OPENING NIGHT: CONTRASTS IN CLASSICAL
2025-06-28 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Denver) | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $35.
Opening night is a bold reimagining of classical music’s most beloved works —performed by a dynamic nine-player ensemble. Handpicked from the renowned Cleveland Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, this nonet will unveil fresh textures and vibrant new dimensions in orchestral favorites.
At the heart of the program, horn virtuoso Nathaniel Silberschlag takes center stage in Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3, offering a rare opportunity to witness one of today’s finest brass musicians in a stunning solo performance.
From the Barber of Seville to Haydn’s radiant Le Matin Symphony and Mozart’s exhilarating Haffner Symphony, this evening is a dazzling celebration of classical music’s grandeur—an unmissable start to the season.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

AN AMERICAN STORY FEATURING CHEE-YUN
2025-07-02 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $35.
Gather for an evening of music that captures the heart and soul of American artistry, featuring the mesmerizing Chee-Yun, one of today’s most radiant violinists. This inspiring program spans generations of American composers, weaving together the energy, emotion, and diverse influences that define the nation’s musical landscape.
The program begins with the effervescent Overture to “Candide” by Leonard Bernstein, performed on piano. John Corigliano’s “The Red Violin: Caprices” follows, a hauntingly beautiful work that showcases Chee-Yun’s exquisite expressiveness and virtuosity. The theme of storytelling continues with John Williams’ “With Malice Towards None” from the film Lincoln, a noble and moving piece that evokes the depth of the American spirit.
The evening also highlights the unmistakable genius of George Gershwin, whose jazz-infused melodies have become synonymous with American music. An American in Paris, performed as a piano solo, brings the bustling energy and charm of Gershwin’s classic to life, while the soulful “Second Prelude”, arranged for trumpet and piano, offers a fresh take on a beloved gem.
The concert reaches its pinnacle with Corigliano’s “The Red Violin: Chaconne”, a 17-minute tour de force for violin and piano, in which Chee-Yun’s artistry takes center stage, delivering a breathtakingly powerful performance filled with passion and intensity.
With pianist Dominic Cheli and trumpeter Michael Sachs joining this exceptional lineup, An American Story is a deeply moving and exhilarating tribute to American music. Whether you’re a lifelong classical music fan or discovering these masterpieces for the first time, this concert promises a night of brilliance, emotion, and the timeless beauty of American composition.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

AN AMERICAN TAPESTRY IN BRASS
2025-07-05 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $41.
Brass takes center stage in this thrilling concert showcasing the brilliance and power of brass music. The evening will include energetic fanfares, stirring hymns, and vivid melodies that span a variety of styles—from lively, frontier-inspired pieces to reflective, lyrical compositions. With performances highlighting both bold virtuosity and emotional depth, this evening celebrates the dynamic versatility and resonant beauty of brass ensemble music.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

PALAVER STRINGS WITH NICHOLAS PHAN: 'A CHANGE IS GONNA COME'
2025-07-12 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $35.
Grammy-nominated Palaver Strings has made its mark as one of New England’s most innovative chamber ensembles. Guided by a passion for engaging new audiences, addressing social justice issues, and amplifying underrepresented voices, Palaver is celebrated for their collaborative artistic programming and dynamic performances, as well their deep commitment to accessible education through the Palaver Music Center. Palaver Strings and acclaimed tenor Nicholas Phan perform a soulful tribute to the legendary Sam Cooke, showcasing classics from the iconic singer-songwriter’s timeless catalog.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

