August 16-25, 2024
August 14-23, 2026
In August 2026 the Summer Festival will return for its 28th season. Some of the planned highlights include a grand Bach-themed program on opening night (with Brazilian influence); Mozart's Don Giovanni as finale; performances and works by bandoneon virtuoso JP Jofre; musical dramas by Benjamin Britten, Leah Reid, and Jake Heggie; multiple concerts celebrating minor masters and marginalized voices; chamber works from across five centuries; Nightcaps and Pop-Ups, and so much more. From Monteverdi to Mozart's "Jupiter" Symphony and music from Biber to Bernstein, August 2026 is shaping up for magical experiences!
If you're planning to come for the entire August festival, consider purchasing the discounted Summer Pass. Pass holders enjoy priority seat selection before sales are opened to the general public.
Ticketing: (540) 800-6012
boxoffice@stauntonmusicfestival.org
Bach to B.A.C.H.
Friday August 14 at 12:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church | Free admission
The Summer Festival's first noon concert features JS Bach and Sofia Gubaidulina
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
SPONSORED BY FLORENCE JOWERS & PAUL WEBER
Cocktail Hour with Gigi & Vitor
Friday August 14 at 5:00 pm
Private Residence | $60
Start your Friday evening with Brazilian music over dinner and drinks in a beautiful private home
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
BACHANALIA
Friday August 14 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
The 2026 Summer Festival opens with a grand celebration of Bach, modern responses and jazz
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY DAVIDSON PERRY-MILLER, LINDA STEIGLEDER & CLARK WIEDMANN, and DR & MRS RICHARD L M COLEMAN
Nightcap 1: Life is a Drag
Friday August 14 at 10:00 pm
Silver Line Theatre | $25
After bossa nova and JS Bach, head to Silver Line Theatre for an evening of light-hearted cabaret and a bit of campy drag
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
Satie's Vexations
Saturday August 15 from 7:00 am until ??
Stuart Hall's Eastham Center | Free admission
Somewhere between the profound and the inane, Satie's Vexations offers a day-long musical meditation
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
Different Voices
Saturday August 15 at 12:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church | Free admission
SMF presents an eclectic combination of works by marginalized voices, from Tchaikovsky to Vivier
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
SPONSORED BY AMY GOFFMAN & JAMES HORSTKOTTE
Midday Baroque Escape
Saturday August 15 at 3:00 pm
Blackfriars Playhouse | $25
Beat the midday heat of August with cool Baroque music and free gelato at the end!
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
SPONSORED BY DR SARA N JAMES
Brave Gay New World
Saturday August 15 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
The evening concert celebrates the monumental impact of gay composers on American musical life
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY LIZA DELZELL and ANNE & JOHN SILLS
Summer Sounds
Sunday August 16 at 10:30 am
Blackfriars Playhouse | $16 - $22
Be at Blackfriars Playhouse for a compelling program of chamber music from JP Jofre and others
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY KEITH MORTON
Magical Creatures (and where to find them)
Sunday August 16 at 4:00 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
Musical imagination & fantastical creatures are on full display.
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY JUNE JORDAN
For a Look or a Touch (Sunday)
Sunday August 16 at 8:00 pm
Silver Line Theatre | $25
Jake Heggie’s powerful and touching one-act opera “For a Look or a Touch” directed by Timothy Nelson
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
Polish Expats
Monday August 17 at 12:00 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | Free admission
Concert features signature works by two Polish composers who carried their native musical impressions across Europe
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
SPONSORED BY NANCY CARPENTER
Meet the Composer: JP Jofre
Monday August 17 at 3:00 pm
Central United Methodist Church | Free admission
Conversation and performance with acclaimed composer and bandoneon virtuoso JP Jofre
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
For a Look or a Touch (Monday)
Monday August 17 at 8:00 pm
Silver Line Theatre | $25
Jake Heggie’s powerful and touching one-act opera “For a Look or a Touch” directed by Timothy Nelson
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
Silenced Voices
Tuesday August 18 at 12:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church | Free admission
This free noon concert celebrates the music of four composers whose lives were cut short far too early
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
Cooking Class 2: Dinner Party Battle Plan
Tuesday August 18 at 2:00 pm
Venue info provided later | $125/person
Have no fear of hosting a dinner party with guidance and planning advice from an experienced chef
Class is limited to six persons
Con Passione
Tuesday August 18 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
Concertos by Bach and Jofre bookend this powerful program of impassioned music
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY TERRY GRANT and CHRISTINE CAPITO BURCH
Nightcap 2: Tango Night!
