With summer officially over, InConcert Sierra, formerly TCCA, launched its “inaugural” season recently with its new name, logo and website, and the promise of musical adventure.

Unchanged is the quality of the season's programming: Third Sundays, House Concerts, Special Performances and the Sierra Master Chorale.

InConcert Sierra continues tradition: Performers who created a special bond with the audience; young artists on the brink of major careers; novelties – ensembles and instruments not often heard in recital.

“We are now on the radar,” says Artistic Director Ken Hardin. “We are becoming an attractive venue, with astute audiences averaging 300, much larger than big city audiences for similar events, a warm welcome and the beautiful performance space in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.”

As always the Third Sunday Series highlights outstanding pianists. Look for dazzling technique and emotional insight from season-opener prize-winning 22-year-old Polish-American Adam Golka.

Expect fireworks from Chinese-born pianist Di Wu, who wins accolades for her Brahms and Ravel – among the most difficult pieces in the repertoire.

Back again is Joel Fan, whose engaging personality, technical assurance and musicality wowed the audience in his 2009 “World Music” program.

A novelty is the exciting sound of Spanish Brass, two trumpets, horn, tuba and trombone, whose creativity goes beyond music: Think choreographed fugue if you can.

Also new: An organ recital, by leading young organist Isabelle Demers, the “diminutive dynamo” who accompanied Sierra Master Chorale's Faure Requiem in May and gave a solo foretaste of her wizardry.

Local favorite Petite Panache features pianists Ken Hardin and Aileen James, violinist Richard Altenbach and cellist Wolf Sebastian.

And sure to be a draw following their stunning 2008 recital and 2009 House Concert: Cellist Amit Peled and pianist Eli Kalman previewing the program for their Washington D.C. Kennedy Center debut.

Third Sunday concerts are at 2 p.m. with a pre-concert, meet-the-artist forum at 1:15 p.m. Tickets are a bargain: $21 each, or $126 for the season – seven for the price of six.

To fill in gaps (who can wait a whole month?) are intimate House Concerts, held in private homes for small audiences up close and personal. This year offers violinist Michelle You and pianist Ken Hardin. You, concert master of former Orchestre Panache, has been described as “fiery,” “sparkling” and “enticing.”

Next is violinist Nora Chastain. Born in Berkeley and with family in Grass Valley, Nora has lived most of her life in Germany and is much sought after as a chamber musician in Europe.

And finally the Enso Quartet returns after their remarkable 2009 concert. The Grammy-nominated string quartet has quickly become one of America's most accomplished young ensembles.

“We are beginning to attract the next echelon of musicians and world class performers,” says Hardin.

This year's Big Name: Pianist Nikolai Lugansky, one of the most prestigious Russian pianists, performing Chopin and Rachmaninoff, his only Northern California recital after performing with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic in San Francisco.

And if you fancy choral music, don't forget the Holiday and Spring concerts of the talented Sierra Master Chorale.

Charles Atthill lives in Alta Sierra. So much music, so little time.