After more than three decades as a biennial event, the Gilmore Piano Festival has announced that it will transition to an annual format beginning in 2026.
The decision, made after consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, marks a significant change for the festival, which last took place this past spring. After a one-year break in 2025, the event will return each year going forward. Additionally, the festival will be shorter in duration under its new annual model.
“We’re ready for the next chapter,” said Pierre van der Westhuizen, the festival’s executive and artistic director. “This transition is a natural evolution for The Gilmore, providing more opportunities for creativity, audience engagement, and fulfilling our mission.”
One key benefit of the change is the opportunity for more frequent collaborations with Gilmore Artist Award recipients. These artists will have increased chances to present new projects that may have previously gone unseen by festival attendees.
The new format will also allow for more commissions of classical and jazz piano works, while expanding the festival’s educational and community initiatives. By hosting the event annually, organizers aim to contribute further to Kalamazoo’s economic growth. In 2022, the 19-day festival had an estimated $4.3 million economic impact on Southwest Michigan.
“We believe an annual schedule will enhance the excitement year over year and foster more creative programming,” said Zaide Pixley, President of the Gilmore Board of Trustees. “This decision is the result of thorough research and thoughtful planning by the staff, led by Pierre.”
The first annual festival in 2026 will also coincide with the introduction of the inaugural Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award. This new accolade, modeled after the Gilmore Artist Award for classical pianists, will honor a jazz pianist selected by an anonymous committee every four years.
The Gilmore Piano Festival has a long tradition of featuring world-class jazz pianists, including legends such as Chick Corea, Ray Charles, Eliane Elias, Hiromi, and Herbie Hancock. The Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award reinforces the festival’s commitment to the genre and acknowledges jazz’s significant impact on both artists and audiences.
Seth Abramson, who oversees the award, said, “By recognizing exceptional jazz pianists alongside classical musicians, we broaden the festival’s appeal and celebrate jazz as a vital, evolving art form.”
The Gilmore Piano Festival was established in 1989 to honor Kalamazoo businessman and philanthropist Irving S. Gilmore. Over the years, it has presented 16 biennial festivals, commissioned over 40 new works for piano, and recognized nine Gilmore Artists and 40 Gilmore Young Artists.
In addition to the festival, the Gilmore presents concerts throughout the year to ensure that top-tier piano performances remain a constant presence in the region.
The organization also supports a community-driven music education program, offering neighborhood concerts, piano lessons in elementary schools, music therapy, adult group lessons, toddler-friendly concerts, summer piano camps, master classes, and more.
