A new chapter begins for the Eastern Festival of Music in 2026 with a brand new leader in Greensboro
GREENSBORO BETWEEN TEN IN THE MORNING AND ONE IN THE AFTERNOON. TOMORROW. A CLASSIC MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE PIEDMONT TRIAD IN JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER HITTING SOME ROADBLOCKS LAST YEAR. IT IS NOW UNDER A NEW NAME, EASTERN FESTIVAL OF MUSIC. WXII 12 SERRA SOWERS SHARES HOW THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL PLANNING IS SHAPING UP. MUSIC IS A VERY POSITIVE FORCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES. THEY FEEL A SENSE OF COMMUNITY. NO, IT’S NOT COMPETITIVE IN THE SENSE THAT THERE ARE WINNERS AND LOSERS. IT’S A NEW ERA FOR THE FESTIVAL OF MUSIC, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE EASTERN MUSIC FESTIVAL, A SUMMER STAPLE IN THE TRIAD FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS, MUSIC DIRECTOR GERARD SCHWARZ HAS BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR 20 YEARS AND IS PROUD OF THIS REVIVAL. IT’S BEEN A BIG MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB, BUT WE DID IT, AND HERE WE ARE. VERY EXCITING. THE FESTIVAL IS MAKING ITS RETURN TO GREENSBORO IN A NEW WAY, AFTER THE ORGANIZATION DISSOLVED DUE TO UNRESOLVED LABOR CONDITION, DEMANDS. SEEING THESE EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE WHO I KNOW WELL, TRUST AND LOVE COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT IN SOME FASHION IT WOULD CONTINUE, HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY. THE FESTIVAL IS A VIBRANT PART OF THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE EACH SUMMER, BRINGING TOGETHER TOP ORCHESTRAL TALENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD. WITH 280 ASPIRING CLASSICAL MUSICIANS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24. IN AN INTENSIVE PERFORMANCE PROGRAM, IT GIVES EVERYONE A FEELING OF A FAMILY, A FEELING OF COMMUNITY, AND IT’S A VERY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. AND IT’S NOT ONLY FUN FOR THE MUSICIANS, BUT THE COMMUNITY WHO WILL HEAR THE MUSIC FEEL. GUILFORD COLLEGE THIS SUMMER. ONCE AGAIN, MUSIC CAN COMMUNICATE IN A VERY DEEP WAY, AND YOU KNOW WHEN SOMEONE’S PLAYING OR IF YOU’RE LISTENING TO SOMEONE PLAYING, IT’S NOT ABOUT ANYTHING EXCEPT THE ART. IN GREENSBORO SERRA SOWERS WXII 12 NEWS. FESTIVAL BEGINS JUNE 27TH. IF YOU KNOW AN ASPIRING MUSICIAN WHO MAY BE A PERFECT FIT FOR THIS. THEY ARE TAKING APPLICATIONS, BUT THE WINDOW IS GOIN
A new chapter begins for the Eastern Festival of Music in 2026 with a brand new leader in Greensboro
A beloved classical music festival in Greensboro emerges as the new and improved Eastern Festival of Music after taking one year off to correct issues.The 2025 Eastern Music Festival didn’t go on as planned due to labor conflicts with the former festival leadership over work conditions for 61 faculty members.The festival is a classical music summer intensive for aspiring musicians aged 14-23. In its nearly 60-year history, the program was only cancelled twice — once during the pandemic, and in 2025. The organization, EMF, dissolved officially in November 2025, and the Eastern Festival of Music was born shortly after.The revival will feature all of the professional musician faculty who were previously employed under EMF, this time under the terms that work best for their schedules.Performances from faculty and their students will take place at Dana Auditorium on the Guilford College campus. Faculty concerts are held twice weekly, with student ensemble recitals performed throughout the festival’s duration.If you would like to apply to participate in the festival, applications are open through February 20. The festival runs from June 27 to August 1.
A beloved classical music festival in Greensboro emerges as the new and improved Eastern Festival of Music after taking one year off to correct issues.
The 2025 Eastern Music Festival didn’t go on as planned due to labor conflicts with the former festival leadership over work conditions for 61 faculty members.
The festival is a classical music summer intensive for aspiring musicians aged 14-23. In its nearly 60-year history, the program was only cancelled twice — once during the pandemic, and in 2025. The organization, EMF, dissolved officially in November 2025, and the Eastern Festival of Music was born shortly after.
The revival will feature all of the professional musician faculty who were previously employed under EMF, this time under the terms that work best for their schedules.
Performances from faculty and their students will take place at Dana Auditorium on the Guilford College campus. Faculty concerts are held twice weekly, with student ensemble recitals performed throughout the festival’s duration.
If you would like to apply to participate in the festival, applications are open through February 20. The festival runs from June 27 to August 1.