La Scala, Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center…. the Old School in Waterford? The first three are world famous classical music venues but the Waterford Concert Series in the historic Loudoun Village of Waterford (Pop: 182) is the best kept classical music secret in America.

Over three Sundays in fall and again in spring for the past 30 years, the bucolic village has brought in internationally acclaimed Grammy winners and global soloists to perform in the historic Waterford Old School auditorium. “We work with agents around the world and start two years in advance with a list of performers we’d like to see,” said concert series president and local resident Susan Sutter.

The series started in 1994 when a family chamber orchestra with a grant but no venue inquired about performing on the Waterford Old School stage. The concert was such a success that a committee was created to put together an annual classical music program. The first event featured a world-renowned clarinetist, the Metropolitan Opera National Audition Regional Finalists and a vocal octet. It has only gotten better since. Famous past performers include opera singers Lawrence Brownlee, Luca Pisaroni and Michael Fabiano; pianists Angela Hewitt, Paul Lewis and George Li as well as the Academy of St. Martin in the Field Wind Ensemble from the UK and the Pavel Haas Quartet from the Czech Republic.

One of the charms of the series is the Sunday 4 p.m. start and the shoestring budget. “We give away free water and chocolates but no hard drinks,” said Sutter. “We put all our money towards the performers and getting them here. It’s all about the music."

Who is on the roster this fall and spring?

Sunday, October 18, sees renowned Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero in town, and on November 8, French American mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche performs. Come spring, international trio Trio Zimbalist perform on April 4 and on April 25 Arod Quatuor (the Arod Quartet) from France, veterans of concert halls all over the world arrive.

Find more information about the series or for tickets to a performance, here.