Grand Teton Music Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grand Teton Music Festival |
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Walk Festival Hall at Grand Teton Music Festival
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| Genre | Classical |
| Dates | July - August |
| Location(s) | Jackson Hole, Wyoming, United States |
| Years active | 1962 - Present |
| Attendance | 16,000 |
| Website | gtmf.org |
The Grand Teton Music Festival is a cool place in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where you can enjoy classical music all year round. It's a non-profit organization, which means it's not trying to make money, but rather share music with everyone. This festival started way back in 1962!
The main part of the festival is a seven-week summer event. It brings together over 200 amazing classical musicians. These musicians come from more than 90 different orchestras and 40 universities! The festival offers lots of different musical experiences. You can enjoy family events, chamber music (music for small groups), and big orchestra concerts. They also have special events throughout the year. These include winter festivals, live opera shows, and community concerts.
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History of the Grand Teton Music Festival
The Grand Teton Music Festival began in 1962. It was first part of the Jackson Hole Fine Arts Festival. Early conductors like Ernest Hagen and George Hufsmith led the orchestra.
In 1968, Ling Tung became the new music director. He moved the concerts to a big tent in Teton Village, Wyoming. Before that, they were held at Jackson Lake Lodge and the high school gym. In 1974, the festival got a permanent building at the base of Rendezvous Mountain.
After Ling Tung retired in 1996, other great conductors took over. Eiji Oue was the music director from 1997 to 2003. Then, Peter Oundjian helped lead the festival in 2004 and 2005. Since 2006, Donald Runnicles has been the music director. He still holds this important job today!
Who Were the Music Directors?
- 1962–1964: Ernest Hagen
- 1965–1966: George Hufsmith
- 1968–1996: Ling Tung
- 1997–2003: Eiji Oue
- 2006–present: Donald Runnicles
What Kind of Music Can You Hear?
The Grand Teton Music Festival puts on about 100 events each year. These include talks about music, free concerts for families, and small chamber music performances. You can also enjoy big orchestral concerts and open rehearsals.
The Festival Orchestra is a group of musicians who play together. Their size changes depending on the music, from 70 to over 100 players. These musicians come from top orchestras all over the country. Each summer, the music director leads many of the main concerts. These concerts often feature a special soloist.
Special Concert Series
The GTMF Presents Series brings different artists to Jackson Hole. These artists are often influenced by classical music. They might be visiting soloists or popular musicians who mix different styles.
The Met: Live in HD is a cool partnership. The festival works with a local group called Center of Wonder. They show live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. You can watch these amazing opera performances in high definition!
Movies on the Mountain is a fun series for families. They show movies for free at Walk Festival Hall. It's a great way to enjoy some entertainment together.
Winter Festival Fun
The Winter Festival started in 2015–2016. It's a four-day celebration in February. This festival features different classical and crossover concerts. Visiting artists also perform in schools. The winter events happen at various places around Jackson.
New Music and Premieres
The Grand Teton Music Festival loves to present new music. In recent years, they have shown many new pieces. This is because Music Director Donald Runnicles thinks new works are very important.
Many pieces have had their first performance at the festival. These are called "world premieres." Some pieces have also had their first performance in the United States or the Western U.S.
Learning About Music
The festival works with local groups and schools. They want to help people of all ages learn about music. The Grand Teton Music Festival has different programs all year long. These include scholarships, a program called Tune-Up, and school visits.
Tune-Up Program
Tune-Up is the festival's main music education program. It has been helping local school bands and orchestras since 2004. Tune-Up provides teachers who are also professional musicians. They have lots of knowledge about different instruments. These teaching artists give private lessons. They also help lead rehearsals for school bands and orchestras in Jackson Hole.
Open the Hall
Every spring, the Grand Teton Music Festival opens Walk Festival Hall. This is for local band, orchestra, and choir students. It lets them perform in a professional setting. It's a great chance for young musicians to experience playing on a big stage!
See also
- List of classical music festivals
