Rockport Chamber Music Festival Renews Artistic Director Contract

Barry Shiffman will continue his role with the festival through 2028

Since starting his position at Massachusetts’ Rockport Music in 2018, violinist Barry Shiffman has overseen the creation of its Fellows program for emerging artists, Classical Cabarets, plus numerous performances in the community, including films and lectures. He has also featured composers-in-residence Mark Applebaum and Osvaldo Golijov.

During his tenure, he has worked with the Festival to feature artists including Jan Lisiecki, Yefim Bronfman, and Stewart Goodyear; Gidon Kremer, Ray Chen, and Stefan Jackiw; the Dover, Parker and St. Lawrence quartets; the Zukerman Trio, Mahan Esfahani, Anthony McGill, David Finckel and Wu Han, and Marc-André Hamelin, among others.

Additional highlights of his tenure include featuring theater elements and thematic programming; competition winners including pianists Sae Yoon Chon and Yekwon Sunwoo, and violinists Danny Koo and Boson Mo; and works by contemporary composers such as Jessie Montgomery, Caroline Shaw, Florence Price, Osvaldo Golijov, Mark Applebaum, Tan Dun, and Steve Reich.

A violinist and violist, Shiffman made his debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15. In 1989, he co-founded the St. Lawrence String Quartet, with whom he played for 17 years — appearing in over 2,000 concerts and recorded critically acclaimed discs under an exclusive contract with EMI Classics.

His previous roles include director of music programs at Banff Centre and artistic director of the Centre’s Summer Music Programs. He currently serves as executive director of the Banff International String Quartet Competition — a position he will also continue through 2028. 

Additionally, he holds teaching and leadership roles at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Glenn Gould School, and the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists. His accolades include the Nadia Boulanger Prize for Excellence in the Art of Teaching and an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary. 

He has also served on the jury of the Tchaikovsky and Montreal Violin Competitions, plus London’s Wigmore Hall, Geneva, Banff, and Lyon String Quartet Competitions.  

“The Board of Trustees is thrilled that Barry will continue in his role as the Artistic Director of the Rockport Chamber Music Festival and classical music over the next five years,” said board chair Jeannie McIntyre. “He brings to Rockport Music an extraordinary vision for the future, a strong belief in the transformative power of music, a wealth of connections in the classical music world, and a passion for our organization.”

“I am delighted to be continuing…It is a privilege to work with the talented staff and committed board of Rockport Music, bringing the best the world has to offer to our stunning stage, enriching  the lives of our listeners, and delivering on the promise of possibility that the Shalin Liu Performance Center provides,” Shiffman added. “What has been built over many years at Rockport Music stands as a beautiful testament to the love of music and community.”

Founded in 1981, Rockport Music now presents year-round presentations of jazz, folk, pop, and global music, as well as high-definition broadcasts including the Metropolitan Opera, London’s National Theatre, and special film presentations. Additionally, the organization’s Education and community outreach activities serve nearly 10,000 students and adults throughout Cape Ann and the North Shore annually.