Music festivals in Southeast

One of Virginia’s most daring and accomplished music festivals has earned a spot as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 Events” for August 2015.

“We are thrilled that the Staunton Music Festival has been selected among the Top 20 listings for 2015, ” says Jason Stell, Executive Director. “The festival has always been extremely popular with residents and visitors and now we are setting new records, with visitors coming from all over the East Coast.”

The Staunton Music Festival is the only Virginia event to be listed among the Top 20 for August 2015.

The best events across the Southeast compete to receive the prestigious “Top 20 Events” designation. Through a nomination process, an independent panel of judges (organized by the Southeast Tourism Society) chooses the Top 20 events in the Southeast for each month of the year.

At the Staunton Music Festival, you’ll hear 60 of the world’s most acclaimed musicians performing in more than 20 concerts. SMF offers two concerts daily, all in historic, intimate venues throughout downtown Staunton. SMF presents a thoughtfully curated mix of chamber music that spans centuries – from the Middle Ages to modern, including new world premieres. The selections performed are known for being daring, eclectic, whimsical, and demanding. The program is performed by vocalists and instrumentalists from across Europe and the U.S.

From the opening “Midsummer Ball”, complete with dinner, concert, Cabaret-style theater and dancing, to the grand period-instrument performance of Bach’s “St. John Passion”, SMF presents more than 20 classical concerts that are not to be missed. Free pre-concert talks and special offers with numerous downtown restaurants and hotels make for an amazing festival experience. The Staunton Music Festival generates an impressive economic impact into Staunton’s economy each August.

“We feel this designation will help us continue to spread the word about Staunton throughout the Southeast, and across the country, ” added Stell.

Each year, the Staunton Music Festival attracts some of the world’s finest chamber musicians to Virginia. SMF was formed in 1998 by current artistic director Carsten Schmidt. This summer marks the festival’s 18th season.

The Southeast Tourism Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism throughout the Southeast United States. It is comprised of twelve states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.