Revisit Opening Night 2026

The 2026 Festival began with an amazing display of string power with our opening concert Dueling Strings. In keeping with Founder and Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann's talent for introducing audiences to unique combinations of instruments and unique arrangements, the first half featured two orchestral instruments usually found on opposite sides of the stage - harp and double bass. Principal harpist with the Houston Symphony Allegra Lilly partnered with her husband, Robin Kesselman, principal double bassist with the Houston Symphony, in a mesmerizing arrangement of Astor Piazzolla's Suite from Maria de Buenos Aires. Following the performance, watch their interview with Sophie Parker.

Orcas Island's own Luthier

Opening night also featured a pre-concert talk with Orcas Island's own luthier, Athulya Monica Gehrig. She has the amazing talent of building, repairing, and restoring string instruments. During her early studies she was fortunate enough to intern with world-famous luthier Amnon Weinstein in Tel Aviv, Israel, who created “Violins of Hope,” the inspiration for Jake Heggie's composition Intonations, which was performed at this year's festival.

Athulya currently collaborates with Music Hug in Zurich, Switzerland, and has established Salish Sea Violin on Orcas Island. 

Listen to her fascinating pre-concert talk with Aloysia Friedmann, and hear her instruments being performed on by the Miró Quartet.

C Street Brass Returns to the Islands

C Street Brass began in 2008 as a small project between five friends who are equally as comfortable in the sound world of baroque music as they are in jazz and Broadway. C Street Brass’ mission is to connect lovers of the arts from all walks of life around a highly energetic and engaging concert experience. 

C Street Brass was Ensemble-in-Residence at Carnegie Mellon University from 2012-2015. During this time the group fell in love with the thriving music scene of Pittsburgh, PA where the group is now based.

But on Monday, October 26, they will be based on Lopez Island, appearing at the Lopez School in the morning and giving a free public concert at Grace Church at 1:30 pm. Then on Tuesday, October 27, they will be based on Orcas Island, appearing at Orcas High School in the morning and performing a free public concert at 5 pm at Orcas Center.

Mark your calendars - they are not to be missed!

As part of our Musician's-in-Residence program, C Street Brass appearances are made possible by OICMF, the Music Advocacy Group, Orcas Center, and Cultural Access San Juans. Housing is being graciously provided by Rosario Resort.

Stay tuned -

over the next few Scherzos, we will be sharing more wonderful performances from OICMF's 29th Season!

You can still read all about the concerts, artists, repertoire, program notes, and so much more that made up our 29th Season in our program book - here

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updates on concerts, interviews with artists, OICMF fashion tips, and more!

We look forward to sharing more OICMF news and events with you — keep your eyes peeled for next month's Scherzo!

All the best,

Christopher Peacock

Executive Director

Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival