The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival was founded in 2001 by Christopher Rex, a vacationer on Amelia Island and principal cellist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and a group of Fernandina Beach women, who loved chamber music. The first season was launched with a budget of only $50,000, raised by a group of generous donors. Friends also donated housing for the artists, and some artists even donated their services to help get the Festival established.

Now entering its 22nd season, the Festival has developed into one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the nation. Grants from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, National Endowment for the Arts, as well as generous corporate contributions from several local businesses, help support the Festival. However, individual contributions and ticket sales account for the majority of our funding. In addition, we continue to be a volunteer-driven Festival. An executive director and office manager are our only professional staff.