The Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival begins on July 29 with a free community concert by Genghis Barbie, the all-female horn experience, at 5:30 PM at the Federated Church of Hyannis, 320 Main Street, Hyannis. The Festival runs through August 22, 2025, with ten live performances in five venues across Cape Cod.
Genghis Barbie performs songs by everyone from Queen to Chappell Roan, Stevie Wonder to Demi Lovato, and the Beach Boys to the Eurythmics. Balancing individual careers in symphony orchestras in addition to a busy New York City performing schedule, the women of Genghis Barbie have performed at multiple International Horn Society Symposiums, premiered a solo commission at Carnegie Hall, and appeared on “America’s Got Talent.” No tickets are needed for Downtown with Genghis Barbie: The All-Female Horn Experience <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/downtown-with-genghis-barbie-the-all-female-horn-experience-a-free-community-concert/> , which is supported by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod.
On Sunday, August 10, at 5:00 PM, the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Benefit <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/cape-cod-chamber-music-festival-benefit/> will take place at the Belmont Beach Club in West Harwich. This waterfront gathering with Festival friends and musicians will feature a performance by Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Artistic Directors Jon Manasse, clarinet, and Jon Nakamatsu, piano. The event will include buffet stations and hearty passed hors d’oeuvres, as well as wine and soft drinks. Proceeds will support the Festival’s mission to present the finest classical and contemporary chamber music by both world-class ensembles and exceptional young emerging artists to Cape Cod audiences.
“We rely on community support to bring incredible musicians to Cape Cod every summer,“ said Executive Director Andrea Meagher. She added, “Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu do an amazing job of curating a terrific program of concerts for the Festival, and we’re fortunate to have them play at not only our Festival Benefit, but also multiple concerts this season.”
The 2025 Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival includes the return of two popular award-winning ensembles, the Claremont Trio at the Cotuit Center for the Arts and the Parker Quartet in Chatham, as well as the debut of the GRAMMY® Award-winning Catalyst Quartet in Falmouth and Wellfleet. Two-time GRAMMY® Award nominee violinist Jennifer Frautschi joins Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu for a concert in Chatham, and the three will also perform in Wellfleet with other “New York All-Stars.”
The Festival features a night of jazz at the Cotuit Center for the Arts, led by Dan Block, faculty member of the Juilliard Jazz Studies program, performing music from Count Basie and Gerry Mulligan, among others. To conclude the Festival, renowned string players join Manasse, Nakamatsu, and Manasse’s clarinetist son Alec Manasse for two concerts in Falmouth and Wellfleet.
New: Jung-Ho Pak at Falmouth Concert on August 7
Special guest Jung-Ho Pak, former Artistic Director & Conductor of the Cape Symphony, will join the Catalyst Quartet <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/unity-through-music-we-are-the-catalyst/> concert at Falmouth Academy on Thursday, August 7 at 5:30 PM to speak about the Quartet's vision for classical music and to lead a talkback after the concert.
Retiring this spring after eight seasons leading the Bay Philharmonic in Fresno, California, Pak has over 35 years of experience conducting acclaimed professional and conservatory orchestras around the world. Pak is a frequent speaker on television and radio, including TED Talks and National Public Radio, and appears as a clinician and conductor at major music festivals nationwide.
The Catalyst Quartet <https://capecodchambermusic.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a460aab633e31ec821c0f66f2&id=1fea7f4ff6&e=7f7b1a7df7> (Karla Donehew Perez, violin; Abi Fayette, violin; Paul Laraia, viola; and Karlos Rodriguez, cello) has a specific vision for their work. The Quartet said, “We believe in unity that can be achieved through music and imagine their programs and projects with this in mind, redefining and reimagining the classical music experience.” These beliefs fully align with Jung-Ho’s approach.
Pak said, “The Catalyst Quartet is playing with a purpose to make the world a better place, as well as trying to create a new space for classical music. This resonates with me, and I look forward to talking to the audience about these talented and ambitious musicians.”
Tickets for Unity Through Music: We are the Catalyst <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/unity-through-music-we-are-the-catalyst/> featuring special guest Jung-Ho Pak are available here <https://capecodchambermusic.easy-ware-ticketing.com/generaladmission/kywp2AxIDwFdks3ovNuIPQ> .
