Kingston Chamber Music Festival Spring Concert
Saturday, March 28th | 6:30pm (pre-concert performance 6pm)
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Kingston RI
This recital proudly showcases cellist Megan Koch, a member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, alongside talented local young musicians, creating a meaningful exchange between seasoned professional artistry and emerging voices. Together, they bring fresh perspective and shared musical passion to an evening that celebrates mentorship, collaboration, and the enduring power of chamber music.
The concert opens with Nadia Boulanger’s Three Pieces for Cello and Piano—intimate, refined works that reveal Boulanger’s unique elegance. These colorful miniatures set a contemplative and atmospheric tone. Gian Carlo Menotti’s Suite for Two Cellos and Piano is playful, dramatic, and irresistibly lyrical, Menotti’s suite is a vivid dialogue between the two cellos. The program culminates in one of the great pillars of the cello repertoire: Johannes Brahms’s Cello Sonata in E minor, Op. 38.
Featuring
Megan Koch, cello
Natalie Zhu, piano
and RIMEA All-State student principal cellist, Alejandro Quintero Cashore
Pre-concert performance at 6pm
There will be a pre-concert performance of the South Kingstown High School Honors Quartet. Megan Koch has been working with these students as part of the KCMF Strings Advancement Program through a RISCA grant this year. Please join us at 6:00 to hear what these students have accomplished.
38th Kingston Chamber Music Festival Season
Kingston Chamber Music Festival (KCMF) looks forward to presenting its 38th season, July 22 – August 2, 2026. Each summer, we celebrate the unique beauty of making music in the Ocean State, bringing world-class musicians together in Kingston for inspiring performances.
Kingston Chamber Music Festival (KCMF) concerts are presented on the beautiful University of Rhode Island campus in the historic village of Kingston-–a place that embodies the essence of combining history and innovation, cherishing tradition while moving forward with new ideas. Under the artistic direction of Natalie Zhu, we bring this same energy to classical music: Rather than solely featuring established ensembles whose identity is already known as a group, sometimes pieces are played by musicians who have never performed together before meeting in Kingston, and sometimes the pieces are played by musicians who perform together in larger ensembles and are thrilled to be with their colleagues in a more intimate environment. The audience gets to experience something fresh and lively, and the musicians get to have some fun.
Our patrons asked for upfront pricing with no hidden event fees and you got it! All fees are included in the ticket prices. Single concerts are just $40 a ticket. The 6 Concert Series Package includes a 10% discount for just $215. Tickets are free to students 25 years and younger with a student ID.Summer event tickets go on sale March 1st.
March 28, 2026 6:30pm | The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Kingston Chamber Music Festival Spring Concert This spring recital highlights the expressive range of the cello through an intimate program featuring works by Boulanger, Menotti, and Brahms. The concert reflects KCMF’s commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and the enduring power of chamber music.
July 24, 2026 7:30pm | Edwards Hall
Concert 1 – “250 Years–A Chamber Music Journey from 1776 to Modern America” This program traces the evolution of American musical identity from the late 18th century to the present, pairing foundational chamber works with contemporary voices. The concert offers a broad historical perspective on how tradition and innovation have shaped the nation’s chamber music legacy.
July 25, 2025 4:00pm | Edwards Hall
Concert 2 – “The British Are Coming” An exploration of British chamber music from the early 20th century, this program highlights works of emotional depth, lyricism, and dramatic intensity. The selected repertoire reflects the rich expressive range and historical context of British composers during a time of cultural and political upheaval.
July 26, 2026 4:00pm | Edwards Hall
Concert 3 – “Mozart and Britten” Framed by major anniversaries, this program examines legacy, influence, and artistic continuity through the music of Benjamin Britten and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The works presented reveal Britten’s reverence for the past while asserting his distinctive modern voice.
July 29, 2026 7:30pm | The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
Concert 4 – “Conversation with Bach” This solo recital explores the cello as a vehicle for clarity, structure, and introspection through music spanning the Baroque and modern eras. The program reflects a shared compositional discipline across centuries, emphasizing form, gesture, and expressive restraint.
July 31, 2026 7:30pm | Edwards Hall
Concert 5 – “Between Worlds” This adventurous program investigates the space between classical tradition and contemporary expression. Through contrasting works, the concert highlights how composers draw from folk, sacred, and modern influences to create music that bridges genres and cultural worlds.
August 1, 2026 7:30pm | Edwards Hall
Concert 6 – “Nightingale’s Encore” Blending storytelling and music, this program reflects on America’s musical heritage through personal narratives and short encore-style performances. Each musical selection serves as an extension of the stories, celebrating tradition, memory, and cultural exchange.
August 2, 2026 4:00pm | Edwards Hall
Concert 7 – “Youth and Memory” Focusing on a pivotal period in the mid-19th century, this program traces a composer’s journey from youthful intensity to mature introspection. The works reveal how personal experience, loss, and reflection are transformed into deeply expressive chamber music.
