In these trying times, we plan to continue entertaining, enriching, and expanding the global community for jazz through online education and our social platforms. Please consider supporting Jazz at Lincoln Center, at whatever level you can.
Caught the classical bug after listening to Wynton Marsalis's Swing Symphony? Then get out and see some music!
Below, we've rounded up some of our favorite American classical music festivals in hopes of inspiring your next summer concert viewing. Don't forget to read on for a more exhaustive list of classical festivals organized by region.
Bowdoin International Music Festival
The Bowdoin International Music Festival is one of the world’s premiere music institutes. Founded in 1964, the Festival engages exceptional students and enthusiastic audiences through world-class education and performances. After a competitive admissions process, 250 students are invited to attend the Festival and study with distinguished faculty and guest artists.
Brevard Music Center Summer Institute & Festival
Amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains stands the Brevard Music Center—one of the country’s premier summer training programs and music festivals. Led by Artistic Director and alumnus Keith Lockhart, the next generation of talented young musicians gathers from June through August to perform great musical works alongside distinguished faculty and many of the most celebrated names in music.
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music represents the here and now of new music for orchestra. Held each summer in the legendary seaside town of Santa Cruz, California, Maestro Cristian Măcelaru welcomes audiences to witness the creative process through concerts, rehearsals and talks as renowned and emerging composers chart a new course for the future of the genre.
For six weeks each summer, join Maestro Peter Oundjian and nearly 100 all-star orchestral musicians from around the world in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, which Expedia named one of America’s “most artistic cities.”
Manchester Summer Music Festival
Since 2009, Manchester Summer Chamber Music has been combining the pleasure of a night out on the beautiful North Shore with dynamic interpretations of chamber music gems and vibrant new music in exciting performances that welcome audiences of all backgrounds and ages.
Manchester Summer Chamber Music: Renowned musicians. Joyful audiences. Connected communities.
Summer Classical Festivals by Region:
Northeast:
Atlantic Music Festival – Waterville, ME
Bard Summerscape – Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Buzzards Bay MusicFest – Marion, MA
Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival – Cape Cod, MA
Caramoor Music Festival – Katonah, NY
Chautaqua Music Festival – Chautaquah, NY
Glimmerglass Music Festival – Cooperstown, NY
Halycon Music Festival – Portsmouth, NH
Kingston Chamber Music Festival – Kingston, RI
Kneisel Music Festival – Blue Hill, ME
Manchester Summer Music Festival – North Shore, MA
Meeting House Chamber Music Festival – Orleans, MA
Mostly Mozart Festival – Manhattan, New York City, NY
Music from Land’s End Wareham – New Bedford, MA
Music Mountain – Falls Village, CT
New Hampshire Music Festival – Plymouth, NH
Newburyport Chamber Music Festival – North Shore, MA
Newport Music Festival – Newport, RI
Rockport Music Festival – Rockport, MA
Salt Bay Chamberfest – Damariscotta, ME
Tanglewood – Lenox, MA
Vermont Mozart Festival – Burlington, VT
Yellow Barn Music Festival – Putney, VT
Southeast:
Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival – Charlottesville, VA
Eastern Music Festival – Greensboro, NC
FestivalSouth – Hattiesburg, MS
Miami Music Festival – Miami, FL
Sarasota Music Festival – Sarasota, FL
Midwest:
Aspen Music Festival – Aspen, CO
Blossom Music Festival – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Bravo! Vail Music Festival – Vail, CO
Colorado Music Festival – Boulder, CO
Des Moines Metro Opera – Indianola, IA
Grand Teton Music Festival – Jackson Hole, WY
Grant Park Music Festival – Chicago, IL
Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival – Southfield, MI
Hot Springs Music Festival – Hot Springs, AK
Interlochen – Interlochen, MI
Minnesota Orchestra Sommerfest – Minneapolis, MN
Missouri Chamber Music Festival – University City, MO
Peninsula Music Festival – Ephraim, WI
Ravinia Music Festival – Highland Park, IL
Strings Music Festival – Steamboat Springs, CO
Northwest:
Bellingham Festival of Music – Bellingham, WA
Big Sky Classical Music Festival – Big Sky, MT
Olympic Chamber Music Festival – Port Townsend, WA
Oregon Bach Festival – Eugene, OR
Tippet Rise Art Center – Fishtail, MT
Southwest:
Carmel Bach Festival – Carmel, CA
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music – Santa Cruz, CA
Mendocino Music Festival – Mendocino, CA
Music @ Menlo – Atherton, CA
Music Academy of the West – Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival – Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM
The entire Jazz at Lincoln Center family is saddened to learn of the recent passing of Joan Larin, our dear friend and very first subscriber.
