A photo of the MostArts Festival Orchestra

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What Is MostArts? Inside Alfred's Classical Music Festival

Posted By Alfred University

Jul 28, 2026 | Campus Life & Culture General Blogs Parents & Families Performing Arts

Every summer, Alfred University's campus transforms into a destination for world-class music, emerging young talent, and creative discovery. The MostArts Festival brings internationally recognized musicians, award-winning performers, aspiring young artists, and community members together for a week-long celebration of classical music and the arts. Now entering its second decade, the festival has become one of Alfred's signature cultural experiences, attracting audiences and performers from across the country and around the world.

For prospective students and families exploring Alfred University, MostArts offers a glimpse into something that makes the campus unique: the intersection of academic excellence, artistic achievement, and a vibrant creative community.

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A World-Class Festival in a Small College Town

Held each July, the MostArts Festival features daily chamber music performances, evening concerts, guest artists, visual arts experiences, and the internationally recognized Young Pianist Competition. Many events are free and open to the public, while the festival's marquee concerts take place in Alfred University's Miller Theater.

At the center of the festival is the MostArts Festival Orchestra, a Mozart-sized ensemble comprised of professional musicians from around the world. Together with renowned guest conductors and soloists, the orchestra performs works ranging from classical masterworks to contemporary premieres.

The 2026 festival featured internationally acclaimed pianist Asiya Korepanova, returning Young Pianist Competition winner Avery Gagliano, composer Gabriel Jenks, family music ensemble Musiquita, and a variety of guest artists and conductors.

A photo of Asiya Korepanova playing piano during the MostArts Festival

A photo of Musiquita performing during the MostArts Festival

Spotlighting the Next Generation of Musicians

One of the festival's most anticipated events is the Young Pianist Competition, which attracts some of the nation's most talented high school musicians.

Open to pianists ages 13 to 18, the competition gives finalists the opportunity to perform both solo recitals and concerto movements with the MostArts Festival Orchestra. The Grand Prize winner receives a cash award and an invitation to return the following year as a featured performer.

In 2026, eight finalists traveled to Alfred from across the United States to compete. Fifteen-year-old Maggie Bai of Newton, Massachusetts, earned the Grand Prize, receiving a $10,000 award and an invitation to perform at the 2027 festival.

The competition showcases not only extraordinary musical talent but also Alfred University's commitment to supporting emerging artists early in their careers.

MostArts winner Maggie Bai — MostArts Young Pianist Competition winner Maggie Bai stands with jurors Lucy Mauro, festival Artistic Director Lisa Lantz, and juror Anthony Pattin.

About the Winner

Congratulations to Maggie Bai, a fifteen-year-old from Newton, MA. Maggie is a rising sophomore at Nobles and Greenough School. She started taking piano lessons at the age four, and currently studies with Angel Ramon Rivera and Kanako Nishikawa. Maggie is also enrolled at the New England Conservatory, where she participates in CHIPS and the Prep Piano Seminar, studying chamber music with Ms. Blustein.

Why MostArts Matters

For students interested in music, performance, or the arts, MostArts demonstrates what can happen when a university invests deeply in creative experiences.

At Alfred University, you don't have to travel to a major city to hear exceptional performances or connect with professional artists. During MostArts, those opportunities come directly to campus.

The festival also reflects the broader philosophy of Alfred's music programs: education should be immersive, collaborative, and connected to real-world artistic practice. Whether attending concerts, participating in events, or interacting with visiting performers, students are exposed to professional-level artistry in an intimate setting through the Performing Arts.

The Alfred Difference

Many universities offer music programs. Few host a festival that brings internationally recognized performers, young rising stars, professional orchestral musicians, and community audiences together year after year.

For prospective students, MostArts is more than a summer event. It's a reflection of Alfred University's commitment to creativity, artistic excellence, and experiential learning. [alfred.edu]

Whether you're a musician, an artist, or simply someone who appreciates the arts, MostArts offers a glimpse of the cultural experiences that help make Alfred a distinctive place to learn and grow.

For more information about upcoming MostArts news and events, visit the MostArts website, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.

MostArts 2026