About The Garth Newel Music Center
Inspired chamber music, education, and hospitality in the heart of virginia’s Allegheny mountains.
Founded in 1973, Garth Newel Music Center is a year-round chamber music venue situated in the heart of Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. The Center presents more than 50 concerts each year, featuring the Garth Newel Piano Quartet and other renowned guest musicians, with performances paired with gourmet meals and optional overnight lodging on its historic 114-acre property.
At the heart of Garth Newel’s artistic life is the Garth Newel Piano Quartet, the Center’s resident ensemble and a leading voice in chamber music performance, education, and new music.
Few places in the country offer world-class chamber music, immersive education, fine dining, and historic lodging within a single, intimate setting.
OUR Mission…
…to provide exceptional chamber music experiences and educational opportunities in an intimate setting rich with natural beauty, history, and hospitality.
History of Garth Newel
A “New Hearth” in the Mountains
Garth Newel — derived from a Welsh phrase meaning “new hearth” or “new home” — was named by artist William Sergeant Kendall and his wife, Christine Herter Kendall, who built the estate in the 1920s as a place for art, music, and conversation. The Kendalls welcomed fellow artists, musicians, and friends from around the world to their mountain home, where creativity and culture flourished amid the natural landscape.
From Private Estate to Public Music Center
Following William Kendall’s death, Christine Herter Kendall continued to steward the property, eventually donating much of it to the Girl Scouts before reclaiming it in the late 1960s. In 1973, she partnered with musicians Luca and Arlene Di Cecco to establish the Garth Newel Music Center Foundation, ultimately donating the property to the Foundation when she passed away in 1981. The former indoor riding ring - once used to train the Kendalls’ prize-winning Arabian horses - was transformed into a concert hall, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the property’s artistic life.
Music, Learning, and Community
Beyond its concert series, Garth Newel is home to a wide range of educational programs that nurture musicians at every stage. These include the Emerging Artist Fellowship Program, an intensive summer chamber music experience for college-age musicians; the Amateur Chamber Music Retreat, welcoming adult musicians each spring; and the Allegheny Mountain String Project, which provides high-quality music education to children across Bath, Alleghany, and Highland counties.
Carrying the Vision Forward
Today, Garth Newel Music Center continues to honor its founders’ vision through world-class performances, innovative education programs, and a welcoming environment that encourages connection between artists and audiences. Its historic buildings, scenic setting, and commitment to excellence make each visit a complete and memorable experience.
Garth Newel Music Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to artistic excellence, education, and community engagement.
