Salt Bay Chamberfest’s “Music Unearthed” festival is in full swing, with multiple concerts scheduled through August. Events include  two concerts at Lincoln Theater, two free concerts at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, a Music on the River recital on Glidden Street in Newcastle, a “listening adventure” at Keyes Woods Preserve led by Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust’s Sarah Gladu alongside SBC Artistic Director Wilhelmina Smith, and a lecture-demo with cellist Karen Ouzounian at Rutherford Public Library in South Bristol. 

On Friday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m., will be a concert titled “Unearthed: Earth & Sky” at the Lincoln Theater. This performance captures birdsong and the spirituality of the skies through Haydn’s String Quartet in C major, Op. 33, No. 3, “The Birds”; Messiaen’s “Abyss of the Birds,” from Quartet for the End of Time; and Brahms’ late-period Clarinet Quintet. Nipmuck flutist Hawk Henries plays his own works honoring the Earth and his Native American heritage. Performing with him are Romie de Guise-Langlois, clarinet; violinists Aaron Boyd and Susie Park; violist Maiya Papach; and cellist Wilhelmina Smith.

On Tuesday, August 11 at 7:30 pm, the Grammy-winning ensemble Sandbox Percussion joins composer and steel pannist Andy Akiho for “Unearthed: Created,” an intense, high-octane performance of works written especially for the group. Featuring commentary by group members, the concert includes the world premiere of Akiho’s SBC-commissioned work, Pentalateral I.

This weekend also includes numerous free outdoor musical events designed for all audiences. SBC continues its collaboration with the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, presenting two free concerts at the Gardens in Boothbay.

On Saturday, August 8 at 4pm, “Birdsong with Birds” finds SBC musicians summoning and singing with local birds in a performance of Haydn’s “The Bird” Quartet, plus original music evoking birdsong written and performed by Henries.

On Sunday, August 9 at 4pm, in “Heartbeat of Nature,” Sandbox Percussion energizes the Gardens with rhythms of nature in a unique and interactive percussion jam. There is free access to the Gardens for concertgoers starting an hour before the performance.

Also on Sunday, August 9 at 4 p.m., violinist Aaron Boyd will give a short outdoor recital as part of Music on the River at 39 Glidden Street, Newcastle.

On Monday, August 10 at 2pm at Keyes Woods Preserve, there will be a special Maine listening adventure called “Harvesting the Sounds of Nature.” It will feature Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust’s Director of Community Science and naturalist Sarah Gladu alongside SBC Artistic Director and cellist Wilhelmina Smith.

On Wednesday, August 12, cellist and composer Karen Ouzounian will present a lecture/demonstration at Rutherford Public Library in South Bristol at 1pm.

For tickets and more information, visit www.saltbaychamberfest.org, email contact@saltbaychamberfest.org, or call (207) 522-3749. All programs and artists are subject to change.

Salt Bay Chamberfest 2026 Season at a Glance

Wed, Aug 5 - 7 pm Concert 1 (Center for Maine Contemporary Art)

Thurs, Aug 6 - 12 pm Wabanaki & SBC (Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness Cultural Center)

Fri, Aug 7 - 6:30 pm Pre-Concert Talk and 7:30 pm Concert 2 (Lincoln Theater)

Sat, Aug 8 - 4 pm SBC @ the Gardens 1 (Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens)

Sun, Aug 9 - 4 pm SBC @ the Gardens 2 (Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens) 

Sun, Aug 9 - 4 pm Music on the River (39 Glidden St., Newcastle)

Mon, Aug 10 - 2 pm Nature Listening Adventure (Keyes Woods Preserve)

Tues, Aug 11 - 3 pm Lecture/Demo (Skidompha Public Library)

Tues, Aug 11 - 6:30 pm Pre-Concert Talk and 7:30 pm Concert 3 (Lincoln Theater) 

Wed, Aug 12 - 1 pm Lecture/Demo (Rutherford Library)

Wed, Aug 12 - 7 pm Concert 3 (Minsky Recital Hall)

Thurs, Aug 13 - 3 pm Kids & Family Concert (Central Lincoln County YMCA)

Fri, Aug 14 - 6:30 pm Pre-Concert Talk and 7:30 pm Concert 4 (Lincoln Theater) 

Sat, Aug 15 - 1 pm Masterclass (Skidompha Public Library)

Sat, Aug 15 - 4 pm SBC @ the Gardens 3 (Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens)

Sun, Aug 16 - 2 pm Jennifer Koh Bach Marathon (Lincoln Theater)