Taos School of Music Announces 2020 Chamber Music Festival is Postponed

(Taos, New Mexico) Taos School of Music has postponed its 58^thannual Chamber Music Festival and teaching program, which was previously scheduled to take place from June 21 to August 9, 2020 in the alpine setting of Taos Ski Valley. This is the first time, since the school was founded in 1963, that a season has been delayed. The nineteen young masters who were selected to participate in this year’s summer program have been invited to come instead in 2021.

“A series of events, from the self-isolation requirements for all those entering New Mexico and the Taos Ski Valley to the cancellation of our primary performing venues and access to lodging for our students and faculty, led to the decision to postpone the school for a year. Another big concern was for the health and safety of our students, faculty, and especially our concertgoers and supporters,” said Elizabeth Baker, Executive Director of Taos School of Music.

This year’s cohort of young masters include violinists, violists, cellists and pianists. Each one auditioned either in person or by video and represent the best of their peer group. Collectively they come from seven major music schools: Yale, Juilliard, New England Conservatory, Curtis, Northwestern, Eastman, and Rice. Baker said the group was invited to participate in 2021 without having to re-audition.

“We wanted them to have something positive to focus on by inviting them back next year,” Baker explained.  

In a gesture of support, Baker said that the Taos School of Music will continue to pay their faculty musicians for the 2020 season. The school is also developing a plan for a “virtual festival” from June 21 through August 9, 2020 to feature encore performances by the young masters and recordings of the faculty. For more information on this project, visit the school’s website in late May, taosschoolofmusic.com.