Meet our New Artistic Director!

Manchester Music Festival is pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Setzer as Artistic Director, succeeding Adam Neiman.  In addition to being a founding member of the world-renowned Emerson String Quartet, Phil serves as Distinguished Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at SUNY-Stony Brook, Visiting Professor of Violin and Artistic Director of Strings at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Director of the Shouse Institute of the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.

Lou Zellner, MMF Board Chair, said, “Phil brings to us the very best the chamber music world has to offer. His reputation is stellar, his approach to programming is creative, his relationships in the industry are without peer, and his passions for education and community engagement are contagious.” She continued, “With Phil’s hire, and Betsy Bleakie as Executive Director, our leadership team is complete, and the Board is excited for what the future holds for MMF and the greater community.”

After more than four decades of performing together, the Emerson String Quartet is currently on a worldwide farewell tour, and as he begins this new phase of his career Setzer reflected, “I am thrilled and inspired to devote my time and energy to build upon the strong foundation of Manchester Music Festival.”  He continued, “In a world grappling with serious problems, music has always been something to raise us up, move us, educate us, challenge us, and help us enjoy and deepen our life's experience.  I will do everything in my power to help bring that joy to the beautiful town of Manchester, Vermont.” 

Greetings from Philip Setzer, the new Artistic Director of the Manchester Music Festival.

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW ON SALE

The Emerson String Quartet, heralded as “America’s greatest quartet” by Time Magazine, will kick off MMF’s 49th Season this summer, with a Vermont-exclusive farewell tour concert, on June 29, 2023, in the Arkell Pavilion, at Southern Vermont Arts Center.  Season 49 will also see the return of festival-favorite performers, fresh faces, and plenty of new experiences for our audiences to enjoy. 

Subscription packages are now available!  As a subscriber, you receive a number of great benefits, including:

  • Discounted pricing off single tickets

  • Invitation to attend exclusive Subscriber-Only, Meet the Artists receptions

  • Prior subscribers: your same seats are guaranteed year after year for as long as you subscribe

  • New subscribers: advance opportunity to reserve better seats before tickets are released to the public

  • Program notes delivered by email in advance of the Festival Season

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