Cassatt String Quartet at Seal Bay Festival of American Chamber Music
The Cassatt String Quartet from New York City is returning to Maine this summer as the longtime ensemble of the Seal Bay Festival of American Chamber Music. The 23rd Seal Bay Festival runs July 28-August 5 with four primary concerts in Vinalhaven, Belfast, and Portland with special guests, plus informal concerts at communities across the region. The quartet is joined by pianist Steven Beck for programs featuring world premieres and recent works by Victoria Bond, Joan Tower, Shirish Korde and more. Full program details below.
Seal Bay Festival 2026 Highlights
August 1, 7 pm: Concert to Benefit Partners in Island Education
Smith-Hokanson Recital Hall, Vinalhaven School (22 Arcola Ln, Vinalhaven)
with guest pianist Steven Beck
Aaron Copland: “Hoedown” from Rodeo
Jay Unger: Ashokan Farewell
Florence Price: Selections from Five folksongs in counterpoint
Daniel Sonenberg: 11 minute fantasy
Victoria Bond: New York Nocturne (2026 premiere preview)
Ticket information forthcoming
August 2, 7 pm: Seal Bay Festival Concert in Vinalhaven
Smith-Hokanson Recital Hall, Vinalhaven School (22 Arcola Ln, Vinalhaven)
with guest pianist Steven Beck
Hayden Byrne: Rheidity (world premiere)
Shirish Korde: Evening Raga-Nocturne
Cody Forrest: Sea Change (world premiere)
Daniel Sonenberg: 11 minute fantasy
Joan Tower: For Jeff, with Love
Ticket information forthcoming
August 4, 7 pm: Seal Bay Festival Concert in Belfast
Colonial Theatre (163 High St, Belfast)
Shirish Korde: Evening Raga-Nocturne
Joshua Amir: Echo of a Vengeful Turn (world premiere)
Qiming Liu: Afterward (world premiere)
Zaki Andoh: The Flying Machine (world premiere)
Xinrui Zhang: Who is the Winner (world premiere)
Caroline Shaw: Entr’acte
Joan Tower: For Jeff, with Love
Ticket information forthcoming
August 5, 7 pm: Seal Bay Festival Concert in Portland
Portland Conservatory of Music (28 Neal St, Portland)
Shirish Korde: Evening Raga-Nocturne
Cody Forrest: Sea Change
Daniel Sonenberg: 11 minute fantasy
Joan Tower: For Jeff, with Love
Victoria Bond: New York Nocturne
Seal Bay Festival Community Concerts
August 1, 10 am & 1 pm: Vinalhaven Library (Vinalhaven)
August 3, 2:30 pm: Avita Retirement Community (Brunswick)
August 3, 4:30 pm: White Residence (Brunswick)
September 13, 2 pm: 75 State Street (Portland)
September, 13, 4 pm: Village Square (Gorham)
September 14, 2:30 pm: Thornton Oaks (Brunswick)
September 14, 4:15 pm: Highlands Retirement Community (Topsham)
September 14, 2 pm: Atrium at the Cedars, Portland