New: Post-Concert Dinners
In 2025, the Festival is offering post-concert dinners after three of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival concerts. This special opportunity is available for an additional donation of $100 per person ($70 of which is tax deductible).
The three private buffet-style dinners, with wine and soft drinks, will be held in the homes of Festival friends following the performances of:
Popular Demand: The Return of the Claremont Trio <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/popular-demand-the-return-of-the-claremont-trio/> at the Cotuit Center for the Arts on Tuesday, August 5. Join the musicians for a private dinner in East Sandwich <https://capecodchambermusic.easy-ware-ticketing.com/eventsByMovie/A000000350> .
Music for 6 and 7: Many Instruments, Extraordinary Sounds <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/music-for-6-and-7-many-instruments-extraordinary-sounds/> at the First Congregational Church of Wellfleet on Friday, August 15. Join the musicians and Artistic Directors Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu for a private dinner in Wellfleet <https://capecodchambermusic.easy-ware-ticketing.com/eventsByMovie/A000000352> .
Agile Virtuosity: Parker Quartet <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/agile-virtuosity-parker-quartet/> at the First Congregational Church of Chatham on Tuesday, August 19. Join the musicians and Artistic Directors for a private dinner in Harwich Port <https://capecodchambermusic.easy-ware-ticketing.com/generaladmission/w6rurQy1VSLHRBl9TD3POA> .
Seating is limited for these post-concert dinners. Tickets are available at https://capecodchambermusic.org/post-concert-dinners/ <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcapecodchambermusic.org%2Fpost-concert-dinners%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYXJlSUlXeUZBQkZpTHBFUQEeE82FpRwHWE7DJxSvQJ4Nm5cTtV3uMRylK7RDWUlaKgntqpLporewNl2GDPs_aem_4wWTnTPsP01wb4G53QJ1Hw&h=AT1RzpvtraM5bBqDqu_8i0jyHamPwG1h7OpzNrO4ip18kCU6AvQmdus68pcycF9ELjkUnx_c_ilMnR4JNlvtXXG08achq7F71T3u9LE2S278wSqN_sb8NTXuxeUKLelNUGeHDEvPPj3651r89zZCyiyf-azLKg&__tn__=-UK-R&c%5b0%5d=AT03GCQS7hVj8iGeQV_Ozfrlw-SAaTFOFqmLtPNHuUjMsmUt11M64MYQglJxOV8-s2MFpEyUNbTDTrNHS_2xab8OzDlLMktHCQrWLcv_fGJ-3VspvIau3Ad3YG-neWCDQ-hZMGfFLkttQBKn40eAzNRasipZJF-VQliA6zPruqTLbaLDgtplnRx2TjT_wArzh3tcz9EDLDYVl14M8XblPEnpYUZk>
New: Free Open Rehearsal and Musical Story Time
A free open rehearsal for the August 21 and 22 concerts, “Phenomenon: Two Manasses, One Nakamatsu & More,” is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20 at the Dennis Union Church <https://www.duchurch.org/> from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. The musicians at the rehearsal will be Jon Nakamatsu, piano; Kobi Malkin, violin; Grace Park, violin; Danielle Farina, viola; Brook Speltz, cello; and Pawel Knapik, bass. They will rehearse Franz Schubert’s Quintet in A Major (known as the “Trout”). The two concerts will be held at the Simon Center for the Arts, Falmouth Academy, 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth on Thursday, August 21 <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/phenomenon-two-manasses-one-nakamatsu-more/> and at the First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, 200 Main Street, Wellfleet on Friday, August 22 <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/phenomenon-two-manasses-one-nakamatsu-more-469/> . All are welcome to attend the open rehearsal on August 20, and no tickets are required.
A free family-friendly “Musical Story Time” is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13 at 1:00 PM at the First Congregational Church of Chatham <https://www.chathamcongregational.org/> . Artistic Directors Jon Nakamatsu, piano, and Jon Manasse, clarinet, will perform and musically based stories will be read. The Musical Story Time is in collaboration with Where the Sidewalk Ends Bookstore and Children’s Annex <https://www.booksonthecape.com/> . All are welcome and no tickets are required.
