~• Our History •~
Est. 1996, in a lush, green meadow near Mazama.
Our Festival brings world-class classical artists to the Methow Valley. Sharing the love of classical music with area residents and visitors, our Festival supports the local economy, collaborates with other community organizations, educates our audience, and enhances the appreciation of our cultural heritage.
Early history
In 1996, violinist John Konigsmark begins producing high-quality classical chamber music concerts amidst the splendid scenic backdrop of the Methow Valley. His outdoor concerts linked art and the natural environment in a wonderful way that, on one occasion, included the unique sound of tree frogs accompanying a Mozart sonata. View 2013-1997 Festival Posters
~• 2003 •~
Lisa Bergman
Pianist Lisa Bergman takes the reins as Artistic Director. The programs under her direction bring unforgettable performances by world-renowned artists including Jon Kimura Parker (piano) and Frederica von Stade (mezzo-soprano). Lisa now hosts the series Explore Music on KING-FM in Seattle and works with the Icicle Creek Center for Arts in Leavenworth.
~• 2008 •~
Kevin Krentz
Cellist Kevin Krentz becomes our artistic director in 2008. Kevin brings a high degree of professionalism to his job, coupled with a deep understanding of the classical music audience. He structures every program to include something familiar, something new and something completely flamboyant all together in a pattern that is constantly engaging, constantly stimulating.
~• 2009 •~
A New Home - Signal Hill Ranch
The festival moves its main-stage performances to a new, purpose-built facility at Signal Hill Ranch, a dramatic setting one mile above the Methow Valley floor, halfway between Winthrop and Twisp. The new facility includes a professionally-designed, semi-outdoor acoustic listening environment surrounded by breathtaking views.
~• 2010 •~
Summer Camp
The festival introduces a Chamber Music Camp, with masterclasses, private lessons, ensemble coaching sessions, and many performance opportunities, all led by seasoned, professional Festival artists. The Chamber Music Camp is designed for accomplished, professional-track young string players.
~• 2011 •~
Bachianas
The festival features an international artist from Brazil along with the spectacular music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, the Bachianas Brasileiras No 1 and No 5 for eight cellos and one soprano, Gale Odom.
~• 2012 •~
After-Parties
Delicious food and beverages are now available at the newly-completed Ice House. After each show, the audience gathers there around the outdoor propane fire pit to congratulate the artists and complete an evening of entertainment and socializing.
~• 2013 •~
Minimax
Completely off-the-wall, laugh-out-loud excerpts from the 'Minimax' Repertoire for Military Orchestra by Hindemith delighted the audience, plus a number of more traditional works by Mozart, Brahms, and Ravel. The biggest surprise of the season was the emotionally satisfying and harmonically complex String Quartet no. 5 by Phillip Glass. This piece breaks completely away from the repetitive and minimalist creations written in his youth some twenty years earlier. It left the audience with a new appreciation for modern classical music—exactly what we are all about.
~• 2014 •~
Fire Strikes!
The massive Carlton Complex wildfire in Okanogan county, the largest fire in state history, completely disrupts our 2014 Summer season, leaving our area with no power, no communications, and restricted transportation for several weeks. Not to worry, the Festival barn was untouched; we'll be back stronger than ever for 2015.
~• 2015 •~
Valentine’s Day Concert
In this romantic evening of music, one of Canada's finest violinists, Jasper Wood, leads passionate piano quartets by Brahms and the romantic Spaniard, Joaquin Turina. In addition, Verne Windham provided some gifts as well as some impromptu haiku/limerick writing and reading, plus a hilarious new work written for this concert by our own wordsmith, Weston Gaylord.
Summer Season Smash Success!
This highly successful year has focused on what makes the Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival great. Consistently amazing artists playing varied programs that appeal to the heart as well as the head, presented in a friendly atmosphere of relaxed camaraderie, marks our unique festival. Audiences responds and reward us with the best turnout in our history.
~• 2016 •~
Romantic Moods Valentine Concert
Stunningly evocative performances at this year's Valentine Concert by Marimba player Mark Goodenberger, accompanied by Grace Park, Ervin Luka Sesek, Amber Archibald and Kevin Krentz kick off the 2016 season with a bang, and it keeps getting better.
2016 Winter Scrapbook
Summer Season Sells Out
The summer season features the return to our stage of Jing Wang, now concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, violinist Grace Park, and the dynamic duo of Elena Urioste and Tom Poster, who hails from London. The crowds are huge, selling out every concert of the 2016 season.
