The Skaneateles Festival

09/22/2026

Closing out our weekly season recaps with Week 4!🔁

We were proud to welcome the Terra String Quartet as our 2026 Emerging Artists in Residence for our outreach week. From performing at the Carriage House Theater and a library to the woods, historical Wesleyan chapel, and more, they brought music to audiences across the region. They also delivered a brilliant main stage performance for our final church concert of the season.

We had a special performance at del Lago featuring the Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens and their touring program, Sanctuary: The Power of Resonance and Ritual - a powerful cultural experience that engaged the entire audience.

Our final KidsFest took place on the last day of the Festival, and that evening, we were treated to the incredible voice of Cécile McLorin Salvant, giving us the perfect finale to Season 47.

What a week, and such a great season!🎶🙌

09/18/2026

The seventh episode of Season 3 of the SkanFest Podcast with The Terra String Quartet is out now!🎻

The swiftly rising Terra String Quartet was the Skaneateles Festival’s 2026 Emerging Artists in Residence. Their name is a nod to their multicultural origins, representing four continents and speaking six languages. They are winners of the 2025 Naumburg Chamber Music Competition and prizewinners at the 2025 Bordeaux and Wigmore Hall International Quartet Competitions.

In this episode, quartet members Harriet, Amelia, Chih-Ta, and Audrey discuss the history of the quartet, their favorite composers and music, how they pursue their mission, and what they’re looking forward to in 2027.

The Skaneateles Festival welcomed the Terra String Quartet during the 2026 season for a week of outreach events throughout Central New York, as well as a concert at the First Presbyterian Church on August 20th.

Listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube by clicking the link in our bio.

09/15/2026

Week 3 of SkanFest🔁🎶

This week was full of exciting concerts, from classical to bluegrass. We kicked things off with a matinee featuring Erin Lesser, David McCarroll, and our Artistic Directors, Aaron Wunsch and Julia Bruskin. The following night, we celebrated this year’s Robinson Award winner and pianist, Hudson Brenner! The evening continued with Elizabeth Sutphen and American classics, concluding with the World Premiere of The Legacy of Susan B., composed by Stacy Garrop.

Friday night, we were taken to the depths of the ocean and beyond with Erin Lesser, David McCarroll, Dov Scheindlin, Aaron Wunsh, and Julia Bruskin, including a performance of George Crumb's Voice of the Whale.

We closed out the third week with incredible fiddlers, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland - Saturday night at the Vineyard with a full band, and Sunday afternoon with an intimate performance at the Mandana Barn!🎻

09/11/2026

On August 13, we proudly commissioned the World Premiere of The Legacy of Susan B., composed by Stacy Garrop! 🎼

Performed by Elizabeth Sutphen, Erin Lesser, David McCarroll, Dov Scheindlin, Julia Bruskin, and Aaron Wunsch, the piece sets the words of suffragist and social reformer Susan B. Anthony - a powerful figure whose legacy is deeply connected to our region through Rochester and Syracuse.

09/08/2026

Taking a look back at SkanFest Week 2!⏪

This week featured amazing performances from Imani Winds, including a special concert at May Memorial and a performance at the First Presbyterian Church, as well as our first KidsFest of the season, both joined by Andy Akiho.

To conclude the week, we had a sold-out recital with Garrick Ohlsson at the church, followed by our big orchestra concert of the season, Beethoven "Under the Stars" with conductor Marcelo Lehninger and Garrick Ohlsson.✨

09/03/2026

We asked our summer staff to guess what the masks would look like for our performance of Voice of the Whale by George Crumb this summer. Take a look to see whose guess was right! 👀🐋

09/01/2026

SkanFest Week 1: Recapped!🔁

Today, we're taking a look back at the highlights from the first week of SkanFest. From Broadway by the Lake with Norm Lewis to two performances with the Pacifica Quartet - one featuring narrator Julia Figueras and another featuring Artistic Director Aaron Wunsch - it was the perfect way to kick off the season. 🙌

It's hard to believe this was already a month ago!🎼

09/01/2026

08/28/2026

Last Friday at del Lago: the Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens brought us all together through the universal language of music! ⭐️

08/25/2026

Reminiscing on our Festival Finale this past weekend with Cécile McLorin Salvant🎶

What an incredible season and the perfect way to close it out!👏🏻