ARTHUR RUSSELL WEEK

A look forward…

In 2025, Ellsworth Community Music Institute (ECMI) made the decision to replace its longtime summer festival, Arthur Russell Week (ARW) with a more extensive program to be held during the school year. Starting in the fall, an ensemble program will be launched in Ellsworth at ECMI in order to further develop students’ musical capabilities and deepen friendships…and ultimately to expand the reach of this special programming to more students of all ages in Downeast Maine.

A look back…

In 1998, Arthur Russell Strings (ARS) began as a summer festival for young musicians to experience the wonders of musical collaboration in small groups in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

ARS was founded to honor the legacy of an avant-garde cellist, composer, singer, and musician with ties to Mount Desert Island, Maine. Arthur Russell’s work spanned the genres of classical, disco, folk, and rock. He collaborated with artists like Allen Ginsburg, Talking Heads, and Philip Glass, to name but a few. Arthur died from the effects of AIDS in 1992. Six years later a one-week festival was designed to encourage young musicians to experience the joy of musical collaboration, to form deep and lasting friendships, to benefit from professional mentors, and to share the wonder of performance.

Its founders never imagined that a year-round music school would emerge from this festival, and yet, in 2013 Ellsworth Community Music Institute (ECMI) was established! For over a decade, ECMI has continued the tradition of honoring Arthur and bringing both young and adult musicians together on Mount Desert Island, eventually renaming the festival Arthur Russell Week (ARW). Students studied and played together for a week of study at Pemetic Elementary School and performed at St. John Episcopal Church. In recent years, a special partnership was also formed with Camp Beech Cliff, offering the camp’s students an opportunity to attend the festival, and young musicians a wonderful experience outdoors.

ECMI’s founder, pianist Nancy Colter, and cellist Noreen Silver served as ARW faculty and artistic directors for over 25 years. They were joined by college-age mentors and numerous professional musicians over the years - many of whom have served as faculty at ECMI as well. Several ARW alumni went on to build acclaimed careers in music performance. 

Arthur’s legacy has inspired countless young musicians and will continue to shine brightly through new programming in development at ECMI!