ANDERSON & ROE
2025-07-16 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $41.
Known for their adrenalized performances, original compositions, and notorious music videos, Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe are revolutionizing the piano duo experience for the 21st century. Described as “the most dynamic duo of this generation” (San Francisco Classical Voice), “rock stars of the classical music world” (Miami Herald), and “the very model of complete 21st-century musicians” (The Washington Post), the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo aims to make classical music a relevant and powerful force around the world. Their five critically acclaimed albums have spent dozens of weeks at the top of the Billboard Classical Charts, while their Emmy-nominated, self-produced music videos have been viewed by millions on YouTube and at international film festivals.
2025 marks the 23rd anniversary of Anderson & Roe’s debut. Since forming their dynamic musical partnership as students at The Juilliard School, Anderson & Roe have toured extensively worldwide as recitalists and orchestral soloists; appeared on NPR, MTV, PBS, and the BBC; presented at numerous international leader symposiums; and served as hosts of NPR’s “From the Top” and the Cliburn International Piano Competition. A live performance by Anderson & Roe was handpicked to appear on the Sounds of Juilliard CD celebrating the school’s centenary.
Anderson & Roe believe strongly in the communicative potential of music, and their performances, compositions, websites, videos, recordings, and writings all serve this mission, bringing joy to people around the world. As stated by the Northwest Reverb, “[Anderson & Roe] swept the audience into a cheering mass of humanity, making a strong case that playing piano is the most fun thing that two people could ever do together.”
This summer, Strings turns Wednesday nights into the ultimate evening out—think world-class music, fresh mountain air, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe. Starting at 6pm, enjoy drinks from the outdoor bar and pre-order a charcuterie picnic box from MEATBAR for the perfect picnic under the patio tent. Orders must be placed via https://meatbar.com/strings before 12pm on Wednesdays.

*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

MANHATTAN CHAMBER PLAYERS
2025-07-19 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Music for the Community: Pay-What-You-Can.
Music for the Community: Pay what you can! Strings welcomes music lovers to enjoy a performance without the worries of cost or seating. Attendees are invited to pay what they can and choose seats anywhere in the Pavilion.
The Manhattan Chamber Players are a chamber music collective of New York-based musicians who share the common aim of performing the greatest works in the chamber repertoire at the highest level.  Formed in 2015 by Artistic Director and violist Luke Fleming, MCP is comprised of an impressive roster of musicians who all come from the tradition of great music making at the Marlboro Music Festival, Steans Institute at Ravinia, Music@Menlo, Yellow Barn Chamber Music Festival and Perlman Music Program, and are former students of the Curtis Institute, Juilliard School, Colburn School, and the New England Conservatory.
At the core of MCP’s inspiration is its members’ joy in playing this richly varied repertoire with longtime friends and colleagues, with whom they have been performing since they were students.  Its roster allows for the programming of the entire core string, wind, and piano chamber music repertoire—from piano duos to clarinet quintets to string octets.  While all its members have independent careers as soloists and chamber musicians, they strive for every opportunity to come together and again share in this special collaboration.
The Manhattan Chamber Players have been featured multiple times on NPR’s Performance Today, and is the Ensemble-in-Residence at both the Festival de Febrero in Mexico and the Crescent City Chamber Music Festival in New Orleans. In addition to its numerous concerts across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, MCP regularly tours in Asia and the Middle East, and has led chamber music residency programs at institutions throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Join us at 6pm for a craft workshop before the show lead by Steamboat Craft Studio. Create your own custom bookmark, featuring the instruments of a piano quintet! Inspired by the piano, violin, viola, and cello you’ll hear tonight, this pre-show craft will get your imagination in tune for an evening of beautiful chamber music.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

