About AICMF

What's in a Name?

Amelia Island

Amelia Island, Florida, sits at the southern tip of the Sea Island chain—a laid-back paradise off the southeastern U.S. coast and the most beautiful location for our festival.

Chamber Music

Chamber music has a few meanings. It can refer to a small group of musicians playing without a conductor, or it can refer to the size of the concert venue. Chamber Music used to be performed in small spaces, and we keep this tradition alive by performing in historic and smaller spaces here on the island.

Festival

The word festival also has a dual meaning. It can mean an isolated event spanning a few days or a few weeks, OR it can be a celebration! Our “Festival” is a concert series running from January through June that celebrates bringing world-class musicians to our island.

Our Mission

  1. Present the world’s greatest musical artists in chamber music concerts of classical and alternative genres for diverse audiences.
  2. Offer music education to concert attendees, students, and aspiring young musicians.
  3. Promote local businesses and tourism by attracting music lovers from Nassau County, northeast Florida, and beyond.

Our History

About The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival was founded in 2001 by Christopher Rex, a vacationer on Amelia Island and principal cellist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Now entering its 24th season, the Festival has developed into one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the nation. Grants from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, National Endowment for the Arts, generous contributions from sponsors and donors, and a dedicated corps of hard working volunteers help support the Festival. 

Music education for concert audiences, students, and aspiring young musicians has been a core mission of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival since its founding. In addition to the Beth Newdome Fellowship and Master Classes, the organization
launched two new education programs in 2019: the Christopher Rex Spring Institute and the String Education Program.

The array of internationally acclaimed artists who have headlined the Festival over the years is impressive, including Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Hilary Hahn, Pinchas Zukerman, Joshua Bell, Chick Corea, Bela Fleck, Chris Thile, Emanuel Ax, Valentina Lisitsa, and Wynton Marsalis. ACIMF’s list of star-studded headliners also include GRAMMY-winning violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs, and soprano Renée Fleming. The acclaimed Dover Quartet was named the organization’s first quartet-in-residence. AICMF has enjoyed a glorious past, and its future is evenmore exciting.

Past Season Brochures:

Season 24 (2024 – 2025)
Season 23 (2023 – 2024)
Season 22 (2022 – 2023)
Season 21 (2021 – 2022)
Season 20 (2020 – 2021)
Season 19 (2019 – 2020)
Season 18 (2018 – 2019)
Season 17 (2017 – 2018)
Season 16 (2016 – 2017)
Season 15 (2015 – 2016)
Season 14 (2014 – 2015)
Season 13 (2013 – 2014)
Season 12 (2012 – 2013)
Season 11 (2011 – 2012)
Season 10 (2010 – 2011)
Season 9 (2009 – 2010)
Season 8 (2008 – 2009)
Season 7 (2007 – 2008)
Season 6 (2006 – 2007)
Season 5 (2005 – 2006)
Season 4 (2004 – 2005)
Season 3 (2003 – 2004)
Season 2 (2002 – 2003)
Season 1 (2001 – 2002)

Our Founder

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is the legacy of Christopher Rex, who founded it in 2001. Mr. Rex served as artistic and general director of the Festival until his passing in March 2022. For over two decades, Mr. Rex’s passion and enthusiasm helped grow the Festival to the highly acclaimed status it enjoys today.

Our Founder, Christopher Rex