What is the status of Eastern Music Festival (EMF)? 

On October 6, 2025, EMF announced plans to cease operations. EMF will soon begin the process of dissolution and transferring assets to qualified mission-aligned nonprofit organizations. 

What legacy does the organization leave behind? 

EMF is proud of its rich history and the strong legacy it leaves. Since it was founded in 1962 by Sheldon “Shelly” Morgenstern as an organization dedicated to the education and engagement of young classical musicians, more than 10,000 exceptionally talented students and fellows from 40 countries around the world have attended the summer Festival. Today, EMF alumni are part of professional orchestras across the country or leading celebrated careers in the arts and entertainment world, with many of them describing EMF as a life-changing experience that served as the foundation of their success. 

EMF is an important national institution that put the city of Greensboro on the map for music lovers everywhere. For more than six decades, the Greensboro community and visitors from across the country have enjoyed affordable access to the best of classical music and appearances by renowned special guests, including Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, André Watts, Midori, Julia Fischer, Sir James Galway, Béla Fleck, and Joshua Bell. 

In the universe of summer music festivals, EMF served as one of the most highly regarded programs of its kind in the country, known for its intense and challenging repertoire for classical music students, the invaluable educational enrichment and performance experience for rising musicians, while also offering world-class performances to the public.  

Why did Eastern Music Festival decide to close? 

The EMF board of directors made the difficult decision to dissolve the organization following nearly two years of unproductive efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory labor agreement with newly unionized faculty members. Central to a breakdown in the negotiation process was the faculty’s insistence on a model that ran counter to EMF’s core purpose, which was the education of student musicians. Without a collective bargaining agreement in place and given the faculty’s unwillingness to consider a viable path forward, EMF was forced into a position where it had little or no real ability to effectively fundraise, recruit students, or hire staff to keep the Festival going. 

What model did the faculty want adopted? 

The faculty proposed a model that would have transformed the festival orchestra into an all-professional ensemble. In their written proposals, faculty made clear that student musicians would no longer have the opportunity to participate in the orchestra unless all efforts to hire professional musicians were first exhausted.  

Historically, qualified student musicians and fellows also participated in the festival orchestra, an experience many alumni have said was the highlight of their EMF experience.  

As a further condition of finalizing a collective bargaining agreement, the faculty insisted on control of managerial, programming, and staffing decisions, including an agreement by EMF to hire a fixed number of faculty members. 

Why was EMF opposed to having a fully professional festival orchestra? 

EMF was unique in that it was a summer program focused on the education and engagement of young classical musicians. As part of this immersive experience and rigorous training, students performed in ensembles for the community and, in many cases, alongside faculty, in what became known as the Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra / Eastern Festival Orchestra. Preparing for and performing with professional musicians was one of the most impactful aspects of attending EMF for many of the students.  

EMF has never promised or fielded a festival orchestra comprised solely of professional musicians. There are many other summer music festivals around the country and year-round professional orchestras and symphonies that do that, but it has never been the centerpiece of EMF.  

Would more money from donors have saved EMF? 

An influx of donations would certainly have expanded EMF’s operating budget and helped to cover the significant cost increases EMF was facing – from rent and housing costs to insurance to increased faculty compensation. More money would not have resolved, however, the fundamental differences between faculty and management over EMF’s core purpose and mission. Moreover, the model that faculty insisted be adopted prevented EMF leadership from having the flexibility it needed to exercise responsible decision-making that matched the budget with student needs, programming, and economic realities. 

Is it true that a group of donors had collected more than $1 million in pledges, which would have fully covered the increased compensation faculty were asking for?  Why did EMF reject such a generous gift? 

A group of Greensboro community members notified the EMF board that they had, without authorization from EMF, collected more than $1 million in pledges from various donors to pay the faculty. EMF expressed willingness to consider the gift. However, the group was unwilling or unable to provide any details about the pledges – the source of the pledges, on what terms they were being offered (restricted or non-restricted), in what form (cash, real assets), and over what time frame. Without details or a finalized collective bargaining agreement, the alleged promise of pledges was not viable for the board to act on. 

Why does EMF have to be dissolved and not just handed over to the faculty or another third party who wants to keep it going? 

Legally, EMF cannot simply hand the organization over to another group, and the law prohibits a dissolving nonprofit from distributing its remaining assets to individuals, including donors, employees, or board members. EMF will comply with strict state and federal regulations, including submitting a plan detailing the distribution of assets to other tax-exempt entities, settling all debts, and officially dissolving EMF’s tax-exempt status. As part of our dissolution plan, EMF will be working to identify one or more qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations to which EMF will distribute its remaining assets, with the expectation that those entities will have a purpose and mission that aligns with EMF’s.  

What will happen to existing donations or grants? 

All funds will be used in accordance with donors’ intent and applicable grant agreements. If a refund or transfer is appropriate, we will reach out to individual donors and funders directly. If you have questions about a specific donation, please contact us at info@easternmusicfestival.org 

What will happen to the EMF staff? 

We are committed to supporting our staff through this transition. Staff have been notified and will receive assistance where possible in finding new opportunities. We are deeply grateful for their dedication to our mission. 

Who can I contact with additional questions? 

Please email us at info@easternmusicfestival.org or call 336-333-7450. We are available to respond to inquiries through December 31, 2025. 

See previous Stay Informed – Q&A Released in February 2025 following season cancellation