, but the festival has come a long way. Celebrating American composers, barbershop quartets are as American as jazz players and country-western bands. Social InSecurity (yes you read that correctly), a national award-winning barbershop quartet, will delight and amuse with its four-member a capella talents. Don Kileen, the groups leader from California, is joined by bass Marty Anderson, baritone Bob Martindale and tenor Gary Raze. The men cover the map with experience and award-winning honors. Blending harmonies, a couple of them have spent time honing comedy routines over the years; so get ready to laugh. And if theres a chance, be sure and ask Raze about his Les Schwab stab at commercial stardom.

Saturday evening a little farther up the road, if a wine bar and complimentary appetizers dont lure you to Leadbetter Farms Lighthouse to enjoy the sunset over the ocean, the location in itself should. The Water Music Festival wraps up its 2013 season on a high note, quite literally. The private estate of Leadbetter Farms, owned by Craig Tillotson, takes fantasy and whimsy to new levels. Its worth the ticket price just to enjoy the building and grounds, let alone the uplifting music, said Diane Marshall, festival vice president and chairwoman.

The farm, located at the tip of the Long Beach Peninsula at the far north end of I Street in Ocean Park, Wash., leaves no doubt: Guests will know when theyve arrived. Gargoyles nod hello, and the first set of serious entry gates swing open. Pass through them and wind down the roadway through several hundred acres of forest. Next: very large, very tall dragons breath and belch fire (weather permitting), protecting the second set of ornately detailed, seriously strong main entry gates. Proceed. Gawk. Turn left, and enter what can only be described as a true fantasy destination. And remember: This is all before the reason you came the music!

Gates open at 5:45 p.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m., when the evening concert commences. The early admittance gives ticket holders a chance to enjoy the interior and the exterior of the lighthouse and the delectable appetizers and beverages. Background music will be provided by talented Young Artists from the area.

Back by popular demand, at 7 p.m., its the TangleTown Trio. Mezzo-soprano and composer Sarah Mattox, violinist and violist Jo Nardolillo, and pianist Judith Cohen will present an all-American mix of well-known pieces, little-known pieces by famous composers and some new original pieces written by Mattox over the past couple of years. Much of the program is funny, and all of it is exciting. Get ready to enjoy the music of Cole Porter and Gershwin, Broadway show tunes and more. The ensemble has critical accolades and awards from throughout the U.S. and far beyond. Read more about them and their accomplishments at www. tangletowntrio.com.

The Water Music Festival celebrates American composers this year with an all-star lineup. Whatever is to come, whether classical or current, one thing is certain: The beat goes on, and its guaranteed to be a good one.