Mission: The Sitka Music Festival inspires audiences, sparks creativity, and strengthens community across Alaska through live chamber music performances, music education, and training-by artists of the highest caliber.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, May 16, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: JACK Quartet - Sitka Premiere of John Luther Adams's Never and Always Becoming

Location: Odess Theater - Fine Arts Campus

Experience the Sitka premiere of John Luther Adams' newest composition, Never and Always Becoming, performed by the renowned JACK Quartet. This marks the second-ever performance of Adams' String Quartet No. 9, following its world premiere in Juneau just days prior.

John Luther Adams, a composer deeply inspired by the landscapes of Alaska, lived in the state from 1978 to 2014 and was a member of the percussion section of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra at the same time that our founder and first Artistic Director, Paul Rosenthal, performed as a soloist with the orchestra. Adams' groundbreaking compositions, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Become Ocean, have made him one of the most influential voices in contemporary music.

With the JACK Quartet's fearless artistry and the resonant acoustics of Odess Theater, this Program promises to be a transformative experience-pushing the boundaries of the string quartet repertoire and immersing audiences in the meditative, evolving soundscapes of Adams, Cage, and Glass.

Program:

- John Luther Adams: Never and Always Becoming (String Quartet No. 9) - Sitka Premiere
- John Cage: Music in Four Parts
- Philip Glass: String Quartet No. 5

Click here to Buy Tickets

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

5:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Summer Festival 2025 Opening at Mean Queen

Kick off the 54th Sitka Summer Music Festival with an evening of incredible live music, great food, friends, and a welcoming atmosphere!

Grab a table, order your favorite Mean Queen food and drinks, and enjoy an up-close classical music experience in a relaxed setting. The full food and beverage menu will be available.

Click here to Buy Tickets

5:00 pm: 54th Summer Music Festival!

Location: Sitka Music Festival, 104 Jeff Davis StreetSitka, Alaska

Experience the magic of the Sitka Music Festival this summer, Alaska's premier celebration of world-class chamber music. The 54th Sitka Summer Music Festival, running from June 3 - 29, 2025, invites you to breathtaking Sitka for a month of extraordinary concerts blending tradition and innovation in an intimate setting. Enjoy flagship performances at Harrigan Centennial Hall, where you'll be captivated by stunning views of Crescent Harbor and majestic eagles soaring overhead as world-class musicians take the stage.

A major highlight of this summer's festival is the premiere performance of Henry Dehlinger's To an Alaskan Glacier, a captivating composition for soprano, cello, and piano inspired by Alaska's awe-inspiring natural beauty. This special presentation brings to life the region's majestic landscapes through music, making it a must-see event of the season.

Another standout feature this summer is the participation of Grammy-winning artist Mark O'Connor, a seven-time CMA Musician of the Year. Renowned for his virtuosity on fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, O'Connor brings his extraordinary talent and genre-defying compositions to the festival. With accolades including multiple Grammy Awards and a celebrated career blending classical and American roots music, his performances promise to be a thrilling addition to the lineup.

Elevate your festival experience with a classical music dinner cruise on Sitka Sound or a delightful festival brunch. Since 1972, this festival has enriched communities with inspiring performances and educational Programs, and this summer continues that legacy with an unforgettable Program. Tickets are on sale now-visit www.sitkamusicfestival.org to join us!

Event Schedule

Evening Subscription Concerts at Harrigan Centennial Hall - June 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28.

Mean Queen Cafe Concerts and Midweek at Miner Music Center - TBA

Special Events

Sunday, June 8 - Sea Mart Family Concert
Sunday, June 15 - Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal Community Crab Feed
Sunday, June 22 - Allen Marine Classical Music Cruise
Sunday, June 29 - Classical Music Brunch

Thursday, June 5, 2025

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Bach's Lunch - FREE

Location: Odess Theater - Fine Arts Campus

Join us at noon at the Odess Theater for Bach's Lunch!

What is Bach's Lunch? It's a free lunchtime community concert where you can enjoy world-class classical music while bringing your own Bach's (boxed) lunch. Connect with fellow music lovers, meet the incredible artists, and experience the beauty of live music in a relaxed setting.

- Zuill Bailey, cello
- Christian Colberg, viola
- Katerina Chatzinikolau, violin
- Amy Taylor, flute
- Robert Koenig, piano

Presented by the Sitka Music Festival (SMF), which inspires audiences, sparks creativity, and strengthens community across Alaska through live chamber music performances, music education, and training by artists of the highest caliber.

