Buzzards Bay Musicfest Returns for a 27th Year of Free Music By the Sea

MARION (WBSM) — The 2025 Buzzards Bay Musicfest will bring the world of classical, chamber and jazz music to the Marion waterfront this week, so you won’t have to travel to Boston or Tanglewood to hear world-class musicians.

The 27th annual Musicfest will take place July 9 through July 13 at the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy in Marion. Acclaimed musicians will perform orchestral masterpieces, intimate chamber works, and jazz favorites – and it is all free.

Evening concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. with a special Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. No ticket or RSVP is required; you can just show up and an enjoy the music.

Get our free mobile app

Charles Stegeman, the Artistic Director and Concertmaster for the Buzzards Bay Musicfest, co-founded the event 27 years ago as a sister festival to one in Topeka, Kansas. He said it came about from a love among his friends of playing chamber music, something they didn’t often get a chance to do.

“So the idea formed at a dinner party, and by 2 a.m., everyone figured out exactly what to do, and that’s how it originally started.”

That first festival, the Sunflower Music Festival, began in 1987 and is still going strong today. Stegeman said the Buzzards Bay Musicfest came along about 10 years later.

“It basically started with a whole bunch of friends that just wanted to play together. That was the original intent, and to provide free classical music to audiences in these locations, and it's just been wonderful,” he said.

That’s why chamber music is still a big part of the festival, giving people a chance to hear something they don’t often get to hear, while the musicians still enjoy the chance to perform it. The Thursday and Saturday performances will feature chamber music.

“Often you get a string quartet or trio, which tours the country. You know, world famous, but you very seldom see multiple types of playing numbers. This one will have everywhere from an octet to a duo, so that gives you all kinds of variety in the concerts, and you don't get stuck in one type of ensemble,” he said. “The audiences seem to enjoy it tremendously, and we enjoy playing it. So it's super fun on both sides.”

Wednesday and Sunday will be orchestral performances, while Friday is described as “swing music,” a night of jazz.

“It’s a balance that has worked for 27 years,” Stegeman said.

Find out more at BuzzardsBayMusicFest.com and on the Buzzards Bay Musicfest Facebook page.