VMMF Philosophy
The Valley of the Moon Music Festival stands at the forefront of professional chamber music training. Rooted in the fundamental principles of chamber music, VMMF offers an immersive and collaborative setting where contemporary artistry melds with historical legacy, empowering exceptional musicians to shape the future of classical music.
Where Contemporary Artistry Illuminates Musical Heritage
Valley of the Moon Music Festival forges its own unique legacy through our anchor in Historical Performance Practice, our bold commitment to explore the full possibilities of sound on gut strings and historic pianos across centuries, and the cultivation of the next generation of versatile artists.
The Freedom to Explore
At Valley of the Moon, we redefine Historically Informed Performance (HIP) as a living practice that blends scholarship with imaginative exploration, encouraging artists to create authentic interpretations within a flexible, supportive ecosystem. We support our musicians to boldly ask, “what if” and examine HIP as a playground of possibilities.
The Art of Shared Sound
We embrace a model of radical equality within the Valley of the Moon where each musician’s voice, from Apprentices to Guest Artists is equally heard, supported, and valued within the collaborative rehearsal and performance process. The goal is a culture in which hierarchy is intentionally softened, collaboration is prioritized, and shared artistic accountability remains constant. Each musician is treated as a fully fledged professional artist and is expected to prepare and conduct themselves accordingly as representatives of Valley of the Moon.