Listen to the music of the President of Jazz: Lester "Pres" Young.
Jazz at Lincoln Center remembers the life and legacy of Chick Corea, a towering figure whose innovations spanned decades and genres.
Jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, and Essentially Ellington alum Isaiah J. Thompson shares moments in #BlackExcellence that inspire him.
Wynton Marsalis performs Amazing Grace at Federal Hall on September 30, 2020 #DebateDefends
Wynton Marsalis breaks down his top ten cultural moments with a monthly listicle. This month, Wynton shares his top ten heroic cultural moments from Walk Whitman to Marvin Gaye.
Explore the music and legacy of Nina Simone, which speaks to her duality as a gifted artist and civil rights activist invoking the spirit of protest in her works.
Introducing a new Jazz at Lincoln Center series titled "Wynton's Top Ten," a monthly listicle curated by Wynton Marsalis. This month, Wynton shares his “Top Ten” picks for "Compelling Works on the Subject of Freedom" and his annotations behind each selection.
NYC's breadth of unique venues across town include legendary landmark locations, contemporary elegant lounges & no-frills bebop joints that provide a diverse community of swinging experiences.
We celebrate the history of South African jazz with these essential records.
Nobody in the history of jazz expressed himself more freely; or with more variety, swing, and sophistication than Duke Ellington. Listen to our playlist of essential Ellington recordings and find out how he changed jazz forever.
Find out who the three 2018 inductees into the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame are! All three made an indelible impact on America's music and influenced millions in the process.
Here's a list of 10 more must-have classics to round out your collection of jazz records.
Celebrate Thelonious Monk by getting to know the legend through his son’s memories.
Chick Corea is one of the most influential figures in jazz and one of the greatest living jazz pianists. Here are five essential albums from his discography.
Wynton Marsalis appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform with Jon Batiste, Stay Human, and acclaimed dancer Lil Buck. Check out video and behind-the-scenes content from their performance.
New to jazz and don't know where to start? With many artists and extensive catalogues of music, a new jazz listener can feel intimidated. We're here to help! Check out our list of 10 albums to get you started on your jazz journey and introduce yourself to some of jazz's great artists.
On December 7, 2014 the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra drove 8 hours on an off day to play for Clark Terry on his 94th birthday. Victor Goines, James Chirillo, Ted Nash, Vincent Gardner, and Walter Blanding recall the day and the impact that Clark had on jazz.
Listen to the music of the President of Jazz: Lester "Pres" Young.
Jazz at Lincoln Center remembers the life and legacy of Chick Corea, a towering figure whose innovations spanned decades and genres.
Jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, and Essentially Ellington alum Isaiah J. Thompson shares moments in #BlackExcellence that inspire him.
Wynton Marsalis breaks down his top ten cultural moments with a monthly listicle. This month, Wynton shares his top ten heroic cultural moments from Walk Whitman to Marvin Gaye.
Introducing a new Jazz at Lincoln Center series titled "Wynton's Top Ten," a monthly listicle curated by Wynton Marsalis. This month, Wynton shares his “Top Ten” picks for "Compelling Works on the Subject of Freedom" and his annotations behind each selection.
Our education programs have gone online! Find out how you can join for free and learn more about jazz from our experts and members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
NYC's breadth of unique venues across town include legendary landmark locations, contemporary elegant lounges & no-frills bebop joints that provide a diverse community of swinging experiences.
We celebrate the history of South African jazz with these essential records.
We sat down with Gerald Cannon ahead of his Memorial Day Weekend performances at Dizzy's.
Discover how growing up in the Bronx shaped Will Calhoun’s appreciation for art and how Elvin Jones inspired him to define his individuality.
Ornette Coleman led a life as fascinating as his music. Read up on some interesting facts about this jazz legend!
Before his passing in May, Joe Temperley spent 29 unforgettable years as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's baritone saxophonist and its beloved elder statesman. Between performances on their recent mini-tour of Canada, several JLCO members shared their memories of Temperley, who left behind an indelible legacy and a whole lot of stories.
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, so we thought we'd celebrate by delving into the careers of a handful of underappreciated jazz artists. Explore the careers of six musicians who deserve more accolades and learn the best places to start with their discographies.