WEISS KAPLAN CARR TRIO
2025-07-23 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $41.
The Weiss-Kaplan-Carr Trio, featuring pianist Yael Weiss, violinist Mark Kaplan, and cellist Colin Carr, unites three internationally acclaimed artists renowned for their exceptional musicianship and commitment to chamber music. With performances spanning the globe, the trio brings together Weiss’ poetic sensitivity, Kaplan’s expressive artistry on his historic Stradivari violin, and Carr’s vibrant cello playing praised worldwide. Individually celebrated through prestigious awards, international competitions, and acclaimed recordings—the ensemble is distinguished by their unified musical vision.
Yael Weiss, piano
Award-winning Israeli-American pianist Yael Weiss has performed worldwide including at Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Bolshoi Hall, Seoul’s Arts Center and Tokyo’s Gotanda Center. Her discography includes solo, concerto and chamber music works by over a dozen composers. On her recent release of The Complete Beethoven Piano Trios (with violinist Mark Kaplan and cellist Peter Stumpf) Gramophone Magazine compared Weiss to Beethoven himself “…as if the composer were at the keyboard”.
She is curator of the groundbreaking commissioning and performing project 32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World, bringing together new piano works from countries of conflict, all unified by Beethoven’s “Call for Inward and Outward Peace”.
Ms. Weiss has been honored with distinguished prizes from the Naumburg International Piano Competition and the Kościuszko Foundation Chopin Piano Competition. She has served on the faculties of Indiana University and UC-Santa Barbara. Her teachers included Richard Goode and Leon Fleisher.
Mark Kaplan, violin
A leading violinist of his generation and a laureate of the Leventritt International Competition, Mark Kaplan has appeared with nearly every major American orchestra, including the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras, the Cleveland and Philadelphia Orchestras; as well as the great symphonies of Europe and Asia. He has appeared regularly at festivals such as Aspen, Chautauqua, Grant Park, Ravinia, Saratoga and Wolf Trap.
Deeply devoted to chamber music, Kaplan has been playing and recording trios for 45 years, first in the Golub-Kaplan-Carr trio and now in the Weiss-Kaplan-Stumpf Trio. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he was a student of Dorothy DeLay and recipient of the Fritz Kreisler Memorial Scholarship. He plays a violin made by Antonio Stradivari in 1685, known as the Marquis.
Mark Kaplan is Professor of Violin at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.
Colin Carr, cello
Colin Carr appears throughout the world as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, and teacher. He has played with major orchestras worldwide, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, The Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, the orchestras of Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, Philadelphia, Montréal and all the major orchestras of Australia and New Zealand. Conductors with whom he has worked include Rattle, Gergiev, Dutoit, Elder, Skrowasczewski and Marriner.
Chamber music plays an important role in his musical life. He is a frequent visitor to international festivals and has appeared often as a guest with the Guarneri and Emerson string quartets and with New York’s Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
He has held teaching positions at the New England Conservatory and the Royal Academy of Music. St John’s College, Oxford created the post of “Musician in Residence” for him. Since 2002 he has been a professor at Stony Brook University in New York.
This summer, Strings turns Wednesday nights into the ultimate evening out—think world-class music, fresh mountain air, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe. Starting at 6pm, enjoy drinks from the outdoor bar and pre-order a charcuterie picnic box from MEATBAR for the perfect picnic under the patio tent. Orders must be placed via https://meatbar.com/strings before 12pm on Wednesdays.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

HARMONIC DIALOGUES
2025-07-26 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $46.
Join us for an enchanting evening of musical conversation and lyrical interplay, as acclaimed musicians Vijay Gupta (violin), Leah Ferguson (viola), Joel Noyes (cello), Benjamin Hochman (piano), Ricardo Morales (clarinet), and Richard Deane (horn) present Harmonic Dialogues. Experience a vibrant dialogue between instruments, genres, and musical ideas, opening with Ernő Dohnányi’s lush and spirited Sextet in C Major, Op. 37, a radiant masterpiece that showcases a lively interaction among strings, piano, clarinet, and horn.
After intermission, delve into Johannes Brahms’ emotionally charged and dramatically nuanced Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25. This beloved work explores rich textures, fiery rhythms, and passionate melodies, culminating in a finale filled with gypsy-inspired fervor.
Through intimate chamber music performed by world-class artists, Harmonic Dialogues promises a profound exploration of musical expression and emotional resonance, crafting an extraordinary evening that speaks directly to the heart.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

TRIOS OF PASSION
2025-07-30 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $35.
Immerse yourself in a compelling evening of chamber music with renowned musicians Vijay Gupta (violin), Joel Noyes (cello), and Benjamin Hochman (piano), as they present a stirring exploration of intense emotions and profound lyrical beauty. The concert opens with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s evocative Trio No. 1 in G minor, a youthful yet deeply introspective work that conveys melancholy, tenderness, and introspection through richly layered melodies.
Following intermission, experience the grandeur and emotional depth of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s monumental Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50, composed as an elegiac tribute filled with dramatic intensity, passionate virtuosity, and profound mourning. The expressive interplay among violin, cello, and piano weaves a tapestry of emotion, drawing listeners into a world of heartfelt sincerity and musical passion.
Don’t miss this extraordinary evening of chamber masterpieces, expertly performed by three distinguished artists whose nuanced interpretation and expressive power promise a memorable musical journey.
This summer, Strings turns Wednesday nights into the ultimate evening out—think world-class music, fresh mountain air, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe. Starting at 6pm, enjoy drinks from the outdoor bar and pre-order a charcuterie picnic box from MEATBAR for the perfect picnic under the patio tent. Orders must be placed via https://meatbar.com/strings before 12pm on Wednesdays.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

