Cape May Music Festival
A seaside celebration of classical and contemporary music since 1990
May 9-June 21, 2026
THE WESTMINSTER CHOIR
Saturday, May 9 at 7pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
Westminster Choir presents WCC@100:
The Westminster Choir Looks Forward
Donald Nally, conductor with Scott Dettra, organ
The Westminster Choir celebrates the college’s 100th anniversary with a program featuring distinguished alumni as conductor and organist and works from the rich history of choral music. Brahms, the height of the Romantic era, and Howells, the pinnacle of the English 20th-century Renaissance look back, while mystical minimalism is represented by its master Arvo Pärt in his iconic, Salve regina. Finally, a virtuosic contemporary work from American composer Stacy Garrop based on the writings of Lydia Davis; an exploration of aging, told through the metaphor of decay and dissolution in a house besieged.
THE ATLANTIC BRASS BAND
Sunday, May 24 at 7pm
Rotary Park
(rain location Cape May Convention Hall)
The internationally award-winning, 35-piece Atlantic Brass Band, under the baton of Salvatore Scarpa, returns to Cape May with an exciting new program of rousing band music, the perfect high note for Memorial Day Weekend. Co-sponsored by Cape May MAC and the City of Cape May.
Free admission.
BAY ATLANTIC SYMPHONY
Thursday, June 4: 7pm
The Episcopal Church of the Advent
Bay Atlantic Symphony presents “Song and Dance”
The Bay Atlantic Symphony performs Arthur Foote’s Serenade, Op. 25, Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor with violinist Ruotao Mao, and Isaac Albeniz’s España. The center of Bach’s violin concerto is a breathtakingly lyrical middle movement with a sweeping melody of spiritual dimensions, shared between the soloist and orchestra. It is bookended by jaunty movements, the last being a gigue (jig). American composer Arthur Foote’s Serenade sings to us with bucolic grace and rhapsody. Albéniz’s España takes us on a sensual tour of picturesque regions throughout Spain.
NEW YORK CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Saturday, June 6: 7pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
New York Chamber Ensemble presents “Classical Classics – Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven”
Featuring Artistic Director Eliot Bailen, cello, and Susan Rotholz, flute, the New York Chamber Ensemble presents some of classical music’s notable favorites: Flute Quartet in D Major, Op. 3, No. 5, by Franz Josef Haydn, String Quartet in D Major No. 21, K. 575 by W.A. Mozart and String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor, Op. 59, No. 2 by L. van Beethoven.
GEORGE MESTERHAZY
TRIBUTE CONCERT
“WANDERLUST”
Sunday, June 7: 7pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
Outstanding jazz musicians from near and far come for this once-a-year tradition that reignites joyful memories of a beloved and respected musician and friend, George Mesterhazy. Whether he knew you or just met you, George drew you in with his magnetism and talent. A renowned and distinguished jazz pianist, his generosity as a musician is legendary. He began his association with the festival in 2007 with an annual jazz concert devoted to music of the Great American Songbook, and since his passing in 2012, the festival continues his legacy. This year’s theme reflects the many ways music can transport us to so many beautiful places, both real and imaginary.
NEW YORK CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Thursday June 11: 7pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
New York Chamber Ensemble presents “Bartok, Rachmaninoff, Dohnanyi and Stravinsky: The Genius of American Immigrant Composers”
Featuring Margaret Kampmeier, piano and Alan Kay, clarinet
The New York Chamber Ensemble presents Trio Elegaique in G Minor by Rachmaninoff, Aria for Flute and Piano, Op. 48 by Dohnanyi, Histoire de Soldat for violin, clarinet and piano by Stravinsky, Suite Paysanne Hongroise for flute and piano by Bela Bartok, and Sextet, Op. 37 for clarinet, horn, strings and piano by Dohnanyi.
JAZZ BRUNCH
Saturday, June 13 at 11am
The Shore Club
Savor a delicious jazz brunch with Paula Johns at the phenomenal Shore Club. Paula is an accomplished cabaret singer and jazz vocalist who hails from Philadelphia. She is often compared to Ella Fitzgerald, and some of the great contemporaries of that era, but Paula brings her own distinctive panache to each song she sings, featuring songs from The Great American Songbook, including Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Jobim, Bacharach and others.
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY CHAMBER PLAYERS
Thursday, June 18 at 7pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
Symphony members Darryl Kubian, violin, Ming Yang, violin, David Blinn, viola, and Philo Lee, cello, form a string quintet to delight audiences with String Quartet in G Major, Op. 76, No. 1 by Joseph Haydn, Strum, by Jessie Montgomery, String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4 by Ludwig van Beethoven, and String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80 by Felix Mendelssohn.
BAY ATLANTIC SYMPHONY
Saturday, June 20: 7pm
The Episcopal Church of the Advent
Bay Atlantic Symphony presents “Loveletter, Lullabies, and Footstomps”
Gustav Mahler’s achingly expressive Adagietto is a love letter to his wife Alma. This hauntingly famous romance leads into an equally beautiful pastorale by Aaron Copland, which turns, on a dime, into a rhythmic jazzy stomp through the streets of Copland’s native New York. The virtuosic work was written for Benny Goodman. We embrace with open arms the various jaunty sounds of America in our second half with the Hoedown from Rodeo, Gershwin’s bluesy Lullaby, and fun-loving tunes by Leroy Anderson.
NEW YORK CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Sunday June 21: 7pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
New York Chamber Ensemble presents “The Music of Freedom – A Musical Celebration of the 250th”
Featuring Paul Woodiel, violinist, fiddler and raconteur, and other special guests
The New York Chamber Ensemble presents a musical program with special guests to celebrate our founding fathers and the nation’s 250th anniversary — on Father’s Day! Join us as we celebrate the music of freedom and honor this decisive moment in history.
Classical Cape May 2025-26 Season
Announcing the 2025-26 Classical Cape May season. We are excited to be expanding to seven months of concerts! Cape May MAC is again sponsoring the season; their donation covers the fees that we pay to our artists. All Classical Cape May programs are free and take place at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, at Franklin and Washington Streets in Cape May. Concerts are one hour long with a reception afterwards for the audience to meet the artists.
Perfect Harmony
February 8, 2026 at 4pm
Christopher and Karen DiSanto, clarinets, Piang Liang, bassoon
Join us for a program of rich and colorful chamber music featuring clarinetists Christopher DiSanto and Karen DiSanto and bassoonist Ping Liang, all members of the Bay Atlantic Symphony. This talented trio brings warmth, virtuosity, and a deep musical connection to the stage. Their program will feature an engaging mix of repertoire including works by Mozart, Beethoven, Stravinsky and others.
Let’s Hear from Your Directors
March 8, 2026 at 4pm
Brenda Leonard, cello; Robert Bullington, baritone, Noriko Schneiderman, piano.
Classical Cape May co-directors Brenda Leonard and Robert Bullington are joined by pianist Noriko Schneiderman for an afternoon of chamber music. The program includes Sergei Prokofiev’s deeply expressive Cello Sonata and a selection of art songs, showcasing the creative spirit at the heart of Classical Cape May.
Encore: Mostly Motets
April 12, 2026 at 4pm
Mostly Motets Chamber Choir
We close our season on with a return performance by Mostly Motets, a chamber choir featuring singers from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Known for their expressive blend and elegant interpretations, the group offers a program of vocal works spanning centuries and styles. Whether Renaissance polyphony or contemporary gems, Mostly Motets brings clarity, warmth, and precision to every performance—an intimate and inspiring finale to our season.
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