Experience inspiring live performances in partnership with the Sheldon.
The Missouri Chamber Music Festival presents Season 16, Hope is the Thing with Music, June 10–21, 2026, in partnership with the Sheldon Concert Hall.
Hope is the Thing with Music explores the deep connection between poetry and music, where lyric and line intertwine. Featuring works by Judith Weir and Augusta Read Thomas, the season draws inspiration from the poetry of Emily Dickinson, illuminating themes of nature, immortality, inner life, and the enduring power of words. The Festival’s commitment to expanding artistic voices continues with a new commission by David Werfelman, further amplifying diverse perspectives in chamber music.
“For me, this season marks a real turning point,” said Nina Ferrigno, Artistic Director of the Missouri Chamber Music Festival. “It feels like the beginning of a new chapter for MOCM—one that builds on our foundation while opening the door to new collaborations and a broader vision for what chamber music can be in St. Louis.”
The season reflects longstanding artistic relationships, featuring the Arianna String Quartet and the Calyx Piano Trio, alongside a new partnership with the Sheldon Concert Hall and the appointment of Managing Director Aviva Hakanoglu.
The Festival’s educational initiative, ACMI (Adult Chamber Music Intensive), will take place May 26–31, 2026. Applications are currently open, with an extended deadline of April 10, 2026.
Events, Performers, Tickets
MOCM Season 16: Hope is the Thing With Music
All events:
The Sheldon Concert Hall
3648 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Concert I. “Upon Enchanted Ground” June 10, 2026 @ 10:30 AM
Music of Copland, Giovanni Solima and Faure
Concert II. “Musicians Wrestle Everywhere” June 15, 2026 @ 7 PM
Featuring Judith Weir: Musicians Wrestle Everywhere for Chamber Orchestra
James Sommerville, conductor
Concert III. Arianna String Quartet June 17, 2026 @ 7 PM
Prelude Concert of Young Artists from ACMF @ 6 PM
Augusta Read Thomas, Upon Wings of Words
Featuring Benedetta Orsi & The Arianna String Quartet
Special Prelude concert by Young Artists from the Arianna Chamber Music Festival
Concert IV. “There’s a certain slant of light” June 21, 2026 @ 7 PM
WORLD PREMIERE: New Work by David Werfelman
Music of Beethoven & Elena Kats-Chernin,
The Calyx Piano Trio
Festival Performers
The Arianna String Quartet
The Calyx Piano Trio
Nina Ferrigno, piano
Sixto Franco, viola
Tzuying Huang, clarinet
Nadine Hur, flute
Hannah Ji, violin
Nathan Lowry, violin
Benedetta Orsi, mezzo-soprano
Kevin Ritenauer, percussion
Davin Rubicz, cello
James Sommerville, conductor
Robert Walker, clarinet
Shen Wen, pian
Tickets
On sale now: www.mochambermusic.org
4-Concert Festival Passes $100
Single Tickets $30/ Student Tickets $10 with ID
SUPPORT
Season 16: Hope is the Thing with Music is funded in part by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, and the Missouri Arts Council. With partnership support from The Sheldon Concert Hall & Galleries, Webster University Department of Music, and the Community Music School of Webster University
ABOUT MOCM
The Missouri Chamber Music Festival (MOCM) was formed in June 2010 to educate, cultivate, promote, foster, sponsor, develop, and encourage understanding of and public interest in classical chamber music. MOCM brings nationally recognized professional musicians to St. Louis, MO to perform a series of chamber music concerts in collaboration with local artists during an annual Festival each June. Diverse programming including new and commissioned works are a defining attribute of the Festival illuminating the fine art of the small ensemble genre.
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