For over 50 years, SMF has presented classical music at the highest artistic standards. Throughout its history, SMF musicians have shared their music with Alaskans who would otherwise not have access to live chamber music of the highest caliber and, in turn, Alaskans have shared their music, traditions, and ways of life with the visiting musicians. These shared experiences have taken SMF musicians to more than 40 Alaskan communities, many of which are small, remote villages off the road system. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, SMF remains dedicated to bringing exceptional music experiences to communities statewide.

Friday, June 6, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Summer Festival Subscription Concert 1: Katerina Chatzinikolau, Christian Colberg, Zuill Bailey, and Robert Koenig

Location: Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Katerina Chatzinikolau, Christian Colberg, Zuill Bailey, and Robert Koenig
Friday, June 6, 7 p.m. - Harrigan Centennial Hall

Kick off the 2025 Sitka Music Festival with an electrifying evening of chamber music featuring an all-star ensemble: violinist Katerina Chatzinikolau, violist Christian Colberg, cellist Zuill Bailey, and pianist Robert Koenig. Their performance will showcase a diverse and thrilling Program, from Poulenc's expressive Sonata for Violin and Piano to Hubay's virtuosic Carmen Fantasie, culminating in Beethoven's masterful String Trio in C Minor, Op. 9 No. 3.

Program
- Francis Poulenc - Sonata for Violin and Piano
- Jenö Hubay - Carmen Fantasie
- Intermission
- Ludwig van Beethoven - String Trio in C Minor, Op. 9 No. 3

Click here to Buy Tickets

Saturday, June 7, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Summer Festival Subscription Concert 2: Trios with Flute and Strings

Location: Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Summer Festival Subscription Concert 2
Amy Taylor, Christian Colberg, Zuill Bailey, and Katerina Chatzinikolau
Saturday, June 7, 7 p.m.
Harrigan Centennial Hall

Join us for the second night of the 2025 Sitka Music Festival's Subscription Concert Series, featuring flutist Amy Taylor, violinist Katerina Chatzinikolau, violist Christian Colberg, and cellist Zuill Bailey.

The Program begins with Max Reger's Serenade for Flute, Violin, and Viola, Op. 141a, a late work by the German composer that highlights the delicate and expressive interplay between instruments. Composed in 1915, this piece is known for its lyrical warmth and intricate harmonies, offering a fresh and captivating chamber music experience.

Next is Ern? Dohnányi's Serenade in C for String Trio, Op. 10, written in 1902. This vibrant trio for violin, viola, and cello blends melodic richness with hints of Hungarian folk influences. Its five movements range from playful to poignant, making it a cornerstone of the string trio repertoire.

After intermission, the Program concludes with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Divertimento in E-flat Major, K. 563, composed in 1788. This six-movement work is a pinnacle of chamber music, weaving elegant melodies and intricate counterpoint into a symphonic tapestry for violin, viola, and cello.

Program
- Max Reger - Serenade for Flute, Violin, and Viola, Op. 141a
- Ern? Dohnányi - Serenade in C for String Trio, Op. 10

Intermission

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Divertimento in E-flat Major for Violin, Viola, and Cello, K. 563

Artists
- Amy Taylor, flute
- Katerina Chatzinikolau, violin
- Christian Colberg, viola
- Zuill Bailey, cello

Click here to Buy Tickets

Sunday, June 8, 2025

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm: Sea Mart Family Concert - FREE

Location: Sitka Music Festival, 104 Jeff Davis StreetSitka, Alaska

Join us on the lawn of the Sheldon Jackson Campus for the FREE Sea Mart Family Concert, a fun-filled event perfect for all ages! Enjoy an engaging, hour-long performance featuring family-friendly chamber music and interactive discussions, followed by free ice cream.

Rain or Shine! We've got tents set up in case of rain-just bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy the music. Friendly dogs are welcome, too!

Presented by the Sitka Music Festival (SMF), Alaska's premier chamber music presenter, this concert is part of our mission to inspire audiences, spark creativity, and strengthen community across Alaska.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

5:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Week Two at the Mean Queen: Chamber Music and Americana

Location: Mean Queen, 205 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Continue the celebration of the 54th Sitka Summer Music Festival with another unforgettable evening of world-class live music, great food, and community spirit at the Mean Queen!

