Cooperstown Summer Music Festival 2025: Music, Magic & Midsummer Vibes
2025 · Concert · Events · Festival · New York City · Things To Do
If you’re up for a mix of intimate performances, world-class ensembles, and that warm small-town charm, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is your spot this summer. Now entering its 27th season, the festival runs from July 21 to August 21, 2025, offering five evenings of eclectic, genre-blending concerts around Cooperstown, NY—including at gorgeous venues like Fenimore Farm and Christ Church.
Season Highlights
- July 21 – American String Quartet + Linda Chesis & Daniel Avshalomov” They’ll open the festival at Fenimore Farm, performing Mozart’s Prussian Quartet (K. 589), Charles Bordes’ Suite Basque, and Brahms’ viola quintet—an elegant evening of chamber music.
- July 30 – The Queen’s Cartoonists: This isn’t your usual chamber ensemble. Picture live jazz musicians scoring vintage and contemporary animation in real time—think Fantasia, but with a four-piece musical circus twist.
- August 4 – Twelfth Night: Grand Tour: Baroque specialist Rachell Ellen Wong teams up with early-music pros to deliver Biber, Bach, Tartini’s awe-inspiring “Devil’s Trill,” and more in a candlelit church setting.
- August 13 – Caroga Arts Ensemble: Forgotten Sounds: An atmospheric, almost archaeological concert delving into a 127‑year‑old Loeffler octet reconstructed from Library of Congress manuscripts, plus works by Debussy, Poulenc, Ravel—performed amidst bucolic surroundings.
- August 21 – Etienne Charles: Creole Soul: A vibrant season finale featuring Trinidad-born trumpeter Etienne Charles leading a sextet through Caribbean-tinged jazz infused with African diaspora rhythms—an energetic closer at Fenimore Farm.
Why It’s Worth the Trip
- Local charm meets top-tier music: The festival brings top ensembles—like the Grammy-winning Attacca and American String Quartets. A gift to bring them to intimate venues, opening up big‑city sound in a relaxed, community vibe.
- Eclectic and joyful: From classical heavyweights to animated jazz spectacles and Caribbean grooves, each concert feels unique. An invitation to explore music in a fresh, unexpected way.
- Easygoing setup: All shows begin at 7 pm. Giving you time for a lakeside dinner, museum visit, or stroll through charming downtown Cooperstown beforehand!
Tips to Get the Most Out of It
| Tip | Why It Matters |
| Reserve tickets early | They range from US $15–150, and popular nights (like The Queen’s Cartoonists) tend to sell out via Purplepass. |
| Showcase your summer | Sessions are spread across venues—Fenimore Farm or Christ Church—so plan your travel accordingly. |
| Arrive early | Soak up the lawn vibe, maybe grab a drink, park without stress—make it a full summer evening. |
The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival isn’t just another concert series—it blends extraordinary music with summer magic. Whether you’re a classical aficionado, a jazz lover, or simply in the mood for something refreshingly different, these five thoughtfully curated nights offer more than music—they’re milestones in a summer to remember.
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