A Tradition of Excellence

The Chintimini Chamber Music Festival started in 2001 and has been held annually (except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The Festival was the brilliant idea of our former Artistic Director, Erik Peterson, and his wish to return to his hometown and play chamber music with musicians he knew while growing up in the mid-Willamette Valley. Early supporters were Joan Caldwell and Charles Creighton.

 Mission

The mission of Chintimini Chamber Music is to produce chamber music concerts and festivals built around musicians raised in Oregon’s Willamette Valley who are pursuing performing careers in classical music anywhere in the world, to promote the enjoyment of chamber music by young and old, and to develop musicians and audiences of the future.

Adopted by Board of Directors Feb. 19, 2014

Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

At the Chintimini Chamber Music Festival, we believe music transcends boundaries, strengthening connections across cultures and experiences. We are committed to reflecting this philosophy through our festival, fostering an environment where equity, inclusion, and diversity thrive.

Diversity: We celebrate the richness of human difference, welcoming artists, composers, staff, and audience members from a vibrant tapestry of backgrounds. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, socioeconomic status, and musical training.

Inclusion: We actively create a space where every voice is heard, every perspective valued, and every individual feels welcomed and empowered. This means embracing different cultures, fostering open communication, and ensuring accessibility for all.

Equity: We strive to dismantle barriers and provide equal opportunities for participation and growth. This includes initiatives like artist mentorship programs, sponsorships, and community outreach, ensuring everyone has a chance to experience the power of music played at a professional level.

We put these principles into practice through the frequent programming of underrepresented composers, new commissions, and music connected with important cultural themes.

Erik Peterson, founder and past Artistic Director

Nationally recognized violinist, Erik Peterson is a member of the Ivy Street Ensemble and a former member of the Colorado Symphony. An active teacher in the Denver Metro area, Erik has a large studio of talented violinists and continues to pursue excellence on the violin for both himself and his students.

Erik is dedicated to chamber music performance and community outreach. He frequently visits Colorado schools to engage students in the art of chamber music performance with a variety of ensembles. A longtime member of the Ivy Street Ensemble, Erik also performs across the state with cellist Barbara Thiem, and pianist Theodore Lichtmann as part of the Mendelssohn Trio. His performances are often broadcast on Performance Today, Colorado Public Radio, and Oregon Public Radio.

In addition to his commitments to violin and chamber music performance, Erik Peterson was the founder and Artistic Director of the Chintimini Chamber Music Festival from 2001 to 2023, and is the current Artistic Director of the Front Range Chamber Players (www.frontrangechamberplayers.org) in Fort Collins, Colorado. His role in these two organizations has allowed him to promote the art of chamber music to a wide audience. We continue to honor the structure and traditions that Erik established with the Chintimini Chamber Music Festival.

While attending the University of Iowa, Erik studied violin performance with Leapold LaFosse. He continued violin studies with Andres Cardenes at the University of Michigan and with Camilla Wicks at Rice University. Erik has been a member of many orchestras throughout the United States, and has performed in the great concert halls of Europe as Principal Second Violinist of the American Sinfonietta on several international tours.

Erik maintains a private home teaching studio and has also taught for Colorado State University, Rocky Ridge Music Center, Denver Young Artists Orchestra and the Denver School of the Arts, and he is frequently engaged to give master classes.