~• 2017 •~
Romantic Strings Valentine Concert
The 2017 season started with a bang, selling out the February 18 Valentine Concert for the third year in a row! The concert featured three angels playing romantic string music: Amber Archibald, Ingrid Matthews, and Haeyoon Shin.
Innovation & Diversity
This summer’s Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival was marked by the innovation and diversity that have become hallmarks of the 22-year-old festival. 2017 Summer Scrapbook
~• 2018 •~
Romantic Strings Valentine Concert
The 4th annual Valentine concert held at the Merc features a trio of Misha Shmidt, violin; Kevin Krentz, cello; and Alexei Eremine, piano. Alexei and Misha grew up together and Alexei traveled all the way from Lisbon, Portugal to celebrate 40 years of friendship. Despite a snowstorm, the group plays to a packed house and enjoys a post-concert dinner at Arrowleaf with 30 supporters.
Smoke Again, New Dates
Spring brings a flurry of activity at Signal Hill Ranch. The venue now proudly displays a new, permanent, custom-built stage to replace the temporary, collapsible sections that had been used for years. The summer brings challenges with record-high temperatures and yet another round of fires pumping smoke into the Valley. Though the concerts sell out, we start seeing no-shows during the final week. By the end of the summer, we decide to move Festival dates to June going forward.
~• 2019 •~
Thank You Liz & Howie
Jenny Beste comes on as Executive Assistant. All concerts sell out. We will always be grateful for the years at Signal Hill Ranch. Liz and Howie Johnson gave so much to the community.
~• 2020 •~
Valentine Concert
The Winter concert is again held at the Merc in Twisp, with a post-concert dinner at the Arrowleaf Bistro for “Golden Ticket” holders.
~• 2020 - 2021 •~
Pandemic Strikes!
The Summer Festival is canceled due to Covid. Minimal staff is kept on. No fundraising is done. Grants are not accepted.
~• 2022 •~
Change of Venue - Twisp Terrace Lodge
Liz and Howie Johnson sell Signal Hill Ranch and moved to Texas in the winter of 2022. Liz has been Executive Director for 12 years. Fortunately, the festival is in great financial shape due to Liz’s astute management of the budget and we will be able to afford to come back in summer of 2022.
We move the office and venue very quickly in November, as the Signal Hill Barn is the first piece of property to be sold. Festival administration moves to an office above the Confluence Gallery and Rebecca Lundquist becomes the new Executive Director. After an exhaustive search for a new venue, Twisp Terrace Lodge is chosen as the new location. The Board determines we will have a 2022 Summer Festival following COVID guidelines as necessary. The festival rents the Cascade Room, which boasts a beautiful view of the Cascade Range, and a stage is built by Kyrie Jardin, Eric Blank and Peter Hunsdorfer.
To allay fears of COVID being spread in a large crowd of people, both an outside concert (Alla Natura) and inside concert are offered. A tent with a projection screen is set up and headphones are provided so people can sit outside to watch and listen to the concerts. Beth and Eric Blank, owners of the Lodge, provide meals and drinks and people picnic under the tent before the concert.
Musicians are booked into the Methow Valley Inn so they can stay in one place and walk to the Community Center, stores and restaurants in Twisp. They love the location and the townspeople love seeing them with their instruments out on the sidewalks! Open rehearsals at the Center are well attended. The festival is suddenly very accessible to many more people. We welcome the public to free open rehearsals at Sun Mountain Lodge and the Mazama Public House. And as in all years that we put on the festival, free tickets are provided to Room One, the Cove and anyone 17 and under who comes with an adult. The Pipestone School of Music SummerCamp is also supported.
The festival performs six centerstage concerts and is a success overall. We are so thankful for all our wonderful donors, our sponsors and the grants we receive.
At the end of 2022, Beth and Eric Blank sell the lodge to a hotel and ranch investor out of Salt Lake City, who renames it Casia Lodge. The board decides we need to look for a another venue.
~• 2023 •~
Another New home -
Methow Valley Community Center
Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp is selected as the new venue. It provides enough space for our festival attendees and has wonderful acoustics. Kathy Podmayer becomes the Executive Director. The festival office relocates to Winthrop on Riverside Avenue. The move to the Methow Valley Community Center is so appreciated by the Center and they bend over backwards to accommodate us. We work at our venue design to create a look with trees, lights, wing walls, and an inside marquis tent that is absolutely amazing.
