JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Grand Teton Music Festival was again recognized by The New York Times as one of the top classical summer music festivals of 2018. This marks the third consecutive year the program has been nationally recognized in the annual summer festivals feature—the only music festival in the West to garner this accolade the past three years.
CEO and president of GTMF, Andrew Palmer Todd, said, “This acknowledgement speaks volumes about our Music Director Donald Runnicles and the Festival Orchestra. Because of Donald’s artistic leadership, the Grand Teton Music Festival is the place to be for classical music for musicians and audience members alike.”
Following another record-setting season celebrating the Total Solar Eclipse and featuring Yo-Yo Ma as the Fundraising Gala artist, GTMF’s star continues to rise. Total summer attendance increased 60% from 9,800 in 2014 to 15,700 in 2017.
The 2018 “Star-Spangled Season” begins July 2. In its 57th season, Grand Teton Music Festival joins the world in celebrating Leonard Bernstein’s centennial birthday with works from American-born composers, works inspired by the USA, and favorites from American repertoire.
At the heart of the Grand Teton Music Festival is the Festival Orchestra, performing Friday and Saturday nights with the world’s best soloists. Led by Music Director Donald Runnicles, the Festival opens with piano superstar Daniil Trifonov and closes with a fully cast concert adaptation of Bernstein’s consummate work West Side Story. The Festival welcomes conductors Markus Stenz, Stéphane Denève, and Julian Rachlin. Violinist Leila Josefowicz and pianist Kirill Gerstein make their Jackson Hole debuts.
The annual Fundraising Gala concert with Audra McDonald, the most decorated performer in Broadway history, is July 19. Additional festival highlights include legendary bass player Edgar Meyer (July 24), world-renowned quintet Canadian Brass (August 8), pianist Kirill Gerstein performing Rhapsody in Blue (July 18), and a Broadway Revue (August 15).
The Grand Teton Music Festival continues to support innovation with new commissions by Sean Shepherd and its first ever composer-in-residence, Kareem Roustom.
