Our Mission

To lead the listening public and music students toward the personal experience of music as a vehicle for growth, expression and enjoyment. Our students and audience are people of all ages and a wide range of musical abilities and experience.

KSMF started in the spring of 1992, when a local resident, Ron Lewis, and John Schnarr, a local music teacher, approached Chamber Music Kincardine (CMK) to propose that CMK, in addition to presenting local chamber concerts, support and help create a music camp. The first Kincardine Summer Music Festival was organized in only a few months with a handful of volunteers; most notably Ron Lewis, Hans Braul, Kathryn Braul, Irv Mills and Carolyn Mills.

We wanted to offer musical learning and playing opportunities for everyone, especially young musicians, during the day. We also wanted to create a concert series for all to attend in the evenings. By combining the two, we were able to offer our students the opportunity to study and play with world-class artists during the day, attend their concerts in the evening, and grow to know and appreciate these performers in person.

KSMF is a not-for-profit, registered charity corporation. The KSMF combination of daytime classes and public evening concerts has made it a preferred summer music destination for music students and faculty for 28 years.

Beginners of all ages can rent and learn to play the instrument of their choice.

Experienced students are provided with the opportunity to develop their skills.

Advanced students can challenge themselves in the Jazz, Chamber Music or Vocal programs.

Our goal has always been to offer affordable but excellent musical opportunities to our local communities, as well as reaching out to others. Many of our professional staff return year after year for a small recompense because of their love of music and enthusiasm for teaching. Our students meet new friends, learn and play together, and are inspired by our world-class artists. Many have gone on to concentrate on music in their chosen profession. All have been enriched by the KSMF experience. As volunteers, we find the results of our work so rewarding that we keep coming back too! You might like to join us!