Trustee Patricia Brown with pianist Risa Kohmoto

Frequently Asked Questions

For additional FAQs:

Q: What is the Bowdoin International Music Festival?
A: The Bowdoin International Music Festival is a world-renowned six-week residential classical music program in Brunswick, Maine. It comprises seven concert series, summer study, and service to the Midcoast Maine community.

Q: Who participates in the Festival?
A: Each year, more than 275 participants in our Summer Study program and more than 50 artist-instructors come from all over the world to take part in the Festival. Participants and artist-instructors are all among the most advanced and highly regarded musicians from the world’s top conservatories, performing groups, and concert halls.

Audiences from Maine, New England, New York, the United States, and abroad attend the Festival. More than 14,000 people come to more than 80 concerts and events every year.

Q: How did the Festival start?
A: The Festival was co-founded in 1964 by the late Robert K. Beckwith and Artistic Director Lewis Kaplan. It has taken place every summer since.

Q: Is the Festival a non-profit organization?
A: Yes. From 1964 until 1997, the Festival was a program of Bowdoin College. In 1997, it became a fully independent non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.

Q: How does the Festival support the community?
A: During its six-week run every summer, the Festival generates an estimated $3.9 million in revenue for local businesses. It is an important part of the Midcoast Maine region’s creative economy.

The Bowdoin Festival has made a substantial commitment to barrier-free access to the arts. Of its more than 80 concerts, approximately 65 are free to all (some of these with a small suggested donation). In addition to free concerts at the state-of-the-art Studzinski Recital Hall on the Bowdoin College campus, free concerts are given in non-traditional locations throughout the region, to provide access to people who would otherwise be unable to attend. Concerts take place at facilities for seniors, the impaired and disabled, youth, and at churches, local businesses, and other locations. Ticketed concerts cost $25-$35, and at many of these youth under age 21 are admitted free of charge.

Q: How does the community support the Festival?
A: As a non-profit organization, the Festival depends on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses. To find out how you can help, please visit the Your Support section of our website. Thank you.