EarRelevant Staff | 28 JUN 2025
Nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Salish Sea, Bellingham, Washington, is a coastal town where summer arrives gently—bringing with it not only mountain breezes and panoramic sunsets but also one of the Pacific Northwest’s most compelling classical traditions.
From June 29 to July 20, the Bellingham Festival of Music returns with a full season of symphonic and chamber music performances, attracting nationally acclaimed soloists, rising stars, and a festival orchestra composed of top-tier musicians from major American ensembles. For travelers and music lovers alike, the festival is more than a concert series—it’s an invitation to slow down, listen closely, and let the beauty of nature and sound intertwine.
Now in its 32nd season, the Bellingham Festival of Music has earned a national reputation for its artistic excellence and scenic charm. Under the direction of conductor Marcelo Lehninger, now in his second year as artistic director, the festival’s programming is sophisticated but welcoming, offering everything from towering Russian symphonies and poetic English string works to chamber concerts that spotlight contemporary voices and timeless masterworks.
The bulk of the concerts take place at the Western Washington University Performing Arts Center, an acoustically refined venue perched above the town with views stretching toward the San Juan Islands. Just a few minutes downhill, Bellingham’s historic downtown awaits with craft breweries, independent bookstores, waterfront parks, and restaurants that range from casual seafood to locavore fine dining—perfect for pre- or post-concert gatherings.
Ideal for a weekend getaway or even a day trip from Seattle or Vancouver, Bellingham offers an intimate festival experience without the crowding or pressure of big-city events. Each concert is followed by a casual reception where audience members and musicians can mingle over refreshments—transforming each performance into a community gathering rather than a formal recital. Chamber music fans will find a quieter oasis in special events like the “Chamber at the Leo” series, held in downtown’s elegantly restored Hotel Leo, a venue that blends vintage ambiance with modern hospitality.
Whether you’re drawn by the chance to hear Simon Trpčeski interpret Rachmaninoff, eager to experience rising talents like violinist Simone Porter or cellist Sterling Elliott, or simply seeking a rejuvenating escape where nature and music share center stage, the Bellingham Festival of Music is a refined and refreshing cultural retreat. Complete concert details, ticket information, and travel tips are available at bellinghamfestival.org. ■
2025 Bellingham Festival of Music Concert Series
- June 29, 2025
Western Washington University Performing Arts Center
The Russian Masters
Festival Orchestra, Marcelo Lehninger, conductor; Simon Trpčeski, piano
SHOSTAKOVICH: Festive Overture
RACHMANINOFF: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5 - July 5, 2025
Western Washington University Performing Arts Center
London Calling
Festival Orchestra, Marcelo Lehninger, conductor; Sterling Elliott, cello
WALLEN: Chorale for Strings
ELGAR: Cello Concerto
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Symphony No. 2 “London” - July 8, 2025
Western Washington University Performing Arts Center
Calidore String Quartet Recital
Calidore String Quartet
BARBER: String Quartet in B minor, Op. 11
MARSALIS: At the Octoroon Balls
WILLIAMS: With Malice Toward None
KORNGOLD; String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 34 - July 11, 2025
Western Washington University Performing Arts Center
Scottish Journey
Festival Orchestra, Marcelo Lehninger, conductor; Simone Porter, violin
MENDELSSOHN: Fingal’s Cave Overture
BRUCH: Scottish Fantasy
MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 3 “Scottish” - July 13, 2025
Hotel Leo, 1224 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham
Chamber at the Leo
Festival Orchestra members & Conducting Institute Fellows
TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade for Strings
DVOŘÁK: Serenade for Winds in D minor - July 16, 2025
Western Washington University Performing Arts Center
The Viennese Connection
Festival Orchestra, Michael Palmer, conductor; Christina Smith, flute; Sophie Baird‑Daniel, harp
WEBER: Overture to Oberon
MOZART: Concerto for Flute and Harp
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 4 - July 20, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Western Washington University Performing Arts Center
Season Finale
Festival Orchestra, Marcelo Lehninger, conductor; Bellingham Festival Chorus.
GERSHWIN: An American in Paris
DEBUSSY: Trois Nocturnes
TAILLEFERRE: Petite Suite
FAURÉ: Pavane
GERSHWIN: Porgy and Bess – Symphonic Picture
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Bellingham Festival of Music: bellinghamfestival.org
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