Newburyport Chamber Music Festival

The '''Newburyport Chamber Music Festival''' (NCMF) is a prominent cultural event that celebrates chamber music through a series of concerts and events in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Established in 2002 by Artistic Director David Yang and local resident Jane Niebling, the festival has grown significantly over the years. Initially, it featured three artists and concerts, but by 2020, the festival had expanded to include 11 artists and 20 events. The festival was originally sponsored by St. Paul’s Church in Newburyport but has since become an independent not-for-profit organization. ===History=== The NCMF began as a weeklong series of classical chamber music events and has evolved into a two-week series that takes place each August. Additional events are scattered throughout the year to engage the community continuously. The festival's format aims to foster an interactive partnership between residents and visiting artists by utilizing Newburyport’s unique architectural spaces for performances. ===Venues=== The festival's first venue was the 1863 granite Neo-Gothic St. Anna’s Chapel on the campus of St. Paul’s church, which provided an intimate setting for chamber music. Over time, the festival has expanded to include a variety of venues, such as the larger St. Paul’s Church, Brown Chapel at Oak Hill Cemetery, Chococoa Café, and several other public and private spaces that contribute to the festival's eclectic charm. ===Artistic Direction=== Under the artistic direction of violist David Yang, a recipient of the Independence Foundation Fellowship, the festival brings to life the music of composers like Beethoven, Brahms, and Bartók. Yang emphasizes the in-the-moment experience of live performances, contrasting it with recorded music, and highlights the transformative process of turning written scores into auditory art. ===Board of Directors=== The NCMF is overseen by a board of directors, including Beth Clary as President and John Moreland as Treasurer, among others. Their efforts ensure the festival's ongoing success and community engagement. ===Community Engagement and Support=== The festival receives support from six cities and towns through their Local Cultural Councils and holds events in several of these locations each year. NCMF also relies on the support of corporations, foundations, and individual patrons. The festival encourages community participation through volunteering opportunities and a variety of sponsorship options. ===Outreach and Education=== In addition to concerts, the NCMF offers open rehearsals, providing audiences with a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process. The festival also engages in educational outreach, contributing to the cultural enrichment of the Newburyport area. ==External Links== * [http://www.oakhillcemeterynewburyport.com/49-2 Brown Chapel at Oak Hill Cemetery] * [https://chococoabaking.com/ Chococoa Café] * [http://www.hriccatholic.org Church of the Nativity] * [https://www.jabberwockybookshop.com/ Jabberwocky Bookshop] * [http://www.merrimaclibrary.org/ Merrimac Public Library] * [https://newburyportart.org/ Newburyport Art Association] * [https://www.newburyportpl.org/ Newburyport Public Library] * [https://www.salisburylibrary.org/about.html Salisbury Public Library] * [http://www.amesburyunion.org/ Union Congregational Church] * [http://thespacezfdm.com The Space Zach Fields Drums & Music] ==References== <references/> [[Category:Music festivals in Massachusetts]] [[Category:Chamber music festivals]] [[Category:Newburyport, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Cultural festivals in the United States]]