Colorado Music Festival
2026 Season
Stars align this year as we celebrate the Festival’s 50th and the Center for Musical Arts’ 30th anniversaries
Mozart: Haffner, Night Music & More - July 26
Enjoy an All-Mozart evening featuring pianist Tony Siqi Yun, Nachtmusik and the “Haffner” Symphony
Beethoven & Stravinsky - July 28
The Robert Mann Chamber Music Series continues with Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale & more
The Planets, Rachmaninoff & A World Premiere: July 30 & 31
Nobu Tsujii plays Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Festival Orchestra
World-Class Music,
Quintessential Boulder
July 9–August 9, 2026
Join us this summer to celebrate Colorado Music Festival’s 50th Anniversary Season, as Colorado turns 150 and America marks 250 years.
This summer’s festival, led by Music Director Peter Oundjian, features world-class artists — pianists Yuja Wang, Michelle Cann, Tony Siqi Yun and Nobuyuki Tsujii; violinists Himari and Njioma Grevious; clarinetist Ricardo Morales; guest conductors Leonard Slatkin, Jeffrey Kahane and Gemma New; the Canadian Brass; and the Danish String Quartet — beloved masterworks with the Festival Orchestra and four world premieres. Concerts are on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays, offering an unforgettable summer experience on the iconic historic stage at Chautauqua.
Mozart: Haffner, Night Music & More
Mozart: Haffner, Night Music & More
Holst’s The Planets, Rachmaninoff & A World Premiere
Holst’s The Planets, Rachmaninoff & A World Premiere
Holst’s The Planets, Rachmaninoff & A World Premiere
Holst’s The Planets, Rachmaninoff & A World Premiere
50th Anniversary Liberty Puzzle
Get your limited-edition Colorado Music Festival 50th Anniversary Liberty Puzzle today!
A fun keepsake to mark this milestone season, perfect for fans of the Colorado Music Festival.
Puzzles can be purchased for $100 at concerts this summer, at the kiosk south of Chautauqua Auditorium, via cash, check or credit card.
Stories & News
Stay Up to Date with Festival News
Colorado Music Festival continues with uniquely American concert – CBS Colorado
Set In Nature’s Realm, Fueled By Imagination, Music Festival Thrives – Classical Voice North America
by Thomas May The Colorado Music Festival takes place in a strikingly scenic setting at the foot of Boulder’s Flatirons, about 30 miles northwest of Denver. Its five-week season July 9-Aug. 9 is presented within the Colorado Chautauqua, a National Historic Landmark...
Jeffrey Kahane leads the Brandenburgs with originality at the Colorado Music Festival – Seen & Heard International
by Daniele Sahr To most, the Brandenburg Concertos are very much about the harpsichord: twinkling with its signature tinny sound, transporting the listener to another time. But hear pianist and conductor Jeffrey Kahane out: there is value to using the pianoforte...
Yuja Wang and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra deliver a stunning Barber Piano Concerto – Seen & Heard International
by Daniele Sahr If you plan to see the world’s premiere pianist, expecting her to conduct an orchestral standard might not be on your evening’s dance card. At the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder – where artists and musicians can rely on opportunities to explore...
The Colorado Music Festival Orchestra: “The Happiest Band in the Land.” – CPR Classical
By Kabin Thomas I love the Colorado Music Festival, its orchestra, Chautauqua Auditorium and what happens when those musicians gather in Boulder to make something beautiful together each summer. I call the CMF Orchestra “the happiest band in the land” because I spent...
Colorado Music Festival known for premiering new classical music – CBS Colorado
The Colorado Music Festival is known for playing traditional classical music in an exquisite setting, but the Festival is also committed to bringing new works of classic music to the stage. At one rehearsal, the Colorado Music Festival orchestra will be practicing...
Ezra Calvino Finds Their Voice on the Podium
by Kyle Macmillan Ezra Calvino’s big ah-ha moment came when they were in high school and attended a talk before a Phoenix Symphony concert with Joanne Falletta, during which the guest conductor spoke about her pioneering role in a profession that had all but excluded...
Welcoming New Executive Director, Aren Der Hacopian
Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts Welcomes New Executive Director, Aren Der Hacopian Der Hacopian joins the organization on September 1, 2026, offering a vision of engagement, collaboration and growth After a nationwide search, the Colorado Music...
Amara Quartet: From Classmates to Quartet
by Kyle Macmillan Two members of the Amara Quartet sounded downright giddy recently when talking about the fellowship that has brought the group to the Colorado Music Festival for five weeks this summer. And why not? The opportunity for performances and coaching from...