Live Chamber Music on Lake Superior
On Madeline Island, the sound of waves meets the sound of Beethoven, Schubert, and today’s brightest young artists. Each performance is close enough to feel the bow hair and hear every breath.
Whether you’re here to listen or to perform, these concerts are career-defining moments for emerging musicians and unforgettable evenings for audiences.
Every ticket you purchase supports Madeline Island Chamber Music students. Exceptional fellows perform on these very stages each summer.
2025 Summer Concert Series
June–August 2025 • Madeline Island, La Pointe, Bayfield, and Washburn. Seating is intimate and performances regularly sell out—reserve early.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • Children under 12 free (ticket still required).
Friday, June 13, 2025 • 7:30 PM
Opening Night: Beethoven & the Lake
Festival Pavilion, Madeline Island
Beethoven’s String Quartet in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 and Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet ignite the season, performed by MICM faculty with standout fellows in the spotlight.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • under 12 free
Student musicians: opening night includes a pre-concert meet-the-artists event just for you.
Thursday, June 26, 2025 • 7:30 PM
Brahms by Candlelight
Town Hall, La Pointe
Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 and Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25 glow in the warm acoustics of La Pointe’s historic town hall, with fellows joining faculty onstage.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • under 12 free
Ideal for chamber music lovers seeking rich, late-Romantic color in an intimate space.
Sunday, July 6, 2025 • 4:00 PM
Dvořák in the Afternoon
Bayfield Community Center
Dvořák’s String Quartet in F major, Op. 96 “American” and Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81, performed by advanced student ensembles coached by MICM faculty.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • under 12 free
Families welcome—this matinee is a perfect first concert for young listeners.
Friday, July 18, 2025 • 8:00 PM
Ravel at Dusk
Washburn Cultural Center
Ravel’s String Quartet in F major paired with Debussy and contemporary French-inspired works, shimmering as the last light fades over the water.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • under 12 free
Stay after the concert for an informal Q&A with performers about color, texture, and ensemble collaboration.
Saturday, July 26, 2025 • 7:30 PM
Bartók & the Night Sky
Festival Pavilion, Madeline Island
Bartók’s String Quartet No. 4 alongside folk-inspired works by contemporary composers, showcasing fearless student and faculty collaborators.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • under 12 free
This is the night for adventurous ears and emerging artists ready to stretch.
Sunday, August 3, 2025 • 3:00 PM
Family Concert: Schubert & Friends
Bayfield Community Center
Short movements by Schubert, Dvořák, and living composers, hosted from the stage with storytelling and introductions tailored for all ages.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • under 12 free
Come early for an instrument petting zoo and student-led demonstrations.
Friday, August 8, 2025 • 7:30 PM
Faculty & Fellows Gala
Town Hall, La Pointe
Mozart, Ravel, and Shostakovich anchor this celebratory evening of mixed ensembles, where fellows share the stage as equal partners with renowned artists.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • under 12 free
This is the concert alumni remember for years—students, imagine your name in this program.
Sunday, August 17, 2025 • 4:00 PM
Season Finale: Brahms & Beyond
Washburn Cultural Center
Brahms’s Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34 paired with a new work commissioned for MICM, as we close the season with gratitude and bold sound.
Tickets: $20 general • $10 students/seniors • under 12 free
Many visitors plan their final island evening around this concert—reserve early.
Why Attend Madeline Island Chamber Music?
Intimate, Resonant Venues
Hear every detail. Our island chapels, historic town halls, and community centers bring you within a few rows of the artists, with acoustics that make every whisper of sound count.
World-Class Young Artists
Madeline Island fellows arrive from top conservatories around the world. You’ll hear tomorrow’s quartet leaders and soloists while they’re still discovering their own artistic voices.
A Breathtaking Island Setting
Step out of the concert hall into pine forests, sandstone cliffs, and Lake Superior sunsets. For audiences and students alike, the island becomes part of the music.
Want to Perform on This Stage?
Madeline Island Chamber Music is an immersive summer program for serious string players and pianists. You’ll rehearse daily with inspiring coaches, then step onstage in our public concerts alongside faculty and guest artists.
Students describe their time here as transformational: the place they discovered their sound, their ensemble voice, and their artistic courage.
Competitive admission · Chamber music coaching with distinguished faculty · Multiple public performance opportunities.
Season Passes & Supporters
If you never want to miss a note, a season pass or recurring gift keeps you close to the music all summer long and strengthens every concert we present.
- Season Pass — Reserve seats for multiple concerts at once and relax knowing your favorite dates are locked in.
- Encore Supporters — Make a gift that underwrites student scholarships, new commissions, and accessible ticket pricing.
- Bring a Group — Special arrangements for studio trips, festival cohorts, and music clubs.
Your generosity makes it possible for exceptional young musicians to study and perform here, regardless of financial need.
Stay in the Loop
Sign up to receive concert reminders, guest artist announcements, and application deadlines for Madeline Island Chamber Music.
Questions about tickets, passes, or programs? Contact us anytime—our team is glad to help you plan your visit or application.
Madeline Island chamber music 