The Winchendon Music Festival (WMF) is a non-profit organization and concert series held in Winchendon, Massachusetts. The Festival showcases performances by international artists from a variety of genres including (but not limited to) classical, folk, jazz, historical performance, and world music.^[1] Concerts are free to the public, with support from several local Cultural Councils, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, the Winchendon History & Cultural Center, and the First Congregational Church of Winchendon.^[2]

Background

The Winchendon Music Festival was founded in 2016^[3] by multi-instrumentalist, scholar, and composer Andrew Arceci,^[4] and dedicated to the memory of his late father, Dr. Robert J. Arceci (1950-2015). Dr. Arceci was a pediatric oncologist from Winchendon, with a passion for the arts.^[5]

The Winchendon Music Festival presents solo, small ensemble, and chamber orchestral programs.^[6][7] Noted artists have included Anne Azéma, the Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol Trio, Randall Scotting, Arcadia Players, and other acts. Festival founder and Director Andrew Arceci leads several of the Festival's musical programs each year,^[8] performing on viola da gamba, violone, and bass.^[9][10]

Performances for the Winchendon Music Festival take place at several venues around Winchendon, including the Murdock-Whitney House (Winchendon History & Cultural Center), Old Centre Church (Old Centre Historic District), Beals Memorial Library, Robinson Broadhurst Amphitheater, and American Legion.^{[11][12][13][14]} During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2021 Festival pivoted to online offerings for the Winchendon community, resuming a full schedule of live performances in 2022.^{[15][16][17][18]}

References