CZECH MATES
2025-08-02 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $41.
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of Czech chamber music with Czech Mates, an evening showcasing powerful and evocative masterpieces performed by renowned artists Vijay Gupta (violin), Claude Sim (viola), Joel Noyes (cello), and Benjamin Hochman (piano).
The concert begins with Janáček’s deeply expressive Dumka for Violin and Piano, filled with folk-inspired melodies and poignant lyricism. Then, experience Smetana’s passionate and profoundly personal Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15, a work brimming with emotional intensity and dramatic contrasts.
After intermission, enjoy the warmth and romantic exuberance of Dvořák’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 23, a joyful piece celebrating Czech nationalism with vivid melodies, lively rhythms, and radiant harmonies.
Join us for an inspiring exploration of Czech music, brought vividly to life by this exceptional ensemble.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

ERINYS QUARTET COMMUNITY CONCERT AT THE GRANARY
2025-08-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Hayden Granary, 198 E Lincoln Ave
Head west to the Hayden Granary for an evening of live music with Erinys Quartet! Indulge in delicious offerings from Alpenglow Winery, Hayden Taphouse, and Sage and Spirit while experiencing the unique charm of this historic gathering place, all while supporting Hayden’s historic preservation efforts.
Named for the Erinyes (a.k.a. the Furies) from the Greek tragedy Oresteia by Aeschylus, and with roots in Estonia, Lithuania, Greece, the United States, and Finland, the Erinys Quartet was founded in 2018 at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where they worked closely with cellist Marko Ylönen.
Since the autumn of 2023, they have been the Nina von Maltzahn String Quartet-in-Residence at the Curtis Institute of Music. During the 2024-25 season, the Erinys Quartet performs throughout Europe and the United States, with concerts in Greece, Hungary, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Florida, Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, and California.
They have also been featured in festivals and concert series such as the Mimir Chamber Music Festival in Fort Worth, Texas; Festival Groba in Ponteareas, Spain; the inaugural Dover Quartet Workshop at the Curtis Institute; as well as the Professional String Quartet Seminar with the Pacifica Quartet and Atar Arad (Cleveland Quartet) at Indiana University.

STRINGS UNBOUND
2025-08-06 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $46.
Experience the boundless artistry of strings in Strings Unbound, a dynamic evening featuring exceptional musicians Sheryl Staples, Katherine Bormann, Elizabeth Stewart, and Joosep Reimaa (violin), Erina Laraby Goldwasser, Marija Räisänen, (viola), Austin Fisher, and Stergios Theodoridis (cello).
The concert opens elegantly with Boccherini’s graceful and luminous String Quintet in E Major, Op. 11, celebrated for its lyrical charm and delightful interplay between instruments. Following this classical masterpiece, enjoy an exciting piece performed by the innovative Erinys String Quartet, introducing fresh voices and contemporary ideas to the rich tradition of chamber music.
The evening culminates in Mendelssohn’s extraordinary String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20, a youthful and exhilarating tour de force filled with vibrant melodies, breathtaking energy, and dazzling virtuosity. A captivating celebration of strings unbound, blending tradition with innovation.
Join us at 6:00pm before the show for an informal discussion with Jamey Lamar—renowned recording engineer, lecturer, and classical music commentator—for a captivating 30-minute pre-concert discussion on decoding classical. With his warm, down-to-earth style, Jamey helps demystify classical music, offering insights that make the listening experience more meaningful.
This summer, Strings turns Wednesday nights into the ultimate evening out—think world-class music, fresh mountain air, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe. Starting at 6pm, enjoy drinks from the outdoor bar and pre-order a charcuterie picnic box from MEATBAR for the perfect picnic under the patio tent. Orders must be placed via https://meatbar.com/strings before 12pm on Wednesdays.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

OPEN REHEARSAL FOR FAMILIES & FRIENDS
2025-08-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
All ages are invited to the Strings Pavilion for an Open Rehearsal as classical musicians prepare for the upcoming concert: Rhapsody in Blue.
Peer behind the curtain as classical musicians prepare for an exciting performance. This event is open to the public, giving families and friends an exclusive opportunity to gain insight into the inner workings of concert preparation. Children of all ages are welcome to attend!