Settle in for an up-close classical and Americana experience in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Order your favorite food and drinks from the full Mean Queen menu and enjoy an evening of incredible performances.

Reserve Your Spot:
Seating is limited! Get your tickets in advance to guarantee your place.

This week's Program will feature a mix of stunning classical works and Americana favorites performed by:

- Kurt Nikkanen, violin
- Maria Asteriadou, piano
- Zuill Bailey, cello
- Mark and Maggie O'Connor - Americana Duo

Join us for a one-of-a-kind night of music and celebration-don't miss it!

Click here to Buy Tickets

Thursday, June 12, 2025

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Bach's Lunch - FREE

Location: Odess Theater - Fine Arts Campus

Join us at noon at the Odess Theater for Bach's Lunch!

What is Bach's Lunch? It's a free lunchtime community concert where you can enjoy world-class classical music while bringing your own Bach's (boxed) lunch. Connect with fellow music lovers, meet the incredible artists, and experience the beauty of live music in a relaxed setting.

- Mark and Maggie O'Connor
- Kurt Nikkanen, violin
- Maria Asteriadou, piano
- Zuill Bailey, cello

Friday, June 13, 2025

7:00 pm  8:30 pm: Summer Festival Subscription Concert 3: Kurt Nikkanen, Maria Asteriadou, and Zuill Bailey

Location: Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Kurt Nikkanen, Maria Asteriadou, and Zuill Bailey

Friday, June 13, 7 p.m.
Harrigan Centennial Hall

Join us for the third installment of the 2025 Sitka Music Festival's Subscription Concert Series, featuring violinist Kurt Nikkanen, pianist Maria Asteriadou, and cellist Zuill Bailey. This evening's Program presents Beethoven's thrilling Kreutzer Sonata for violin and piano, followed by Tchaikovsky's deeply expressive Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50.

Program
- Ludwig van Beethoven - Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47 (“Kreutzer”)
- Kurt Nikkanen, Violin - Maria Asteriadou, Piano

- Intermission -

- Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50
- Kurt Nikkanen, Violin - Zuill Bailey, Cello - Maria Asteriadou, Piano

Click here to Buy Tickets

Saturday, June 14, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Summer Festival Subscription Concert 4: Mark and Maggie O'Connor

Location: Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Mark and Maggie O'Connor

Saturday, June 14, 7 p.m. Harrigan Centennial Hall

Experience a night of Americana and virtuosic violin mastery with Grammy-winning duo Mark and Maggie O'Connor at the 2025 Sitka Music Festival. Mark O'Connor, a triple Grammy winner and seven-time CMA Musician of the Year, joins forces with Grammy-winning violinist and vocalist Maggie O'Connor for an unforgettable performance blending classical, folk, and bluegrass traditions. This husband-and-wife duo fell in love after playing violin together in New York City in 2014, and they have been inseparable ever since.

Click here to Buy Tickets

Sunday, June 15, 2025

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal Community Crab Feed

Location: Crescent Harbor Shelter, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, AK

Bring your friends and the whole family to this beloved community event and enjoy a feast of delicious Dungeness crab with all the fixin's, expertly prepared by Our Town Catering.

Tickets available until sold out! NEW this year-no added ticket fees for online purchases, so grab your tickets in advance before we sell out!

This is a buffet-style event, meaning once the initial line moves through, you're welcome to go back for seconds (or more!).

An additional heartfelt thank you to Sitka Sound Seafoods for their many years of support in making this event possible by reserving crab for us!

The community crab feed is a fundraiser for the Sitka Music Festival. The Sitka Music Festival, a 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit is Alaska's premier chamber music presenter with the mission of providing the finest classical music experience in Alaska through performance and education.

Click here to Buy Tickets

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Midweek at Miner Music Center

Location: Sitka Music Festival, 104 Jeff Davis StreetSitka, Alaska

Join us on Wednesday evening for music, friends, conversation, and lite refreshments in the beautifully renovated Miner Music Center at Stevenson Hall.

This intimate evening event features a Program of chamber music and conversations with the artists, performed by musicians selected from:
- Danielle Talamantes, soprano
- Kerry Wilkerson, bass-baritone
- Henry Dellinger, piano and composer
- Jessica Shuang Wu, violin
- Emily Daggett Smith, violin
- Allison Bailey, viola
- Guang Wang, cello
- Zuill Bailey, cello

Click here to Buy Tickets

Thursday, June 19, 2025

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Bach's Lunch - FREE

Location: Odess Theater - Fine Arts Campus

Join us at noon at the Odess Theater for Bach's Lunch!

