For half a century, summer in Boulder has meant world-class classical music beneath the iconic wooden roof of Chautauqua Auditorium. This year, the Colorado Music Festival is celebrating that milestone with its 50th anniversary season, bringing internationally acclaimed musicians, celebrated guest artists and special performances to the historic venue from July 9 through Aug. 9.
Founded in 1976, the Colorado Music Festival has grown into one of the country’s premier summer classical music festivals. Each season, more than 100 professional musicians from leading orchestras across North America come together to form the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, performing alongside internationally renowned soloists and conductors in Boulder. Under the artistic leadership of music director Peter Oundjian, the festival has continued to balance beloved masterworks with contemporary compositions and world premieres.
“In our 2026 season, the stars align as we celebrate four incredible milestones: the festival’s 50th, the Center for Musical Arts’ 30th, Colorado’s 150th and our country’s 250th anniversaries,” says Oundjian. “We’re pulling out all the stops to honor these occasions and to step into our future with pride, optimism and exceptional music.”
The anniversary season reflects that approach, pairing audience favorites with exciting new music and some of classical music’s biggest names.
The festival opens July 9 and 10 with what promises to be one of the season’s most talked-about performances. Violin sensation Himari, who recently made her debut with the Berlin Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, performs Sibelius’ technically demanding “Violin Concerto.” At just 15 years old, Himari has already established herself as one of classical music’s brightest rising stars.
“Do not miss this opportunity to witness her playing,” says Oundjian. “It’s impossible to imagine the brilliance and majesty she possesses at this tender age.”
The opening concerts also feature the world premiere of a new work by Boulder composer Carter Pann, written in honor of longtime festival supporter Ralph “Chris” Christoffersen, along with Tchaikovsky’s stirring “Symphony No. 5.”
Throughout the month, audiences can hear performances by acclaimed artists making their Colorado Music Festival debuts, including superstar pianist Yuja Wang, who joins the orchestra July 16 and 17 for Samuel Barber’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Piano Concerto.”
Other highlights include pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii performing Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” as part of a program featuring Holst’s “The Planets” on July 30 and 31, a world premiere by Boulder native composer Leigha Amick and pianist Michelle Cann performing the world premiere of a concerto by composer Valerie Coleman on August 6 and 7.
Guest conductors also take the podium throughout the season, including six-time Grammy Award winner and Nashville Symphony music director Leonard Slatkin, who leads an all-American program featuring Copland’s “Rodeo” and Corigliano’s “Chaconne from The Red Violin,” played by Njioma Grevious, on July 23 and 24. Slatkin will also lead a conducting workshop on July 24 at Chautauqua.
Former Colorado Symphony music director Jeffrey Kahane returns July 19 to conduct all six of Bach’s beloved “Brandenburg Concertos.” On August 2, Gemma New, principal conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, leads a program featuring clarinet virtuoso Ricardo Morales performing Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto,” Rossini’s challenging “Introduction, Theme and Variations” and Ravel’s beloved Ma mère l’oye (“Mother Goose”) suite.
Chamber music fans can enjoy performances by two internationally acclaimed ensembles: Canadian Brass and the Danish String Quartet, which returns to Boulder by popular demand. On July 14, the legendary Canadian Brass brings its signature blend of virtuosity and humor to a program spanning Bizet’s “Carmen;” works by Mozart, Bach and Brahms; and arrangements of songs by The Beatles and Coldplay. Then, on Augugust 4, the audience-favorite Danish String Quartet returns to the festival with a program featuring music by Mozart, Shostakovich and Ravel.
The festival also continues its tradition of making classical music accessible to audiences of all ages. A free Family Concert on July 12 features Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” in both English and Spanish, followed by a Family Lawn Fair offered in partnership with the Chautauqua Association. Youth tickets are just $15 for guests 18 and under, as well as students with a current school ID.
The season concludes August 9 with one of the grandest works in the orchestral repertoire: Mahler’s “Symphony No. 3,” conducted by Oundjian.
Whether you’re a longtime subscriber or attending your first performance, the Colorado Music Festival’s 50th anniversary season offers an opportunity to experience exceptional music in one of Colorado’s most beloved cultural settings. Tickets start at $31, with performances taking place at historic Chautauqua Auditorium throughout July and early August.
“We extend a warm welcome to you to come experience the opening of our anniversary celebrations with this epic program,” says Oundjian.
2026 Colorado Music Festival Season Highlights
July 12, Free Family Concert — This free event features Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” offered in both English and Spanish. A Family Lawn Fair in partnership with the Chautauqua Association follows the performance.
July 14, Canadian Brass — The world-renowned brass quintet performs selections from Bizet’s Carmen, plus works by Mozart, Bach, Brahms, The Beatles and Coldplay.
July 16 and 17, Festival Orchestra — Pianist Yuja Wang makes her festival debut with Barber’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Piano Concerto,” plus Oundjian conducts Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances” from “West Side Story.”
July 19, Festival Orchestra — Former Colorado Symphony music director Jeffrey Kahane leads all six of Bach’s celebrated “Brandenburg Concertos.”
July 23 and 24, Festival Orchestra — Six-time Grammy Award-winning conductor and music director of the Nashville Symphony, Leonard Slatkin conducts an all-American program, including Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo” and John Corigliano’s “Chaconne from The Red Violin,” played by Njioma Grevious. Slatkin will also lead a conducting workshop on July 24 at Chautauqua.
July 26, Festival Orchestra — Pianist Tony Siqi Yun performs Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 20” in an all-Mozart concert, which also includes the composer’s Haffner
July 30 and 31, Festival Orchestra — Music director Peter Oundjian helms one of music’s grandest spectacles: Holst’s “The Planets.” Cliburn Gold Medal-winning pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii performs Rachmaninoff’s “Second Piano Concerto,” and the program begins with a world premiere by composer Leigha Amick, a Boulder native.
August 2, Festival Orchestra — Philadelphia Orchestra principal clarinetist Ricardo Morales performs Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto” as well as Rossini’s challenging “Introduction, Theme and Variations.” The program, conducted by Gemma New, concludes with Ravel’s beloved Ma mère l’oye (“Mother Goose”) suite.
August 4, Danish String Quartet — By audience request, the Danish String Quartet returns to CMF with a program of Mozart, Shostakovich and Ravel.
August 6 and 7, Festival Orchestra — Pianist Michelle Cann returns to perform the world premiere of a concerto by composer Valerie Coleman, and the evening concludes with Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique.
August 9, Festival Orchestra Season Finale — Music director Peter Oundjian closes this landmark season with Mahler’s Third Symphony.