“We’re excited to offer free opportunities for everyone to experience the excitement of these fantastic musicians performing at the top of their game,” said Meagher. “It’s wonderful to collaborate with our community partners to present this additional programming during the Festival.”
2025 Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Concerts
All 2025 Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival concerts begin at 5:30 PM. Performances are approximately 75 minutes in length with no intermission. The complete schedule is below and available at capecodchambermusic.org <https://capecodchambermusic.org/> .
Downtown with Genghis Barbie: The All-Female Horn Experience <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/downtown-with-genghis-barbie-the-all-female-horn-experience-a-free-community-concert/>
A Free Community Concert
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Federated Church of Hyannis, 320 Main Street, Hyannis
Genghis Barbie
Alana Vegter: “Freedom Barbie”
Danielle Kuhlmann: “Velvet Barbie”
Julie Thayer: “Tiger Barbie”
Rachel Drehmann: “Attila the Horn”
The Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival presents a free community concert in Hyannis! Genghis Barbie performs songs by everyone from Queen to Chappell Roan, Stevie Wonder to Demi Lovato, and the Beach Boys to the Eurythmics. The French horn quartet is described as the most versatile and expansive group on New York City’s classical/pop/rock/jazz/indie/alternative/punk/electro-acoustic scene. And they sing, too!
Genghis Barbie was conceived in a unique moment of ingenuity when Freedom Barbie, Tiger Barbie, Velvet Barbie, and Attila the Horn converged and vowed to create distinctive, interactive, and personal performances. Balancing individual careers in symphony orchestras in addition to their busy New York City performing schedule, the ladies of Genghis Barbie have performed at multiple International Horn Society Symposiums, premiered a solo commission at Carnegie Hall, and appeared on “America's Got Talent.”
The Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival will present this concert free to the community. All are welcome and no tickets are required.
Popular Demand: The Return of the Claremont Trio <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/popular-demand-the-return-of-the-claremont-trio/>
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road, Cotuit
Claremont Trio
Emily Bruskin, violin
Julia Bruskin, cello
Sophiko Simsive, piano
Returning to the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival by popular demand, the award-winning Claremont Trio originally formed in 1999 at The Juilliard School, but twin sisters Emily and Julia Bruskin grew up playing together in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Pianist Sophiko Simsive recently joined them and the three women of the Claremont Trio, named after Claremont Avenue in New York City, continue to have remarkable success with their thrillingly virtuosic and richly communicative performances. Strad Magazine said, “The Claremont Trio can justifiably be considered one of America’s finest young chamber groups.”
The Claremont Trio commissioned Syrian composer Kinan Azmeh to create his new piece Gravitas and will premiere the work at festivals across the US this year, including ours! The program also includes works by Gabriel Fauré and Johannes Brahms.
Following the performance of “Popular Demand: The Return of the Claremont Trio” at the Cotuit Center for the Arts, join the musicians for a private dinner in the home of a Festival friend in Sandwich. Seating is limited; purchase tickets <https://capecodchambermusic.easy-ware-ticketing.com/eventsByMovie/A000000350> .
Unity Through Music: We are the Catalyst <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/unity-through-music-we-are-the-catalyst/>
Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Simon Center for the Arts, Falmouth Academy, 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth
Friday, August 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, 200 Main Street, Wellfleet
Catalyst Quartet
Abi Fayette, violin
Karla Donehew Perez, violin
Paul Laraia, viola
Karlos Rodriguez, cello
The young stars of the Grammy® Award-winning Catalyst Quartet make their debut with the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival! Together, they believe in the unity that can be achieved through music and imagine their programs and projects with this in mind, redefining and reimagining the classical music experience. Hailed by The New York Times at its Carnegie Hall debut as “invariably energetic and finely burnished… playing with earthy vigor,” the Catalyst Quartet will perform a fascinating mix of an American standard orchestrated by a contemporary Japanese composer, Toru Takemitsu, a recent Cuban triptych by a young prize-winning composer, Jorge Amado Molina, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s emotional String Quartet in A Minor.
The August 7 concert features special guest Jung-Ho Pak.