Tuesday August 18 at 10:00 pm
Silver Line Theatre | $25
Light up the night with music by Albéniz, Stravinsky, Biscardi, and classic Finnish and Argentinian tangos
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
Simple Pleasures
Wednesday August 19 at 12:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church | Free admission
Mozart and Terry Riley show how simplicity in art and music can be both alluring and entrancing
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
Meet the Composer: Leah Reid
Wednesday August 19 at 3:00 pm
Central United Methodist Church | Free admission
Conversation and performance with award-winning composer Leah Reid
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
In C
Wednesday August 19 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
Two symphonies dominate this mixed program of works in C major, plus works by Palestrina, Gounod, and other
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY ANN ZIRKLE and BROOKS CUSHMAN
Still in C
Thursday August 20 at 12:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church | Free admission
The Thursday noon concert includes two chamber works by Beethoven and Dohnányi
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
SPONSORED BY WINONA EMERSON
Musica Intima
Thursday August 20 at 3:00 pm
The American Hotel | $25
The popular program returns to The American Hotel for music up-close and personal
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
SPONSORED BY LINDSEY & DWIGHT GEORGE, SHEILA & MARC ANDRUS, and in memory of Dr. Robert Lesman
Flower Power
Thursday August 20 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
A series of works all connected by images and associations with plants bring Mother Nature to center stage.
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY RODNEY YOUNG & MANDI SMITH and CLIFFORD GARSTANG
Enigmas
Friday August 21 at 12:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church | Free admission
A recent arrangement by James Wilson of Elgar's beloved Enigma Variations headlines the Friday noon concert
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
SUPPORTED BY THE LEONARD & ELSIE CHITTUM MEMORIAL FUND
Cooking Class 3: Spices of The Middle East
Friday August 21 at 2:00 pm
Venue info provided later | $125/person
Your personal chef introduces you to the powerful impact of spices from Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and North Africa.
Class is limited to six persons
Baroque Inside-Out: The Glory of England
Friday August 21 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
An evening devoted to Baroque treasures from the shores of Albion, featuring Handel, Purcell, and many others
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY BILL & LISA MOORE, RICK CHITTUM, and JAMES & TAMARA RIDENOUR
Nightcap 3: Baroque Jam
Friday August 21 at 10:00 pm
Silver Line Theatre | $25
Performers gather for a spirited short program of chamber music, plus drinks for socializing into the night
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
SPONSORED BY PATRICK & KATHARINE CARNEY
Serenades at Noon
Saturday August 22 at 12:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church | Free admission
The fabulous wind serenade by Antonín Dvořák concludes this diverse program of vocal and instrumental music
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
Baroque Lovers' Afternoon
Saturday August 22 at 3:00 pm
Central United Methodist Church | Free admission
The annual tradition continues with a one-hour concert celebrating the best of the Baroque era
Admission is free and tickets are not required. Just show up!
SPONSORED BY BOB BARRON & FRED BLANTON
The Turn of the Screw
Saturday August 22 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
Enjoy a complete concert performance of Britten’s chamber opera based on the 1898 story by Henry James
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY SUSAN STEVICK and BIBB & DOLLY FRAZIER
The Magic of M&M
Sunday August 23 at 10:30 am
Blackfriars Playhouse | $16 - $22
The final day of Summer Festival 2026 starts with a scintillating combination of Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Wadsworth
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY PATRICK & KATHARINE CARNEY
Moses Memorial Lunch & Lecture
Sunday August 23 at 12:30 pm
BluPoint Seafood Co | $45
After lunch, Dr. Tim Carter speaks in detail about the finale program, Mozart’s Don Giovanni
Special Event, not included in any subscription passes
SPONSORED BY TIMBERLAKE SMITH and THE DONALD MOSES MEMORIAL EDUCATION FUND
Finale: Mozart's Don Giovanni
Sunday August 23 at 4:00 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church | $22 - $38
The 2026 Summer Festival concludes with a concert performance of Mozart's powerful opera Don Giovanni
Admission also included with Summer Pass or Annual Pass.
SPONSORED BY TOM & DIANE FECHTEL and SANDRA LOGAN & RODNEY VANDERPLOEG
Love to cook - or want to learn how to love it??
Take a small-group cooking class in August
All proceeds directly fund the Festival's catering services for performers & staff
