March 1: David Finckel, cellist and Wu Han, pianist. Special Gala  – Celebrating Sanibel Music Festival’s Return to the Island.

March 4: Jon Nakamatsu, Piano.

March 8: Horszowski Trio.

March 11: 2025 National Chopin Piano,Competition Winner.

March 18: Opera Theater of Connecticut Singing Kander and Ebb.

March 22: Isidore String Quartet.

 Dear Chamber Music Lovers,

Sanibel Music Festival is overjoyed to begin the 38th season with a return to the center of Sanibel Island at long-time venue Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ (SCUCC).

Please mark your calendars to brighten and begin your holiday season on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 4 pm with Sanibel’s Island-wide 50th Anniversary Luminary Concert. The Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music presents “All is Bright” at SCUCC.

We are elated to have the enthusiastic support of renowned pianist, Wu Han, with her husband, cellist David Finckel, for a two-day Gala Benefit culminating in a special concert March 1, 2025. Click here for details on event passes and concert tickets.

March 4, we showcase island favorite Jon Nakamatsu, a Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist in his third decade of world tours. March 8, the Horszowski Trio, cited by the New York Times as “the most compelling group to come on the scene…”, will wow us with their prowess. On March 11, we proudly present the winner of the U.S. National Chopin Piano Competition, to be announced in January.

Opera Theater of Connecticut returns by popular demand on March 28, featuring the songs of Kander and Ebb made popular in the musicals Chicago and Cabaret, and by Sinatra, Minelli, and Streisand. To wrap up the season will be the powerful and inspiring Isidore String Quartet on March 22.

Come revel in music with world-class artists in the intimacy of our venue. We welcome you to augment your experience with a donation of $1000 or more to achieve recognition in the ENCORE SOCIETY. Perks for a $1000 donation include two reserved, named seats at concerts plus invitations to the post-concert After Glo receptions, a wonderful opportunity to mingle with our esteemed artists and learn about their lives and musical styles.

We are an all-volunteer organization and strive to keep ticket prices reasonable, but to do so we depend on the generosity of our patrons as only 40% of expenses are covered by ticket sales. Donations of any amount may be made
 on our website or mailed to SMF, P.O. Box 1623, Sanibel, FL 33957. Sanibel Music Festival is a 501c3 organization and your contributions are tax deductible.

Online ticket purchases will generate an email that you may show on your phone or print out and show in lieu of tickets.

We believe the arts are a compelling force in the positive recovery of our region after Hurricane Ian. We are so grateful for your continued involvement and support.

Cordially yours,

Deborah Larson and Shirley Witte
Co-Presidents Sanibel Music Festival

Sanibel Music Festival Logo

PO Box 1623
Sanibel, FL 33957
239-344-7025

38th Season Logo

2025
CONCERT VENUE

UCC Sanibel
Congregational Church

2050 Periwinkle Way,
Sanibel, FL 33957

2025 Program Cover

NEW!
CLICK HERE FOR
Donor Information

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Festival is to present classical music of the highest standard and to promote the careers of emerging artists through performance opportunities at affordable prices.

SANIBEL MUSIC FESTIVAL FACTS

The Sanibel Music Festival was founded in the 1980’s by Marilyn Lauriente, musician and impresario. The Festival has presented such wonderful artists as: The Emerson String Quartet, Olga Kern, Opera Theater of Connecticut, David Finckel, Wu Han, The Juilliard String Quartet, Orion Weiss, Joyce Yang, Jon Nakamatsu, Ruth Laredo, the American String Quartet, the Pacifica Quartet, and the Prazak Quartet.

The Festival presents a concert series each season, featuring chamber music, piano, and vocal ensemble, as well as outreach and education programs.

HOSTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2025

The privilege of hosting an artist in your home is a wonderful opportunity to be “up close and personal” with world-famous artists. This also affords the host some special perks at the accompanying concert.

Contact Deborah Larson for details and to choose your dates and artists for hosting.
Call or Text: 703-966-9474. Email: [email protected]

“A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) OR www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” FLORIDA REGISTRATION CH2935

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