Revelation: The Frautschi-Manasse-Nakamatsu Trio <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/revelation-the-frautschi-manasse-nakamatsu-trio/>
Monday, August 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Chatham, 650 Main Street, Chatham
Frautschi-Manasse-Nakamatsu Trio
Jennifer Frautschi, violin
Jon Manasse, clarinet
Jon Nakamatsu, piano
Two-time GRAMMY® Award nominee and Avery Fisher career grant recipient Jennifer Frautschi joins Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Artistic Directors Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu. Jennifer began the violin at age three under the Suzuki Method and performs today on a glorious Antonio Stradivarius violin. Critics have described her performances as “electrifying,” “riveting,” and “mesmerizing.” Together, this trio will present a concert of German, French, and Russian character, with works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Claude Debussy, and Igor Stravinsky, finished off by two spirited American rags originally composed by John Novacek for the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo and arranged by him for this trio.
Jazz at the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival: Count Basie Meets Gerry Mulligan <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/jazz-at-the-cape-cod-chamber-music-festival-count-basie-meets-gerry-mulligan/>
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road, Cotuit
Dan Block, clarinet
Chris Flory, guitar
Lee Hudson, bass
Tom Melito, drums
With special guests Jon and Alec Manasse, clarinet
The Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival features a night of jazz with Dan Block, faculty member of the Juilliard Jazz Studies program, and friends performing music from Count Basie, Gerry Mulligan, and more! Selections will be announced from the stage.
While at Juilliard, pursuing a degree in clarinet, Dan Block divided his time between jam sessions in the New York loft scene and playing in the Juilliard Orchestra under the baton of such luminaries as Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta. Block has performed and recorded with outstanding vocalists including Bobby Short, Rosemary Clooney, and Tony Bennett. Special guests Jon and Alec Manasse will join Dan Block for a triple clarinet feature!
Chris Flory played in Scott Hamilton’s quartet, participating in recordings for Concord Jazz and many overseas tours, and played in Benny Goodman’s sextet. Drummer Tom Melito grew up around jazz legends Bobby Hackett, Stan Getz, and Dave McKenna, and went on to study at The Berklee School of Music and to play with some of the greats of jazz. Bassist Lee Hudson played and toured with many musicians including Junior Cook, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charles Davis, and has performed in many major New York jazz clubs including Birdland, Small’s, and The Blue Note.
Music for 6 and 7: Many Instruments, Extraordinary Sounds <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/music-for-6-and-7-many-instruments-extraordinary-sounds/>
Friday, August 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, 200 Main Street, Wellfleet
Manasse/Nakamatsu & the New York All-Stars
Jennifer Frautschi, violin Jon Manasse, clarinet
Danielle Farina, viola Kevin Newton, horn
Inbal Segev, cello Cynde Iverson, bassoon
Pawel Knapik, bass Jon Nakamatsu, piano
Artistic Directors Manasse and Nakamatsu bring together several New York artists at the top of their game. Danielle Farina, principal viola of the Cape Symphony, has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and performs locally with Giocosa Chamber Music, the Chatham Chorale, and Cosmos Sessions with Cape Symphony concertmaster Jae Cosmos Lee. Israeli American cellist Inbal Segev came to international attention at age 18 when she made her debuts with both the Berlin Philharmonic and Israel Philharmonic under the baton of Zubin Mehta.
Pawel Knapik is a Polish American bassist who performs regularly with preeminent New York City orchestras and has also worked with Paul McCartney, Bono and the Edge, Jennifer Hudson, and Harry Connick, Jr. Kevin Newton is a GRAMMY®-winning horn player, a member of Imani Winds, and a performer in Broadway orchestras, and was a featured artist at the 2024 International Horn Symposium. Cynde Iverson is recognized as one of the finest bassoonists working today; she is principal bassoonist with the Stamford Symphony and New Haven Symphony and a member of the American Ballet Theater Orchestra.
This all-star group performs two Festival favorites, one for six players by Ludwig van Beethoven and the other by Ernst von Dohnányi for seven, which we will highlight for the first time in many years.
Following the performance of “Music for 6 and 7: Many Instruments, Extraordinary Sounds” at the First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, join the musicians and Artistic Directors Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu for a private dinner in the home of a Festival friend in Wellfleet. Seating is limited; purchase tickets <https://capecodchambermusic.easy-ware-ticketing.com/eventsByMovie/A000000352> .
