About the Festival

The Purpose

The purpose of the Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival is to:

foster an intelligent appreciation of chamber music through performances, concerts, lectures, community programs and events
provide educational opportunities relative to the appreciation of chamber music for area residents and visitors through the use of various means, including seminars, lectures, discussions, interactive programs, demonstrations and children's concerts and events
offer outreach programs relative to the appreciation of chamber music for members of the community who are elderly, disabled, infirm or otherwise disadvantaged
stimulate public support for chamber music by affording the public an opportunity to hear performances of the best selection of chamber music
promote research, study and understanding of chamber music
encourage the work of modern composers and other artists in the chamber music field through public performances of their work
conduct any and all lawful activities that may be useful in accomplishing the foregoing purposes

Growth Through Excellence

Beginning with three concerts held at The Farmers' Museum in 1999, the Festival has grown each year. Unchanged throughout this initial period of impressive growth is a commitment to offering central New York audiences of all ages an opportunity to hear internationally renowned artists performing a rich and innovative repertoire of masterworks, lesser known treasures, and contemporary compositions.

The cornerstone of the Festival's success is the outstanding leadership consistently provided by Linda Chesis, artistic director and founder. Over the past nine years, Ms. Chesis' programming decisions have won and maintained the trust of Festival concert-goers.

Furthermore, Ms. Chesis' international reputation as a flutist and leader in the chamber music world has enabled her to bring top chamber musicians to the Cooperstown area. As chair of the Woodwinds Department at the Manhattan School of Music, Ms. Chesis is extremely well connected, and the Festival benefits greatly from her position.

The Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival is particularly distinctive because chamber music is rarely heard in the Cooperstown area. Audience members include residents and tourists of all ages, coming from all parts of New York state, as well as neighboring New England and Mid-Atlantic states.

Artistic Inspiration in a Bucolic Setting

Cooperstown provides the perfect setting for Festival concerts. The small-town atmosphere offered by the village of Cooperstown finds a counterpart in the intimate experience of a chamber music concert. And the beautiful natural surroundings are reflected in the performances, for visiting musicians are inspired by their stay. The sense of intimacy is furthered by pre-concert chats with the artists, who enjoy the opportunity to talk with the audience about the pieces they play, their instruments, and their lives as chamber musicians.

The creativity unleashed by this blend of artistic sophistication and rural atmosphere produces magical, unforgettable performances. The Festival's partnership with graphic designer Milton Glaser also exemplifies these elements at play. Famous for his IYNY logo, Mr. Glaser has designed the Festival's print materials since 2002 including posters of violin-playing cows. Each year his poster design for the Festival is received with great anticipation.

Commitment to Community

The Festival is committed to introducing audiences of all ages to the joy and power of chamber music. Each year, the Festival presents two family daytime concerts that include wonderful introductions to classical music treasures, engaging pre-concert activities, and a very popular instrument 'petting zoo' after the concert.

To ensure that these daytime concerts are accessible to all families, ticket prices are extremely affordable at $15 for a family pass, regardless of family size. The evening concerts are also priced to demonstrate our commitment to making chamber music available to as many people as possible.

The Festival also maintains a strong community outreach program: Festival artists visit and perform free concerts for those who may not have access to the regular concerts. With the help of a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Cooperstown, artists have performed community outreach concerts at the Pathfinder Village, Upstate Home for Children and Adults (now Springbrook), Otsego Manor, Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, Otesaga Hotel, and Cooperstown Farmers' Market.

Affiliations

The Festival is a proud member/affiliate with the following organizations: