Solstice Symposium 2026
Classical Guitar & Chamber Music
June 18th – 22nd, 2026

This year’s Solstice Symposium and June Concert series features chamber music with guitars, strings, and woodwinds. Led by Guest Artistic Director Carlos Bedoya, Solstice Symposium 2026 takes place over five days at Candlewood Farm in Higganum, Connecticut, and concludes with the Participants’ Concert in the Captain John Smith Barn. Private lessons, master classes, concerts, presentations and receptions are available to all fully-registered participants. In addition to guitarists, we welcome strings (including mandolinists) and woodwinds to register.

Solstice Symposium 2026 offers expert instruction and performances by Carlo Aonzo, mandolin (Italy), Pascal Archer, clarinet (Canada/USA), Carlos Bedoya, guitar (Colombia), Joshua Butcher, bassoon (USA), René Izquierdo (Cuba/USA), Adam Levin and Matthew Rohde, guitars (USA), Emlyn Ngai, violin (USA), Mia Padilla, guitar (Puerto Rico), Jason Vieaux, guitar (USA), Andrew Wilder, guitar (USA), Andrew Zohn, guitar (USA), and Jan Bartlema, guitar (Netherlands). Bartlema returns to conduct the Guitar Orchestra—a fun, collaborative effort that brings together the incredible talent that gathers at Solstice each June.

2026 Symposium Location & Dates:
Candlewood Farm
95 Jacoby Road
Higganum, CT 06441

June 18 – Thursday (day + evening)
June 19 – Friday (day + evening)
June 20 – Saturday (day + evening) ***
June 21 – Sunday (morning + afternoon) ***
June 22 – Monday (morning + afternoon)

Special Lectures & Presentations:

Thursday, June 18th at 11:00am: Dr. Ross Richer: “The Musicians Hand”

Friday, June 19th at 11:00am, Carlos Bedoya: “Planting and Preparation”

Saturday, June 20th at 11:00am, Sam Wilson: “From Sor to Tárrega – the Golden Age of Guitar”

June Concerts details are HERE.

***Concerts on June 20th and June 21st will be held at United Congregational Church of Haddam and Higganum, 23 Parsonage Rd, Higganum, CT 06441

REGISTRATION:
Registration is now CLOSED. If you are interested in attending other CFAF events, please contact us at: arts@candlewoodfarmartsfoundation.org

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The 2026 Solstice Symposium and June Concerts are made possible in part by friends and supporters of Candlewood Farm Arts Foundation.

Candlewood Farm Arts Foundation
P.O. Box 442
Higganum, CT 06441