RHAPSODY IN BLUE WITH ORCHESTRA
2025-08-09 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $69.
Led by charismatic conductor Andrew Grams, this vibrant and stirring program showcases iconic works by groundbreaking American composers in a thrilling orchestral performance.
The evening opens brilliantly with Starburst by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jessie Montgomery. This dynamic work for string orchestra dazzles listeners with its vivid textures, rhythmic vitality, and shimmering interplay. Next, experience Alan Hovhaness’s evocative Alleluia and Fugue, Op. 40b, a deeply reflective piece filled with spiritual warmth and harmonic richness, offering an ideal contrast to Montgomery’s exuberance.
At the heart of the concert is George Gershwin’s timeless masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue, performed in Ferde Grofé’s iconic arrangement. Pianist Joanne Pearce Martin captures Gershwin’s irresistible fusion of jazz rhythms, lush harmonies, and soaring melodies, bringing to life the vibrant spirit of 1920s America.
After intermission, immerse yourself in Aaron Copland’s hauntingly beautiful “Quiet City”, spotlighting Michele Tosser Smith on English horn and Michael Sachs on trumpet. This poignant work masterfully evokes the introspective atmosphere of urban nights, highlighted by expressive dialogue between soloists and orchestra.
The program concludes triumphantly with Copland’s beloved “Appalachian Spring”, presented in its intimate original 13-instrument chamber version. Celebrating American pastoral scenes and pioneering spirit, this iconic piece encapsulates the optimism, simplicity, and beauty at the heart of American music.
Don’t miss this remarkable performance—a powerful exploration of American musical genius celebrating tradition, innovation, and the boundless creativity of orchestral artistry.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

CLIBURN GOLD MEDAL WINNER: ARISTO SHAM SOLO PIANO RECITAL
2025-08-13 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $41.
Strings Music Festival is honored to welcome the Gold Medalist of the Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Aristo Sham. This exclusive performance offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the artistry of one of the world’s most promising pianists, fresh from their triumph at this prestigious competition.​
The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, established in 1962, has long been revered as a launching pad for exceptional pianistic talent. Held every four years in Fort Worth, Texas, the 2025 edition took place from May 21 to June 7, with the winner emerging as a beacon of musical excellence.
Program Preview:
J.S. Bach | S. Rachmaninov Suite from Violin Partita in E Major, BWV 1006
(8’)
(1685–1750) | (1873-1943)
J.S. Bach | Ferruccio Busoni Chaconne in D Minor, BWV 1004
(14’)
M. Ravel Gaspard de la nuit
(21’)
(1875-1937)
– Intermission –
L. Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, op. 106
(39’) (1770-1827) “Hammerklavier”
This summer, Strings turns Wednesday nights into the ultimate evening out—think world-class music, fresh mountain air, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe. Starting at 6pm, enjoy drinks from the outdoor bar and pre-order a charcuterie picnic box from MEATBAR for the perfect picnic under the patio tent. Orders must be placed via https://meatbar.com/strings before 12pm on Wednesdays.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2025 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin April 30 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public May 9 at 10:00AM MDT.

STEAMBOAT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: AND A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
2025-09-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-09-27 19:00 - 21:00
The Yampa River comes to life in music! Join the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra this fall for a concert that flows through Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony No. 6, John Powell’s thrilling How to Train Your Dragon suite, and beloved film scores including A River Runs Through It, Out of Africa, Ice Age, and The Last of the Mohicans.
In a special collaboration, the Little Moon Travelers join the orchestra for world-premiere arrangements by Russell Walden’s of Sanctuary and Out Chasing Horses, blending bluegrass and symphonic sound in a uniquely Steamboat partnership. The evening closes with the powerful finale of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and Copland’s iconic Hoe Down.
An unforgettable night where melody meets the movement of water.

