Annual Summer Festival
Each season, Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann creates a new program of innovative concerts and events for the two-and-a-half week Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Audiences are continually amazed at the stellar variety of artists and repertoire offered. From standard compositions to world premieres of works by renowned composers, Aloysia is known for pushing the boundaries of chamber music while at the same time satisfying more traditional tastes with stunning and inspiring performances of familiar pieces. In addition, Festival-goers find themselves entertained and educated at daytime lectures given by noted experts in their music-related fields, from professors at major music schools to conductors of major symphony orchestras to internationally-known radio personalities and beyond. The summer Festival also reaches out to Orcas Island residents with free Hamlet Concerts at community centers in all corners of the island, a free Children’s Concert, and a free Open Rehearsal for Seniors for older people in the community who might find it difficult to attend an evening concert.
Salon Concerts and Dinner Concerts
Musicians from past Festivals often let us know when they will be performing in the Northwest, and if schedules permit, Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival arranges Salon Concerts and Dinner Concerts in private homes. Because of a rule in Washington State liquor laws, these intimate concerts are by invitation only and are not posted on our website or advertised to the general public. If you would like to be on the invitation list for OICMF Salon Concerts and Dinner Concerts, please contact the Festival office at or (360) 376-6636.
Community Concerts
Community Concerts are presented in a variety of venues several times during the year, usually in conjunction with multi-day educational Musicians-in-Residence experiences. The concerts always feature top musicians, some solo, some in ensembles, and always engaging and fun for local audiences, many of whom haven’t been to the summer Festival. The Musicians-in-Residence events are underwritten by grants and donors to support community arts enrichment, so the concerts tickets are offered at low cost.
Leaves of Gold Concert
Near the end of each year, the stately Rosario Resort and Spa graciously lends Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival the beautiful upstairs Music Room in the mansion for the Festival’s annual Leaves of Gold concert. Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann invites musicians from her network in the performing world to join her and Jon Kimura Parker for an early evening concert, after which the audience is invited to a lavish buffet dinner prepared by Rosario’s executive chef in the terraced dining room.
Spring Thank You Concert
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival recognizes donors who have given $1,000 or more toward the upcoming Festival with the gift of a Spring Thank You Concert. Aloysia Friedmann and Jon Kimura Parker are joined by other extraordinary musicians to perform for this deserving audience in a beautiful setting, frequently a historic Orcas Island church. The concert is followed by a reception with delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by one of the island’s finest chefs. This audience is also the first to taste the upcoming season’s private label wine selections.
