Jackson, WY, May 13, 2020 – Grand Teton Music Festival (GTMF) announced today the cancellation of its summer festival in favor of an immersive filmed experience that will be streamed on August 21, 22, and 23 – what would have been the final days of the 2020 Festival.
Grand Teton Music Festival is one of America’s leading summer classical music festivals. Recognized by The New York Times as one of the top ten music festivals in the U.S., and chosen by BBC Music Magazine as the “Festival of Choice 2020,” it is the most prominent arts organization in the state of Wyoming and a national treasure.
Festival Co-Chairs Barbara McCelvey and John Costello comment: “It is with very heavy hearts that the Board has made this decision, as we know how much the community of Jackson Hole loves our music festival. However, our first responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of our audiences, musicians, guest artists, staff, and the people of Teton County – and canceling the in-person festival is, sadly, the only way to do that. We are tremendously grateful to the many donors and community leaders who continue to stand with us in this difficult time, and we look forward to coming together for the exciting 60th Season of GTMF in 2021.“
Meanwhile, in August 2020, safety permitting, a smaller group of GTMF musicians will come together under the baton of Music Director Donald Runnicles to record and filmMusic from the Mountains, three concerts of inspiring music in Walk Festival Hall. The repertoire will provisionally include music by Beethoven, Mozart, Copland, and Ravel, as well as works from some of the important female composers due to be performed at this year’s Festival. The programs will stream online on August 21, 22 and 23, and will appear on TV in the fall, and GTMF is very pleased to welcome two media partners for this project: BBC Music Magazine and Wyoming PBS. Audiences will be able to view the programs on BBC Music Magazine’s website and over three consecutive Fridays in the fall on Wyoming PBS TV.
Music Director Donald Runnicles comments: “The world is craving beauty and serenity in this moment of great uncertainty; and for us to make music this August for our audiences, in whatever configuration is safe and feasible, will be a joy for me and our wonderful GTMF musicians. May Music from the Mountains inspire us through the great repertoire of past and present, reaffirming the profound bond of humanity that prevails even through the hardest of times.”
Interim Executive Director Simon Woods comments: “Over recent weeks, we’ve been dreaming about what a virtual summer season could look and sound like, and how we could fulfill our mission in ways other than through live concerts. With great music-making exquisitely filmed, interviews and other filmed footage, we hope to bring into people’s homes the unique magic of music, people and nature that makes Grand Teton Music Festival so very special.”
The project will also include a program of related online content that will be available to high schools across Wyoming. Through a listening guide, and a series of short videos about instruments and repertoire, the talent of GTMF’s musicians will be an inspiration for young people across the State.
Please visit gtmf.org for updates on viewing times and details.