What is Bach's Lunch? It's a free lunchtime community concert where you can enjoy world-class classical music while bringing your own Bach's (boxed) lunch. Connect with fellow music lovers, meet the incredible artists, and experience the beauty of live music in a relaxed setting.

- Danielle Talamantes, soprano
- Kerry Wilkerson, bass-baritone
- Henry Dellinger, piano and composer
- Jessica Shuang Wu, violin
- Emily Daggett Smith, violin
- Allison Bailey, viola
- Guang Wang, cello
- Zuill Bailey, cello

Friday, June 20, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Summer Festival Subscription Concert 5: "To an Alaskan Glacier" - A Night of Chamber and Vocal Masterpieces

Location: Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Featuring the World Premiere of Henry Dehlinger's To an Alaskan Glacier

Zuill Bailey, Emily Daggett Smith, Jessica Shuang Wu, Allison Bailey, Guang Wang, Danielle Talamantes, Kerry Wilkerson, and Henry Dehlinger

Friday, June 20, 7 p.m.
Harrigan Centennial Hall

Experience an unforgettable evening of chamber and vocal music, featuring works for strings and voice. The Program opens with two virtuosic pieces for cello and quartet, followed by a world premiere that pays tribute to Alaska's majestic landscapes. The second half of the Program showcases a collection of vocal works-ranging from Irving Fine's charming Childhood Fables for Grownups to beloved operatic highlights.

Program
François Couperin - Pieces En Concert for Cello and Quartet
Franz Schubert - Arpeggione Sonata for Cello and Quartet

- Intermission -

Henry Dehlinger - To an Alaskan Glacier for Soprano, Cello, and Piano (World Premiere)
Henry Dehlinger - Amore e ‘l cor gentil for Soprano, Bass-Baritone, and Piano

Irving Fine - Selections from Childhood Fables for Grownups for Bass-Baritone and Piano

Lenny the Leopard
Tigeroo
Polaroli
The Frog and the Snake

Click here to Buy Tickets

Saturday, June 21, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Summer Festival Subscription Concert 6: Opera Highlights and Schubert's Trout Quintet

Location: Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Enjoy an evening of operatic drama and chamber music brilliance. The first half of the Program features a selection of beloved opera highlights performed by soprano Danielle Talamantes, bass-baritone Kerry Wilkerson, and pianist Henry Dehlinger. Audiences will be treated to iconic arias and duets from Mozart, Bizet, and Puccini, showcasing the beauty and power of the human voice.

After intermission, the Program shifts to chamber music with Franz Schubert's Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667, "Trout". Inspired by Schubert's song Die Forelle ("The Trout"), this quintet is known for its radiant melodies and virtuosic energy. The piece comes to life with an extraordinary ensemble, weaving together strings and piano in a work that is both playful and deeply expressive.

Program
Opera Highlights

Bei Männern - from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte
Toreador Aria - from Bizet's Carmen
Quando m'en vo - from Puccini's La boheme
Papageno Papagena - from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte

Artists
Danielle Talamantes, soprano
Kerry Wilkerson, bass-baritone
Henry Dehlinger, piano

- Intermission -

Franz Schubert - Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667, "Trout"

Artists
- Emily Daggett Smith, violin
- Allison Bailey, viola
- Guang Wang, cello
- Christian Fabian, bass
- Henry Dehlinger, piano

Click here to Buy Tickets

Sunday, June 22, 2025

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Allen Marine Classical Music Cruise 2025

Location: Crescent Harbor Shelter, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, AK

Departing from the Crescent Harbor Shelter at 6:00 p.m. and returning at 8:00 p.m., this unforgettable evening features breathtaking views of Southeast Alaska and its wildlife, world-class chamber music, a catered meal by Edith of Our Town Catering, and a cash bar-all while cruising through the stunning waters off Sitka.

This event always sells out, and we are back to a standard-size boat this year, so get your tickets fast!

This is a fundraiser for the Sitka Music Festival.

The Sitka Music Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is Alaska's premier chamber music presenter, dedicated to bringing world-class performances and educational opportunities to communities across the state.