STEAMBOAT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FINDING CHRISTMAS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
2025-12-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-06 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-06 19:00 - 21:00
Tickets start at $34.50 for adults, $17.25 for students.
The holidays are more than a season – they’re a symphony of moments. From the first snowfall to cherished traditions, it’s a time woven with joy, connection, and wonder. Home isn’t just a place; it’s where music fills the air, laughter echoes, and memories are made.
This winter, the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra invites you to celebrate the season with a concert of festive cheer, timeless melodies, and symphonic magic. Wherever home is for you, let the music bring you there.
Student pricing applies to tier 3 only.

INTERSECTIONS: MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM FEATURING EKSTASIS DUO
2026-01-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Steamboat Art Museum, 807 Lincoln Ave.
This event is free to the community!
Join us at the Steamboat Art Museum for a performance from Ekstasis Duo as a part of our 2026 Intersections: Music at the Museum series presented by Strings Music Festival and the Steamboat Art Museum. Doors open at 5:30pm; music begins at 6:00pm, followed by a Q&A with the artists at 6:45pm. These free events are open to music lovers of all ages!
We wanted an easy-to-spell, easy-to-pronounce name, and we ended up with … EKSTASIS.
The term suggests an experience that lifts the spirit in an intensely joyful, profoundly moving, and unforgettable way. We believe that there is a treasure trove of unknown works that a listener would be excited to discover with us.
The Ekstasis Duo is thrilled to return to Steamboat Springs. Since their debut in 2018, the duo has appeared on distinguished national stages such as New York City’s Merkin Hall, Arizona’s Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, Ohio’s Holland Theater, Maryland’s Resonance Chamber Music Series, and Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Natasha Farny (cello) and Eliran Avni (piano) met at Juilliard. Later, as colleagues at SUNY Fredonia, they decided to perform masterpieces alongside recently-discovered jewels, with a special regard for minority figures. The duo produced their first CD, Women’s Voices, in the fall of 2021. Their second CD, …From the Shadows, was released in 2023. Both albums are available for streaming on all digital platforms.

STEAMBOAT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SYMPHONY OF CHAMPIONS: CELEBRATING THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT
2026-02-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Tickets start at $34.50 for adults, $17.25 for students.*
Imagine your heart pounding as the Olympic Fanfare begins. Feel the pride as local Olympians march through the hall, take the stage, and inspire us with their presence. Let your Steamboat Symphony Orchestra lift your spirits and stir your imagination with music that celebrates excellence, unity, and the very best of our community during this Symphonic Winter Carnival.
*Student pricing applies to tier 3 only.

INTERSECTIONS: MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM FEATURING BOYD MEETS GIRL
2026-02-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Steamboat Art Museum, 807 Lincoln Ave.
This event is free to the community!
Join us at the Steamboat Art Museum for a performance from Boyd Meets Girl as a part of our 2026 Intersections: Music at the Museum series presented by Strings Music Festival and the Steamboat Art Museum. Doors open at 5:30pm; music begins at 6:00pm, followed by a Q&A with the artists at 6:45pm. These free events are open to music lovers of all ages!
Boyd Meets Girl pairs Australian classical guitarist Rupert Boyd with American cellist Laura Metcalf. The duo has toured the world sharing their eclectic mix of music from Debussy and Bach to Radiohead and Beyoncé, and their two studio albums have received over 4 million streams on Spotify.
Both acclaimed soloists in their own right, Boyd has been described as “truly evocative” by The Washington Post, and as “a player who deserves to be heard” by Classical Guitar Magazine, while Metcalf, who has also toured as a member of the popular chamber ensembles Eighth Blackbird, Break of Reality and Sybarite5, has been called “brilliant” by Gramophone.

