Mission Statement
To increase the understanding and enjoyment of chamber music in Central Virginia and beyond.About Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival
The Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival believes that extraordinary chamber music has the power to bring people together, enrich our community, and make Charlottesville an even more vibrant place to live. Through its annual Festival, occasional off-season events and year-round community engagement the organization helps make exceptional classical music experiences available to the community.
Supporting the Festival is an opportunity to invest directly in the cultural life of Charlottesville – a way to help preserve a tradition of live chamber music by ensuring that it continues to grow and reach new audiences. It is also a tangible expression of belief in the value of bringing people together through the arts and building community around a shared love of classical music.
Every September, the artistic directors invite some of today’s finest classical musicians to Charlottesville for performances that combine artistic excellence with the intimacy that makes chamber music special. Concerts are held at the historic Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall and at UVA’s Old Cabell Hall with its great acoustics, as well as in smaller venues like art galleries and vineyards. By presenting music in a variety of settings, the Festival makes chamber music a visible and accessible part of local cultural life.
The unique groupings of acclaimed musicians and the variety of programming give the Festival its dynamic character. Musicians who perform as soloists, in different ensembles or orchestras during the rest of the year come together over a two-week period in September to form small musical ensembles. The repertoire ranges from beloved masterpieces by composers like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, to music that’s less frequently performed, or newly commissioned works. Audiences enjoy hearing fresh performances of familiar works and being introduced to music by contemporary composers.
Since its inception in 2000, the Festival has worked to make its concerts accessible through affordable tickets, student pricing and occasional free concerts. School programs are a regular part of each Festival. Philanthropy is essential to making this possible. Ticket revenue alone cannot support the artistic and community engagement ambitions of a Festival of this caliber. Every contribution helps bridge that gap and strengthens the Festival’s ability to bring outstanding musicians and meaningful musical experiences to our region.
Whether you are a longtime supporter of chamber music, a regular attendee of Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival events, a student or young musician, or simply someone curious to hear classical music performed at the very highest level, the Festival invites you to be part of this community. Together, we can ensure that Charlottesville remains a place where great music is heard, shared, and celebrated.