Tamworth Music Festival (d.b.a. Staunton Music Festival)
Why We Exist
Staunton Music Festival’s mission is to offer exceptional chamber music performed by international caliber musicians at historic venues throughout Staunton in a way that is accessible to all. Concert programs are innovative and seek a balance between old and new music. SMF musicians include local, national, and international artists, many of whom are acclaimed for their knowledge of historical performance traditions. We believe in the power of live classical music to transform the region and all of its residents.
What We Do
The Staunton Music Festival (SMF), produced by the Tamworth Music Festival, presents world-class concerts for the benefit and enrichment of thousands of people each year. During the signature August festival, we present a series of daily free lunch-time concerts and free educational talks relating to music and music performance. These performances form an integral part of our outreach mission; they are also an important complement to our ten evening August concerts, for which admission is charged. Over 70 acclaimed musicians and composers are invited from across the U.S. and Europe. In addition, during the spring, summer, and fall, Festival musicians present five Outreach events tailored to specific community segments. The Outreach events serve to bring world-class musicians into locations where high-level, live music performance is not readily available. Finally, the SMF also operates a creative writing / art project called The Musical Spark. The Musical Spark uses recorded classical music to engage the imaginations of hundreds of children in grades 3-12, encouraging self-expression, attentive listening, and connection to the arts.
Who We Serve
Our audience is based in and around Staunton, Virginia, though increasingly music lovers from across the U.S. are attending the August festival for multiple days. The audience includes both experienced and new music lovers. There is no specific targeted audience.
Where We Serve
Why Community Members Support Our Work
The Staunton Music Festival has emerged from a small, fairly local classical music festival to become one of the most acclaimed destination events for music lovers across the U.S. It is noted for its eclectic, dynamic programs and its world-class performers. Ticket prices are modest, and more than half of all SMF events are completely free to attend, allowing maximum attendance by people regardless of financial means. With state and federal grants providing unpredictable resources year-in, year-out, financial donations by individuals and private foundations is absolutely critical to the existence of this organization. We have managed to increase our donation income every season without exception, and at present we have about 180 active households as donors. Donations account for roughly 50% of our total income.
How Volunteers Contribute to our Work:
The Staunton Music Festival has emerged from a small, fairly local classical music festival to become one of the most acclaimed destination events for music lovers across the U.S. It is noted for its eclectic, dynamic programs and its world-class performers. Ticket prices are modest, and more than half of all SMF events are completely free to attend, allowing maximum attendance by people regardless of financial means. With state and federal grants providing unpredictable resources year-in, year-out, financial donations by individuals and private foundations is absolutely critical to the existence of this organization. We have managed to increase our donation income every season without exception, and at present we have about 180 active households as donors. Donations account for roughly 50% of our total income.
How You Can Offer Your Charitable Donations:
How Volunteers Contribute to our Work:
The Staunton Music Festival has emerged from a small, fairly local classical music festival to become one of the most acclaimed destination events for music lovers across the U.S. It is noted for its eclectic, dynamic programs and its world-class performers. Ticket prices are modest, and more than half of all SMF events are completely free to attend, allowing maximum attendance by people regardless of financial means. With state and federal grants providing unpredictable resources year-in, year-out, financial donations by individuals and private foundations is absolutely critical to the existence of this organization. We have managed to increase our donation income every season without exception, and at present we have about 180 active households as donors. Donations account for roughly 50% of our total income.
Contact Information:
Jason Stell
Staunton Music Festival
PO Box 3111
Staunton,
Virginia
24402