INTERSECTIONS: MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM FEATURING JI SU JUNG
2026-03-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Steamboat Art Museum, 807 Lincoln Ave.
This event is free to the community!
Join us at the Steamboat Art Museum for a performance from Ji Su Jung as a part of our 2026 Intersections: Music at the Museum series presented by Strings Music Festival and the Steamboat Art Museum. Doors open at 5:30pm; music begins at 6:00pm, followed by a Q&A with the artists at 6:45pm. These free events are open to music lovers of all ages!
The first solo percussionist to receive the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Ji Su Jung has a distinctive musical voice instantly recognizable for its depth and lyricism. Born in South Korea, Jung began studying marimba at age three, a rarity among percussionists. Since launching her solo career, she has performed concertos with leading orchestras and conductors, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with Marin Alsop, the Houston Symphony with Daniel Hege, the Colorado Symphony and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra with Peter Oundjian, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic with JoAnn Falletta, the Sarasota Orchestra with Giancarlo Guerrero, and the Milwaukee Symphony with Ryan Tani. She was featured as a soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony as part of the 2024 Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
In addition to receiving the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2022, she is a previous recipient of first prize and the audience choice award at the Houston Symphony’s Ima Hogg Competition, as well as a top prize at the International Marimba Competition in Linz, Austria. She also appeared as a young artist in residence on American Public Media’s nationally broadcast program Performance Today, hosted by Fred Child.

AMERICA AT 250: CENTURIES OF SOUND
2026-06-27 19:00 - 22:00
Starts at $46.

America at 250: Centuries of Sound
Opening Night Orchestra celebrating pivotal moments in Western music
Strings Music Festival’s Season 39 classical series opens with a vibrant program tracing two and a half centuries of Western music evolution. Michael Sachs conducts a distinguished orchestra featuring concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef. The performance includes Carl Stamitz’s Orchestral Quartet of 1776, Beethoven’s final String Quartet from 1826, Dvořák’s radiant Serenade for Strings from 1876, and Barber’s lyrical Serenade, written in 1928.
Program Preview
Carl Stamitz Orchestral Quartet in C Major, Op. 14 No. 1
(1745–1801)
Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in F Major, No. 16, Op. 135
(1770–1827)
INTERMISSION
Samuel Barber Serenade for Strings, Op. 1, III. Dance
(1910–1981)
Charlie Chaplin Smile from Modern Times
(1889–1977)
Antonín Dvořák Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22
(1841–1904)
Please join us after the show for a complimentary champagne reception!
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2026 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin January 28 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public February 11 at 10:00AM MDT.

BLUEGRASS AND BEYOND
2026-07-01 19:00 - 21:00
Starts at $35.

Bluegrass and Beyond
The modern American string quartet
Exploring the evolution of the modern string quartet, this program brings together two compelling works by living composers: Philip Glass’ hypnotic and influential String Quartet No. 5 and Mark O’Connor’s genre-crossing String Quartet No. 2 “Bluegrass”, which fuses classical structure with the rhythmic drive and spirit of American roots music. Glass creates a luminous, ever-shifting soundscape, while O’Connor draws on folk traditions to reimagine the quartet through a distinctly American lens. Featuring Nurit Bar-Josef, Milana Reiche, Erina Laraby Goldwasser, and Austin Fisher, the ensemble brings these contrasting visions to life with clarity, nuance, and expressive depth.
Program Preview
Philip Glass String Quartet No. 5
(b. 1937)
INTERMISSION
Mark O’Connor String Quartet No. 2 “Bluegrass”
(b. 1961)
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2026 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin January 28 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public February 11 at 10:00AM MDT.

AMERICAN ROOTS
2026-07-03 19:00 - 21:00
Starts at $46.
American Roots
The Evolution of Folk featuring Mark and Maggie O’Connor

Grammy Award–winning Mark and Maggie O’Connor headline a Strings Music Festival ensemble in Strings and Threads Suite, a vibrant exploration of how American folk music has grown, blended, and reinvented itself over time. The performance weaves together fiddle traditions, classical technique, and fresh rhythmic energy. Joined by Vijay Gupta, Ellen Pendleton, Erina Laraby Goldwasser, Tanya Ell, Leigh Mesh, Elizabeth Dorman, and Michael Sachs, the ensemble showcases the history, breadth, and spirit of America’s folk lineage.

