July 28-August 5: Cassatt Quartet at Seal Bay Festival

Press Contact:
Gail Wein - (646) 484-9691
ClassicalCommunications@gmail.com

The Cassatt String Quartet performs across coastal Maine, returning to Seal Bay Festival of American Music

23rd season runs July 28-August 5 with quartet and special guests performing concerts in Vinalhaven, Belfast, and Portland

Plus free community concerts September 13-15

The world-renowned Cassatt String Quartet performs in Maine as the longtime core ensemble of the Seal Bay Festival of American Chamber Music. From Portland to Belfast and Vinalhaven, the quartet is joined by world-renowned pianist Steven Beck for public performances, workshops, and a recording session with emerging composers.

The festival's 23rd season runs July 28 through August 5 and also features informal concerts in community centers across the state from September 13 to 15. Details are in the calendar listing below.

At four of the concerts, composers present personal introductions to their music. The 2026 season's resident composers are: Victoria Bond, Daniel Sonenberg, and Cody Forrest, plus returning composers Daniel Strong Godfrey, Shirish Korde, and Vineet Shende.

The four main concerts are: August 1 and 2 on Vinalhaven, August 4 in Belfast at the historic 1912 Colonial Theatre, and August 5 at the Portland Conservatory of Music. Each program includes works both by resident composers and by fellows of the Seal Bay Festival's Composer Institute. Highlights include performances of Victoria Bond's new piano quintet, "New York Nocturne," Joan Tower's "For Jeff, with Love" (both commissioned by the Cassatt String Quartet), the world premiere of Cody Forrest's "Sea Change” for solo piano, Caroline Shaw's "Entr'acte," Daniel Sonenberg's “11 Minute Fantasy” for solo piano, and more. Full program details below.

Seal Bay Festival 2026 Season Details

August 1, 7 pm: Concert to Benefit Partners in Island Education

Smith-Hokanson Recital Hall, Vinalhaven School (22 Arcola Ln, Vinalhaven)
with guest pianist Steven Beck
Aaron Copland: "Hoedown" from Rodeo
Jay Unger: Ashokan Farewell
Florence Price: Selections from Five folksongs in counterpoint
Daniel Sonenberg: 11 minute fantasy
Victoria Bond: New York Nocturne (2026 premiere preview)

August 2, 7 pm: Seal Bay Festival Concert in Vinalhaven

Smith-Hokanson Recital Hall, Vinalhaven School (22 Arcola Ln, Vinalhaven)
with guest pianist Steven Beck

Hayden Byrne: Rheidity (world premiere)
Shirish Korde: Evening Raga-Nocturne
Cody Forrest: Sea Change (world premiere)
Daniel Sonenberg: 11 minute fantasy
Joan Tower: For Jeff, with Love

August 4, 7 pm: Seal Bay Festival Concert in Belfast

Colonial Theatre (163 High St, Belfast)

Shirish Korde: Evening Raga-Nocturne
Joshua Amir: Echo of a Vengeful Turn (world premiere)
Qiming Liu: Afterward (world premiere)
Zaki Andoh: The Flying Machine (world premiere)
Xinrui Zhang: Who is the Winner (world premiere)
Caroline Shaw: Entr'acte
Joan Tower: For Jeff, with Love

August 5, 7 pm: Seal Bay Festival Concert in Portland

Portland Conservatory of Music (28 Neal St, Portland)

Shirish Korde: Evening Raga-Nocturne
Cody Forrest: Sea Change
Daniel Sonenberg: 11 minute fantasy
Joan Tower: For Jeff, with Love
Victoria Bond: New York Nocturne

Additional community concerts:

August 1, 10 am & 1 pm: Vinalhaven Library (Vinalhaven)
August 3, 2:30 pm: Avita Retirement Community (Brunswick)
August 3, 4:30 pm: White Residence (Brunswick)
September 13, 2 pm: 75 State Street (Portland)
September, 13, 4 pm: Village Square (Gorham)
September 14, 2:30 pm: Thornton Oaks (Brunswick)
September 14, 4:15 pm: Highlands Retirement Community (Topsham)
September 14, 2 pm: Atrium at the Cedars, Portland