About the festival
Come join us in the beautiful Methow Valley this July. Enjoy evenings rich with superb musical peformances, complemented by local wines, beers, and hors d'oeuvres, and framed by golden sunsets over the Cascade mountains. Each concert evening begins with a community social hour and ends with a heartwarming afterglow where you can meet the musicians. More about the afterglow...
Our festival comprises nine days of music, including five major concerts. No two are alike. 
Artistic director Kevin Krentz creates musical programs that are both powerful and elegant, resonating with audience members on a very personal level.
In addition to the main concerts, you can listen to the music being prepared at frequent open rehearsals, or drop by one of our afternoon short-recitals held around town, where you will hear previews of upcoming music along with a discussion of the composers.
Each performance in our summer concert week includes a little music that is familiar, mixed with a little that is new, all accentuated with the virtuosic fireworks of first-class, dazzling performances by musicians from all over the nation, including the best of the Northwest. 2011 Program...
Many concert evenings begin with a pre-concert lecture or short recital that will whet your appetite for the exceptional performances to come.
Here is a little thing that makes us proud: Many artists that perform in our festival ask to return. They appreciate the camaraderie, the exceptional music, and the welcoming social character of our festival. So will you. More about the artists...
Location
The Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival takes place each summer in the Cascade Mountains on the dry, sunny side of Washington State. Our main concerts take place at Signal Hill Ranch, high above the Methow Valley floor, halfway between Winthrop and Twisp. If you haven't tried our new venue at the ranch, come experience the breathtaking views and incredible sounds. Concert-goers should plan to arrive early to enjoy a gourmet tasting menu as well as local beers and wines with their friends on the manicured lawn surrounding the barn before the concert. There you can take in panoramic views of the valley, framed by the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, while dining on light gourmet fare prepared fresh by the chef at Rocking Horse Bakery.
A large, lighted parking area with a handicapped drop-off zone and generous turn-around space accomodates plenty of vehicles. Directions
Main stage
The soaring 35-ft. ceiling above the main stage at Signal Hill Ranch facilitates a beautiful, lingering resonance that is the hallmark of a well-designed classical chamber music hall. You can see yellow acoustic reflectors on both sides of the stage. The big white canvas is a specially-designed reflector fabric, tuned to give the audience a brilliant first "pop" of sound before the reverberations.
The hard-packed, crushed-rock floor and the big barn doors (open in good weather) give the theater a rustic, yet intimate, feeling that understates the considerable acoustic and mechanical engineering that went into this beautiful structure. The theater comfortably seats 200 concert-goers.
Grounds
The main stage building is surrounded by 8000 sq. feet of green, manicured lawn perfect for socializing with your neighbors before the show. The grounds open one hour ahead of each main-stage performance. On a hot summer afternoon, what better thing could you do than relax in the shade while you enjoy a cool beverage from a real Texas Ice House?
Where to stay / What to do
If you are planning a trip to the Methow Valley, you'll want to know about other things to see and do while you are here. These organizations maintain lists of places to stay and fun activities.
Winthrop Chamber of Commerce- Twisp Chamber of Commerce
- Methow Valley Home Page
- Central Reservations Lodging
Community
The Festival collaborates with local, regional and national organizations to serve the educational and artistic needs of North Central Washington. Our musical events further the Methow Valley’s reputation as a cultural center for the arts.
In accordance with that vision, all local students are invited to attend the free community concert in addition to the many open rehearsals. Last year, the local Pipestone student orchestra was thrilled to perform on the big stage at one of our matinee events. We look forward to having them back. All interested local student musicians are invited to camp social events and receive heavily discounted tickets to the main concerts. Qualified young string players from all over the world can attend our new Chamber Music Camp. It represents a new frontier for our assocation—professional-level music education. More about music camp...
Learn more about the Methow region:
Origin
Founded by John Konigsmark in 1995 as the Methow Music Festival Association, the renamed Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival in 2011 celebrates its 16th season as a community arts organization. By sharing its love of classical music with the area’s residents and visitors, the Festival supports the economy of the region, collaborates with a network of community organizations, educates audiences, and enhances appreciation of our cultural heritage and the natural environment. The individuals comprising the Festival’s volunteer Board of Directors apply their diverse skills in overseeing its programs and activities to advance the Festival’s mission. More history...
Artistic Director
Artistic Director Kevin Krentz is a career cellist. In 2000 his trio, In Flight 3, won the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Working alongside violinist Kwan Bin Park and pianist Tanya Stambuk as the Finistera Trio, he has performed internationally and won prizes in the Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition and the Greenlake National Chamber Music Competition. Their latest album, the Daron Hagen Complete Piano Trios, has just been listed first by National Public Radio among the "Five Best American Contemporary Classical Albums of 2010." Kevin is passionate in his support of the arts and is a dedicated and sought-after teacher in Seattle. Kevin brings an experience rich in chamber music and community collaboration. 2011 bio | more about Kevin...
Board of Directors
The Festival’s Board of Directors includes Michael Brady, Dave Chantler, John Ehrenberg, Lotty Ekblad, Howard Johnson, Sandy Mackie, Robert Nelson, and Mike Real.
Business Manager
Jennifer Epps, long-time member of the popular western singing group Horse Crazy, contributes her good spirit and enthusiasm to our festival in the role of Business Manager. We welcome her exceptional talents in the areas of event planning, graphic arts and computer technology. Jennifer says, "I am excited to be working with such professional people who know what good music is all about."
Volunteers
Each year almost 100 individuals volunteer in some capacity to help with the festival. In 2010 we had over 1900 festival attendees during the ten day festival. On our Community Concert day we had over 64 youth in our audience. Classical Music in all its different sounds is alive and growing in the Methow Valley. We invite you to be a part of our audience. We promise you memories to take home.
Afterglow Parties
Come join in the fun with the musicians at the Ice House after each concert where they bask in the glow of a performance well done. Probe the minds and personalities behind the music-making, share a laugh, and hear stories of their travels.
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