Program Preview

Mark O’Connor Strings and Threads Suite
(b. 1961)

Mark Summer / Brave Wolfe
(b. 1958)
Mark O’Connor
(b. 1961)

*Donors of $500 or more to the 2026 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin January 28 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public February 11 at 10:00AM MDT.

STEAMBOAT BILL, JR.
2026-07-11 19:00 - 21:00
Starts at $41.
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Silent film with live music by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra

Step back into the golden age of cinema for a screening of Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928), Buster Keaton’s beloved silent-film comedy, presented with live musical accompaniment by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra.
Hailed as the world’s only year-round professional ensemble dedicated to re-creating the sounds of early musical theater, silent cinema, and vintage dance, the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra brings the film to life with period-authentic music performed in real time.
Released by United Artists, Steamboat Bill, Jr. was the final film produced by Keaton’s independent production team and features his signature blend of physical comedy, precise timing, and daring stunts. Directed by Charles Reisner and inspired by the popular song “Steamboat Bill,” the film culminates in one of cinema’s most iconic moments — Keaton standing perfectly still as the façade of a collapsing house falls harmlessly around him.
This rare pairing of classic film and live orchestral performance offers a vivid, immersive experience, a must-see for film lovers, music enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the origins of movie magic.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2026 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin January 28 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public February 11 at 10:00AM MDT.

AEOLUS QUARTET
2026-07-15 19:00 - 21:00
Pay-What-You-Can Performance
Aeolus Quartet
Masterworks and new voices for String Quartet
Acclaimed for performances of both “high-octane” excitement (Strad) and “dusky lyricism” (The New York Times), the Aeolus Quartet has earned prizes at nearly every major chamber music competition in the United States and is currently Quartet-in-Residence at Musica Viva NY. Formed in 2008 and featured on the Netflix miniseries The Defenders, the ensemble comprises violinists Isabelle Durrenberger and Rachel Shapiro, violist Caitlin Lynch, and cellist Jia Kim. The quartet has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia in venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Reinberger Recital Hall at Severance Hall, the Library of Congress, Renwick Gallery, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center.
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2026 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin January 28 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public February 11 at 10:00AM MDT.

COUNTERPOINT: A PIANO AND TAP DANCE DUO
2026-07-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Strings Music Pavilion, 950 Strings Road
Starts at $46.
Counterpoint
A piano and tap dance duo with Conrad Tao and Caleb Teicher
Counterpoint brings together pianist and composer Conrad Tao and acclaimed tap dancer and choreographer Caleb Teicher in a continuous dialogue between music and movement. Throughout the program, piano and tap dance are fully integrated, with each work conceived and performed as a true collaboration. Together, Tao and Teicher explore rhythm, structure, and improvisation, revealing a shared musical language between sound and motion.
Spanning a wide stylistic range, the program draws on the elegance of Bach’s Aria from the Goldberg Variations, alongside the lyricism of Brahms and Mozart—reimagined through this collaborative lens. Original works and improvisations by Tao and Teicher highlight the percussive power of the human body as an instrument, including selections from their acclaimed work More Forever, praised by The New York Times for “constantly extending the sonic aspects of dance.”
Program Preview
Johann Sebastian Bach Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria
(1685–1750)
Arnold Schoenberg Fünf Klavierstücke, Op. 23: V. Walzer
(1874–1951)
Ray Noble Cherokee
1903–1978) /Art Tatum
(1909–1956) /Bud Powell
(1924–1966)
Charles “Honi” Coles The Coles and Bufalino Soft Shoe
(1911–1992) /Brenda Bufalino
(b. 1937)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Song and Dance, based on Allegretto “Alla turca” from
(1756–1791) / Sonata in A major, K. 331David Parker
(b. 1953)
Conrad Tao Swing 2 from More Forever
(b. 1994) /
Caleb Teicher
(b. 1993)
George Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue (arr. for solo piano)
(1898–1937)
Maurice Ravel Mouvement de menuet from Sonatine in F-sharp minor
(1875–1937)
Johann Sebastian Bach Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria
*Donors of $500 or more to the 2026 Annual Fund receive presale access. Donor presales begin January 28 at 10:00AM MDT. On sale to the public February 11 at 10:00AM MDT.
