Vision Statement

The Methow Music Festival is a magical, financially stable, famous and unique classical music series featuring artists of excellence and held in a spectacular setting.

The festival office is staffed by experienced, talented, energetic people who get the job done harmoniously.

This well-endowed program is based in a permanent venue with indoor and outdoor seating. Educational opportunities and master classes complete this broad-based program.

To the board of the Methow Music Festival the mission and vision statements are living documents. Each year goals are set which combine these documents, community feedback, and evaluations.

Under the guidance of the Board and the administrative staff many volunteers assist in the Festival’s operation. This past year over 100 people volunteered services for tasks including: housing musicians in their homes; providing post-concert meals; selling ads for our concert programs; distributing posters and rack cards; placing roadside signs; and working at the concerts to fulfill the myriad of duties necessary for the production of a music festival.

Our audience survey cards indicate that as a result of their efforts the Festival is recognized throughout Washington, Oregon and California as producing quality classical music events in a unique, beautiful, serene, rural environment.

“ Passion. Energy. Drama. These words were repeated like a mantra by the musicians and audience at the eighth annual Methow Music Festival during its first weekend of exceptional chamber music … “
Marcy Stamper, Methow Valley News, August 14, 2003

In 2003 a step was taken towards fulfilling our mission ‘to work with other organizations and to serve young people’. The Festival collaborated with Cascadia in presenting a concert to introduce young people to classical music. With the guidance and advice of Methow Arts, an organization that brings arts into the schools, underwriting from Cascadia, and a committee representing four nonprofit organizations, this young person’s concert was offered to the community free as part of an expanded Community Day.

The Festival is also looking toward long-term stability with the establishment of an endowment fund. The Community Foundation of North Central Washington has agreed to manage the fund.

In October 2003 the Festival Board hired Seattle resident Lisa Bergman as Artistic Director. Lisa’s reputation as a musician, connections with chamber music players both regionally and nationally, experience as an Artistic Director, as well as her thoughtful approach to developing music programs made her the ideal person to lead the Festival into its next stage of growth. Her formula for success includes a delightful blend of chamber music, friendship, and gustatory pleasures. Her philosophy is that with innovative programming, varied venues and community partnerships, chamber music festivals can attract and satisfy like no other medium.

The Methow Music Festival Association has indeed come a long way.