Click here to Buy Tickets

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Midweek at Miner Music Center

Location: Sitka Music Festival, 104 Jeff Davis StreetSitka, Alaska

Join us on Wednesday evening for music, friends, conversation, and lite refreshments in the beautifully renovated Miner Music Center at Stevenson Hall.

This intimate evening event features a Program of chamber music and conversations with the artists, performed by musicians selected from:
- John Henry Crawford, cello
- Victor Asuncion, piano
- Helen Kim, violin
- Allison Bailey, viola
- Vega Quartet
- Emily Daggett Smith, violin
- Jessica Shuang Wu, violin
- Joseph Skerik, viola
- Guang Wang, cello

Click here to Buy Tickets

Friday, June 27, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Summer Festival Subscription Concert 7: CONCERTO NIGHT - A Dazzling Evening of Virtuosity

Location: Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Join us for an electrifying evening of concertos at the Sitka Music Festival's Concerto Night! This special Program features Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey alongside renowned violinist Helen Kim in Saint-Saëns' lyrical La muse et le poete-a work of exquisite beauty and interplay between violin and cello. The evening continues with Piazzolla's fiery Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, featuring Kim as the soloist in this passionate reimagining of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

A sought-after performer, Helen Kim made her orchestral debut with the Calgary Philharmonic at age six and has since performed with major ensembles, including the Boston Pops, Atlanta Symphony, and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of The Juilliard School, she has won more than 100 national and international awards and has appeared at top venues and festivals, including Alice Tully Hall, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and the La Jolla International Music Festival, performing alongside artists like Hilary Hahn, Cho-Liang Lin, and Gary Hoffman.

The evening concludes with Chopin's sublime Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by acclaimed pianist Natasha Paremski with string orchestra. A masterpiece of poetic lyricism and virtuosic brilliance, this concerto is the perfect way to cap off a night of breathtaking artistry.

Program
Camille Saint-Saëns - La muse et le poete, Op. 132 (15 min)
Featuring Helen Kim, Violin Soloist, and Zuill Bailey, Grammy-winning Cello Soloist

Astor Piazzolla - Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas)
Helen Kim, Violin Soloist
With the Vega String Quartet, Allison Bailey, Viola, and John-Henry Crawford, Cello

- Intermission -

Frederic Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 1
Featuring Natasha Paremski, Piano Soloist
With the Vega String Quartet, Allison Bailey, Viola, and John-Henry Crawford, Cello

Click here to Buy Tickets

Saturday, June 28, 2025

2:30 pm  4:00 pm: Summer Festival Subscription Concert 8: Brahms and Boccherini

Location: Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor DriveSitka, Alaska

Join the Sitka Music Festival for an afternoon of exquisite chamber music featuring cellist John-Henry Crawford and pianist Victor Asuncion in a work to be announced. The Program continues with Boccherini's elegant Cello Quintet in C Major, Op. 42 No. 2, led by Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey and the Vega String Quartet. The concert concludes with the sweeping lyricism of Brahms' Sextet in B-flat Major, Op. 18.

Program
John-Henry Crawford, Cello and Victor Asuncion, Piano

Luigi Boccherini - Cello Quintet in C Major, Op. 42 No. 2, G. 349 (17 min)
Vega Quartet - Zuill Bailey, Cello

- Intermission -

Johannes Brahms - Sextet in B-flat Major, Op. 18 (40 min)
Vega Quartet - Allison Bailey, viola  - John-Henry Crawford, cello

Click here to Buy Tickets

Sunday, June 29, 2025

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Classical Music Brunch

Location: Sitka Music Festival, 104 Jeff Davis StreetSitka, Alaska

Brunch Concert at the Miner Music Center!
Experience one of the Sitka Music Festival's most intimate and cherished events-the 2025 Brunch Concert-held in our beautifully renovated home, the Miner Music Center at Stevenson Hall. With seating limited to just 50 guests, this special fundraiser marks the grand finale of our summer festival.

Doors open at 11 a.m., allowing you to enjoy a beverage while settling in for an extraordinary concert, which begins at 11:15 a.m.. Following the performance, savor a full catered brunch, featuring a menu that always includes an Alaskan specialty-often a signature dish with Moose (vegetarian menu options available). Beverages include Prosecco, Mimosas, fresh orange juice, coffee, tea, and more.

Ticket fees are now included in the price-no surprises at checkout! Secure your spot online in advance, as this cherished event always sells out.

Date:
June 3 - June 29, 2025

Location:
Various Venues in Sitka, Alaska

Click here for more information