Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival: New Executive Director

Paul Schwendener

Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, founded by the pianist Samuel Sanders in 1979, announces the appointment of Paul Schwendener as Executive Director. Schwendener begins work on June 1, 2021. Elaine Lipton, who held the position since 2006, announced her retirement earlier this year. She will continue as Executive Director Emeritus through August, seeing the festival through its 2021 season.

 

“It is an honor to carry on the great tradition of this Festival, and I am delighted to work together with Elaine, the Board, and with Artistic Directors Jon Nakamatsu and Jon Manasse to ensure a smooth transition back to concert life in these challenging times,” said Schwendener.

CCCMF Board President David Farer said: “We are fortunate to have Paul on board as our new Executive Director. The Festival is already benefitting from Paul’s experience and insights. The synergies we see among Paul, Jon and Jon, Elaine and with the Board are exciting and inspiring.”

This summer, Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival brings live chamber music back to the community after presenting a virtual season in 2020. August 3 – 13, 2021, CCCMF presents concerts in iconic venues across the Cape, at the historic First Congregational Church in Wellfleet, the Cotuit Center for the Arts and the picturesque Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor’s Center. Details are at capecodchambermusic.org.

Audiences enjoying a concert in the beautiful historic First Congregational Church (est. 1721) in Wellfleet, MA

From 2011 to 2021, Schwendener served as Executive Director of the All-Star Orchestra, an ensemble comprised of top players from major American orchestras that has produced five seasons of public television programs, winning seven Emmy® awards. The All-Star Orchestra has also created extensive music educational content and lessons for the Khan Academy, providing free instruction to over six million students.

 

Over a 30-year career in the classical music recording industry, Schwendener has been instrumental in producing and marketing hundreds of recordings with leading artists and ensembles, including the Complete Mozart Edition (180 CDs) for Philips Classics and the Milken Archive of Jewish Music (600 recordings.)

 

Schwendener is a Governor of the National Arts Club in New York City, and as co-chair of the Music Committee has programmed multiple seasons of chamber music concerts. Born in Michigan, Schwendener studied at the Eastman School of Music and at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna where he also performed with the Choral Union of the Vienna Philharmonic for several years.

Hailed by The New York Times as “A Triumph of Quality,” the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival (CCCMF) has been a presenter of chamber music and a major contributor to the cultural life of Cape Cod since its inception in 1979. The Festival was founded by the late Samuel Sanders with a goal was to establish a continuous presence of first-rate chamber music concerts on Cape Cod. As the Festival enters its 42^nd season, it excels under the leadership of its Artistic Directors, the team of Jon Manasse (clarinetist) and Jon Nakamatsu (pianist), both acclaimed musicians who represent the top ranks of American chamber music. Together with CCCMF staff, an active Board of Directors and more than 60 local volunteers they bring a stellar mosaic of talent to the Cape. In addition to its annual summer season of concerts, community and school outreach programs and an annual benefit in New York, it partners with local cultural organizations for educational programs and fundraising.

 

For more information about Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival’s 2021 season, performers, mission and venues, visit capecodchambermusic.org, or follow Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival on Facebook.