FOUNDED in 1975 by Dr. Don V Moses, who directed the festival for the first 25 years, instrumental and vocal performers have been making a musical pilgrimage to Eisenstadt and Vienna, Austria to attend the Classical Music Festival and perform some of the greatest music ever written. Make this year the summer for your unforgettable experience as a participant in one of Austria's longest-running and most successful summer music programs. Over the years, festival orchestras and choruses have performed nearly all of the masses composed by Joseph Haydn as well as major works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Hummel and other masters of the classical and early romantic eras.

Under the direction of artistic director and conductor, Dr. Richard Zielinski, you will have the unique opportunity to study and perform in the same setting that fostered the genius of Joseph Haydn, Beethoven, Mozart and others. Performances are held in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Bergkirche in Eisenstadt, and the Esterházy Palace, considered one of the great historic and acoustically perfect concert halls in Europe.

Recitals, lectures, tours and sightseeing are designed to enhance your knowledge of Austrian culture while complementing the busy festival schedule. You are invited to share in this wonderful and unique musical experience. It will be a privilege to welcome you to the city of Joseph Haydn, and we look forward to greeting you in August in the beautifully frescoed Haydn Hall of the Esterhazy Palace!

Richard Zielinski is known for his innovative programming and versatility as both an orchestral and choral conductor. A passionate and compelling communicator, with an extensive knowledge of classical and contemporary repertoire, he also serves as music and artistic director for the Norman Philharmonic in Oklahoma and is on the music faculty at the University of Oklahoma. Zielinski is in his 18th year as artistic director of the Classical Music Festival. He is also a recipient of the Gold Medal of Achievement for his artistic achievements and musical contributions in Eisenstadt as principal conductor and artistic director of the Classical Music Festival. Zielinski has conducted extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the United States including the opening concert for the 2014 International Haydntage with a world premiere of Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten choreographed for ballet. His professional vocal ensemble, the Richard Zielinski Singers, has recorded five CDs of music by many well known contemporary composers.

Xiaocheng Jia is associate professor of violin at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in China, a position she has held since 2004. This is her third year as concertmaster for the Classical Music Festival after having served two years as assistant concertmaster. A frequent soloist and active chamber musician, she has performed in recital and concert with many well known orchestras throughout China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States. In 2016 she was Visiting Scholar and Artist-in-Residence at Indiana State University, performing several collaborative recitals in the U.S., including with Trio Bella Voce, with whom she recently released a CD recording. She is active as a guest teacher and clinician and was part of the highly acclaimed Orchestra Kids program in Beijing. A recipient of several national violin competitions, Xiaocheng studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing for nine years before receiving her Bachelor's degree (2002) and Master's degrees (2004) in Violin Performance from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. She is also a member of the Chinese Musician's Association.

Originally from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Dr. Brian T. Kilp joined the faculty of Indiana State University in 1998 where he is Professor of Music. Dr. Kilp is Principal Horn of the Terre Haute and Danville (IL) Symphonies, a member of the THSO Brass Quintet, and is a busy freelance hornist Brian has performed and presented master classes inn Thailand, Singapore, China, and Vietnam. Dr. Kilp is a founding member of the the Ambassador Brass, which has toured in Vietnam, Thailand, China, Croatia, Hungary, and Austria. Brian has been Principal Horn since 2000, and is currently Orchestra Manager and Board member of the Classical Music Festival Orchestra in Eisenstadt, Austria. A champion of new music, he has commissioned over 15 works featuring or including the horn. He was appointed Visiting Guest Professor of Horn at the Shenyang and Dalian Conservatories of Music, Visiting Guest Professor at Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University in Thailand, and was awarded Honorary Doctorates from Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University and Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University.