2026 Festival Details
The Chamber Music Festival of Lexington, now operating as Chamber Music Lex, today announced details of its nineteenth season, with formal performances, free public appearances, and educational work with students in Lexington this August. Native Lexingtonian and Artistic Director Zach Brock, along with co-founder and Lexingtonian Nathan Cole, will join CMFL musicians Burchard Tang; viola, and Kuang-Hao Huang; piano, for our 9-day festival. Some of these musicians inaugurated this festival in 2007 and have graced the Lexington arts community with world-class chamber music programs and performances year after year, along with incredible guest artists. This year, Mike Block — cellist and composer — will serve as both our Artist and Composer-in-Residence, and Lexington favorites Margie Karp, Benjamin Karp and Paul Reich will join in the music-making.
We are thrilled to feature members of the Lexington Chamber Orchestra as our Ensemble-in-Residence this season. This quartet of musicians, which includes LCO concert master Margie Karp, violinist Madison Jones, violist Tze-Ying Wu and cellist Yoonie Choi, will appear throughout the community in pop-up performances and provide hands-on performances and educational work with underserved students in Lexington.
Friday
LCO quartet Ensemble-in-Residence performances for Fayette County Public School students
August 21
Saturday
August 22
Free pop-up performances:
LCO quartet Ensemble-in-Residence — Locations to be announced
Sunday
August 23
5:00 pm
Fundraiser at the Apiary
Festival Kickoff and Fundraiser with Zach Brock and friends at the Apiary
The Apiary – 218 Jefferson Street Lexington, KY
$100 donation – cash bar and light snacks
Tuesday
August 25
7:00 pm
Cabaret at Equus Run Vineyards
with Artistic Director Zach Brock – violin, Artistic Director Emeritus Nathan Cole – violin, Burchard Tang – viola, and Kuang-Hao Huang – piano.
Equus Run - 1280 Moore’s Mill Rd, Midway, KY 40347
$30 cover at the door, wine, and light snacks available for purchase so plan to nosh while you enjoy the music!
Dvorak: Terzetto, Introducing: Allegro ma non troppo
Bartok: Duos (with extemporization) — Zach and Nathan
Additional selections
Thursday
August 27
7:30 pm
First Main Stage Concert
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, featuring Artist and Composer-in-Residence Mike Block. He will be joined by Director Emeritus Nathan Cole — violin, Burchard Tang — viola, and Kuang-Hao Huang — piano. Adults $45 advance, $50 door; Students with ID $15 at door; children 12 years and under free!
Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia
Copland: Violin Sonata
Saint-Saëns: Allegro Appassionato
Saint-Saëns: The Swan
Rachmaninov: Sonata, Mvt. 3
Vivaldi: Sonata No. 6
Friday
August 29
7:30 pm
Second Main Stage Concert
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, featuring Director Emeritus Nathan Cole — violin, Burchard Tang — viola, Kuang-Hao Huang — piano, and Artist and Composer in Residence Mike Block — cello. Adults $45 advance, $50 door; Students with ID $15 at door; children 12 and under free!
Amy Beach: Three Pieces
Beethoven: G Major Trio, Op. 9 No. 1
Brahms: B Major Trio
Saturday
August 28
7:30 pm
Final Main Stage Concert
Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, featuring Director Emeritus Nathan Cole — violin, Burchard Tang — viola, Kuang-Hao Huang — piano, and Artist and Composer in Residence Mike Block — cello. Adults $45 advance, $50 door; Students with ID $15 at door; children 12 and under free!
Paganini: 11
Tchaikovsky: Valse Scherzo
Mozart: B-Flat (Violin/Viola)
Mike Block: “Hope on the Hill” (World Premiere)
Photos by Sally Horowitz & Cacey Nardolillo
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or giving an individual gift, please contact us via email or through the link below.
THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL!