July 2026
Dear Friend of Kneisel Hall,
The sounds of summer are in the air at Kneisel Hall. Chamber music is filling every rehearsal space, master class, and our historic Concert Hall. As we celebrate 124 years of outstanding artistry, Kneisel Hall is a place where music and community gather.
This summer’s Festival opened with 35 local Maine students through our Program for Maine Students, followed by 51 exceptional Young Artists from around the world, transforming this campus into a musical center of creativity, just as Franz Kneisel envisioned in 1902. This season, we are excited and honored to welcome award-winning Composer-in-Residence Augusta Read Thomas, four returning alumni as members of the Viano and Katarina String Quartets, and the world-renowned soprano, Kristina Bacharach.
You are what makes this possible.
While we are currently raising funds to restore and preserve our beloved concert hall, your annual gift is what sustains our organization. You keep the music playing, the programs thriving, and the mission alive season after season.
As we reach the heart of our season, please make a gift now to ensure the music continues. Your support directly fuels the artistic programming and concerts that are exciting, vivid, and compelling, as well as the critical music education that brings chamber music to life and inspires the next generation.
Act today: give securely at www.kneisel.org/support or use the enclosed reply envelope. Every gift, no matter the amount, makes a vital difference in the life of Kneisel Hall.
With gratitude and warmest wishes,
Laurie Smukler, Artistic Director / Meredith Amado, Executive Director / Jeffrey Kehl, President, Board of Trustees
p.s. If you’ve already made your gift this season, thank you so much. Your generosity is at the heart of everything we do.