Midori to receive Kennedy Center honors for Lifetime Artistic Achievement

Amelia Island Chamber Music
Press Release
March 23, 2021

“The Chamber Music Festival is excited to be presenting Midori in recital with two performances at the beautiful Amelia Plantation Chapel together with pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute on Friday, April 9, 2021, at 3 pm and 7 pm.”

Midori to receive Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival applauds the news that Midori, world-renowned violinist, will be an honoree of the 43rd Kennedy Center Honors Ceremony in May, along with multi-disciplinary artist, choreographer, actress Debbie Allen, singer-songwriter Joan Baez, country singer-songwriter Garth Brooks, and actor Dick Van Dyke.

The Chamber Music Festival is excited to be presenting Midori in recital with two performances at the beautiful Amelia Plantation Chapel together with pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute on Friday, April 9, 2021, at 3 pm and 7 pm.“This is truly a rare opportunity to see a legendary artist perform in a beautifully intimate setting. Midori’s performance affirms the Festival’s commitment to bringing world-class musicians to our community,” said the Festival’s President Emma Mills Bledsoe.

The Kennedy Center Honors recipients are recognized for their contributions to American culture through the performing arts. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. “The Kennedy Center Honors serves as a moment to celebrate the remarkable artists who have spent their lives elevating the cultural history of our nation and world,” said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein.

“From an early age,” said Midori, “I have been gifted with extraordinary experiences. I consider them to be my treasure and fortune that I might now draw upon. I wish to accomplish much going forward. My plans are to be making music again, in both pioneering and traditional ways, to sing out and to stir what lies within us, to describe mysteries, of the heart and of the mind. So, in the spirit of peace and connectivity through this country and the world, I am thrilled to be a recipient of one of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, as we, together, reach toward renewed expression of the dreams and hopes that unify us all.” “Artists have a singular responsibility, through our work and deeds, to echo and mirror our society and serve its needs. As a new chapter of life is about to begin for all of us, I especially feel the current moment’s necessities and opportunities to explore a spring of new and preserved energies and discoveries, to play my part in seeking various avenues and forms of creativity and recovery,” she said.

Christopher Rex, the Festival’s General and Artistic Director, said, “hosting Midori and the other world-class musical artists this season reflects the Festival’s growing status as one of the nation’s premier classical music festivals. We are thrilled that Midori will be gracing our stage on Amelia Island. This is a testimony to support we’ve received from the Amelia Island community and our many contributors, ticket-buyers, and volunteers,”

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival celebrates its 20th season with a wide array of internationally recognized award-winning superstars from multiple genres.

Respecting the safety of both musicians and the audience, the Festival has arranged for both live and virtual venues. Information about Midori and all concerts and tickets is available at www.AICMF.com. About the Amelia Island Chamber Music FestivalCelebrating its 20th Anniversary season, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is one of the nation’s most renowned classical music festivals. The Festival is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.# # #Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival1405 Park Avenue, Suite 101 – Fernandina Beach Florida 32034 – www.AICMF.com