Agile Virtuosity: Parker Quartet <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/agile-virtuosity-parker-quartet/>
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Chatham, 650 Main Street, Chatham
Parker Quartet
Daniel Chong, violin
Ken Hamao, violin
Jessica Bodner, viola
Kee-Hyun Kim, cello
The “fearless” GRAMMY® Award-winning Parker Quartet returns to the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival! The group are protegees of the Festival-favorite Borromeo Quartet. Founded and currently based in Boston (with their name inspired by the Parker House, a Boston historic landmark), the members of the Parker Quartet serve as Professors of the Practice and Blodgett Artists-in-Residence at Harvard University’s Department of Music <https://music.fas.harvard.edu/> . They are renowned for their fresh and unique approach to the great classics while being passionate ambassadors for the music of our time. Gramophone Magazine called them “a string quartet defined by virtuosity so agile that it’s indistinguishable from the process of emotional expression.” The Parker Quartet will perform works by contemporary composer John Adams, Franz Schubert, and Maurice Ravel.
Following the performance of “Agile Virtuosity: Parker Quartet” at the First Congregational Church of Chatham, join the musicians and Artistic Directors Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu for a private dinner in the home of a Festival friend in Harwich Port. Seating is limited; purchase tickets <https://capecodchambermusic.easy-ware-ticketing.com/eventsByMovie/A000000353> .
Phenomenon: Two Manasses, One Nakamatsu & More <https://capecodchambermusic.org/events/phenomenon-two-manasses-one-nakamatsu-more/>
Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Simon Center for the Arts, Falmouth Academy, 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth
Friday, August 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, 200 Main Street, Wellfleet
Kobi Malkin, violin Pawel Knapik, bass
Grace Park, violin Jon Manasse, clarinet
Danielle Farina, viola Alec Manasse, clarinet
Brook Speltz, cello Jon Nakamatsu, piano
Talented artists join Manasse and Nakamatsu – including Jon’s son Alec Manasse. Clarinetists Jon and Alec will join the string players to perform Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor – even though the modern clarinet had not been invented in Bach’s time! The other piece is a worldwide chamber music favorite, Schubert’s Quintet in A Major, known as the “Trout,” for violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano.
The New York Times praised award-winning Israeli violinist Kobi Malkin for his "aptly traversed palette of emotions, from languid introspection to fevered intensity with gorgeous tone and an edge-of-seat intensity." Grace Park is an internationally acclaimed violinist who recently gave her debut recital at Carnegie Hall; the San Francisco Chronicle called her “fresh, different, and exhilarating.”
Brook Speltz is the award-winning cellist of the internationally renowned Escher String Quartet and an artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center who also performs on extensive tours with the cello rock band Break of Reality. Since completing his master’s degree at The Juilliard School, clarinetist Alec Manasse has enjoyed a lively and varied professional life. Alec plays regularly with many of New York City’s top ensembles, including the Metropolitan Opera, the American Ballet Theater Orchestra, and the American Symphony Orchestra. He also frequently played in the Orchestra of Sweeney Todd on Broadway.
Ticketing Information
All tickets are general admission. Price: $40. Students: $20. Children 14 and under: Free. To purchase tickets, visit capecodchambermusic.org <https://capecodchambermusic.org/> or call 508.247.9400.
The Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival is supported in part by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the local Chatham, Eastham, Falmouth, Dennis, Orleans, and Wellfleet Cultural Councils. The Festival is also supported by Cape Cod 5, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, South Shore Playhouse Associates/Cape Cod Melody Tent, and by generous individuals and businesses.
For more information on the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, please visit capecodchambermusic.org <https://capecodchambermusic.org/> , call 508.247.9400, or email info@capecodchambermusic.org. Follow the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/capecodchambermusicfestival> and Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/capecodchambermusic/> .
About Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival
Every summer, the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival presents the finest classical and contemporary chamber music performed by both world-class ensembles and exceptional young emerging artists to Cape Cod audiences. Hailed by the New York Times as “a triumph of quality,” the Festival was founded in 1979 by late pianist Samuel Sanders, a longtime collaborator with Itzhak Perlman. Among today’s most well-known classical musicians, Artistic Directors Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu are dedicated to bringing extraordinary talent and first-rate entertainment to the Cape Cod community.