Experience the Best of Modern Classical Music at the Mostly Modern Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY
One summer event you won’t want to miss in Saratoga Springs this year is the Mostly Modern Festival, a celebration of modern classical music. From June 5–20, 2025, the festival will showcase dynamic orchestral, vocal, and chamber concerts featuring mostly new and recent works. Read on to learn more about the event!
An Epic Summer Festival Born From a Musical Couple
In June 2018, husband-and-wife duo Robert and Victoria Paterson founded the Mostly Modern Festival, which debuted at Skidmore College’s Arthur Zankel Music Center in Saratoga Springs. The festival is a division of Mostly Modern Projects, a nonprofit organization that celebrates and promotes modern classical music.
Robert, an acclaimed composer, serves as the Artistic Director of Mostly Modern Projects, while Victoria, a violinist with over 20 years of Broadway experience, is the Executive Director. The pair set out to create a unique summer festival that features classical music of our time and includes an educational component for composers, instrumentalists, vocalists, and conductors. And so, the Mostly Modern Festival was born.
How the Mostly Modern Festival Flips the Classical Music Programming Model
Unlike traditional classical music festivals that focus on composers like Bach, Mozart, or Brahms, the Mostly Modern Festival centers on music by living composers from around the world—while still occasionally dipping into the past. For Robert and Victoria, it’s a meaningful way to connect today’s audiences with the joys of modern classical music.
“World premieres will always be an important feature of the festival, as they allow us to connect audiences with new and exciting compositions by modern classical music composers,” said Robert.
In addition, the organizers host the Mostly Modern Festival Institute, a three-week intensive for composers, instrumentalists, vocalists, and conductors. Participants perform side-by-side with distinguished faculty members on the Skidmore College campus, offering a truly immersive and collaborative experience.
What Can Audiences Expect at the Event?
The Mostly Modern Festival is designed to create a memorable experience for everyone involved—from the performers and composers to the audience itself.
“Each performance at Mostly Modern Festival provides an up-close and intimate experience for audience members, with joyful performances and discussions of newly composed modern classical music by top-tier conductors and musicians from around the country within the beautiful Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College,” Victoria shared.
Multiple concerts take place throughout the multi-week event, including performances by the Mostly Modern Orchestra, the American Modern Ensemble, featured vocalists, and more. All concerts are held at the Arthur Zankel Music Center, except for the opening night event at Caffe Lena, Saratoga’s historic listening room.
Mark Your Calendar and Purchase Tickets Ahead of Time
If you’re curious about what makes the Mostly Modern Festival so special, don’t miss your chance to attend this year’s celebration of modern classical music on June 5-20, 2025. See full details and purchase your tickets!
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