2026 Seal Bay Festival concert season
The 2026 Seal Bay Festival (July 25–August 5 and September 13–15) will feature an inclusive range of artists and composers, highlighting both established and emerging voices in contemporary American music. The festival will present the Maine premiere of Joan Tower’s To Jeff, with Love, Sea Change by Cody Forrest, and a preview performance of Victoria Bond’s New York Nocturne for piano and string quartet. Additional works include 11 Minutes of Fantasy for solo piano by Daniel Sonenberg, Vak for solo violin by Shirish Korde, and Entr’acte by Caroline Shaw.
The festival will also feature world premieres by five emerging composers: Joshua Amir, Hayden Byrne, Zaki Andoh, Qiming Liu, and Xinrui Zhang. Performers will include the Cassatt String Quartet and pianist Steven Beck.
The Seal Bay Festival encompasses four interconnected components that expand access to and appreciation of new American chamber music:
- Public Performances – Concerts featuring works by festival composers, with composers and performers personally introducing the music and engaging audiences in an informal and welcoming dialogue.
- Interdisciplinary Creative Workshop – A workshop devoted to creative exploration across artistic disciplines, led this year by Vinalhaven-based sculptor Diana Cherbuliez.
- Community Outreach Programs – Performances and educational programs serving underserved audiences in retirement communities, hospitals, community centers, public libraries, and schools throughout Portland, Brunswick, Topsham, and surrounding Maine communities.
- Composer Institute – An intensive professional development program for five emerging composers, including masterclasses, tutorials, premiere performances, and professional recordings of their works.
Together, these activities create meaningful connections among composers, performers, students, and audiences while fostering a deeper appreciation of contemporary chamber music in Maine and beyond.
