Grand Teton Music Festival Announces Full Summer Programming for its Landmark 65th Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Katy Salomon | Primo Artists | VP, Public Relations 
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Saratoga Schaefer | Primo Artists | Publicist 
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Grand Teton Music Festival Announces Full Summer
Programming for its Landmark 65th Season

Including Chamber Music and Community Program Details 

2026 Festival Single Tickets on Sale Today!

Teton Village Commons Photo Courtesy of Teton Village Association

“One of America’s most impressive music festivals.” – BBC Music Magazine 

“One of the best places in this country to hear classical music
in summer lies in the shadow of the Tetons.” – The Wall Street Journal

www.gtmf.org
 

Jackson, WY (April 7, 2026) – The Grand Teton Music Festival (GTMF), led by Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles and Executive Director Emma Kail, today announces complete programs for its 2026 Benoliel Chamber Music Series, with five concerts taking place from July 9 to August 13 – including the world premiere of a new work by José González Granero, plus Kevin Lau’s The Nightingale, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale; selections from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons; and works by Fauré, Beethoven, Dvorák, Brahms, Mozart, and more, accompanied by commentary from host and Chamber Music Advisor Adelle Eslinger Runnicles. 

This season also features a robust lineup of family and community presentations, including Musical Adventures, On the Road, an outdoor Free Family Jam, pre-concert talks one hour before Festival Orchestra concerts in the Jackson Hole High School Lobby, and open rehearsals at 10:00 AM on any Friday in the Festival Orchestra series at the Jackson Hole High School Auditorium ($20 tickets). Tickets to all of GTMF’s 65th anniversary season programs, which run from July 2 to August 15, go on sale today, April 7, via the Festival website or by phone at 307.733.1128. The full schedule of 2026 summer programs is available at gtmf.org.

GTMF’s 2026 Benoliel Chamber Music Series features the artistry of world-class Festival Musicians in an intimate and welcoming setting on Thursdays at 7:00 PM during the Festival season. Attendees can enjoy core classical repertoire and family-friendly tunes from July 9 through August 13 at Jackson Hole High School Auditorium. The Benoliel Chamber Music Series offers five weekly programs featuring Festival Musicians and guest artists such as pianist Tanner Jorden (July 9) and violinist Maria Ioudenitch (July 30) in small ensembles performing repertoire ranging from Brahms, Vivaldi, Dvorák, Beethoven, André LaFosse, Mozart, and more to music by contemporary composers such as Kevin Lau, Anna Clyne, Caroline Shaw, and José González Granero, whose piece Hojoki receives its world premiere on Thursday, July 30 at 7:00 PM. 

Featured this year are chamber music programs Light & Shadow (July 9), a pan-European collection of masterworks; Brahms & Dvorák (July 16), complete with folk influences, a heartfelt literary connection, and some inventive instrumentation; Fairy Tales, Four Seasons & A World Premiere (July 30), featuring a musical fairy tale for all ages narrated by Stoner Family Education Curator Meaghan Heinrich; From the Heart (August 6), contrasting string quartets by Kevin Lau and Beethoven; and Little Miracles (August 13), with works by two living female composers and pieces by masters of centuries past. Complete chamber music programs are listed below. Tickets are $35 for adults and $5 for children and students. 

The Grand Teton Music Festival is committed to engaging with its community through interactive programs that reach people of all ages. A myriad of offerings provide instruction, fun, and learning for thousands in Jackson and its neighboring communities. Musical Adventures continue this summer, June 29 through August 12, led by GTMF Stoner Family Education Curator Meaghan Heinrich. These free events are fun, informative, and engaging music sessions for young children and their adult caretakers. Geared toward listeners up to age five, the sessions are also accessible for all ages, and held downtown at Jackson Hole Land Trust’s Greenspace on the Block on Monday mornings, in Teton Village on Tuesday mornings, and in the Idaho communities of Driggs, Victor, and Tetonia on selected Wednesdays.

Families will discover how percussion instruments function and create their own instrument to take home, join Meaghan Heinrich for a fun sing-along, and enjoy a free healthy lunch from Hole Food Rescue’s Sprout Mobile on July 3, July 22, and July 30.

On the Road events bring live classical music to audiences in Teton County and surrounding communities through free concerts presented in partnership with community organizations in accessible locations, ranging from Teton Science School’s Murie Ranch in Grand Teton National Park, the Teton Raptor Center, the Alta Library, Jackson Hole History Museum, Shepherd of the Mountains Church, and Pierre’s Theatre in Victor, Idaho. Participating ensembles feature members of the Festival Orchestra. Meaghan Heinrich leads programs that are appealing to all ages and bring the music to life with explanations and demonstrations. 

GTMF will host the 9th Annual Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship Competition on July 18 & 19. The competition is open to graduating high school seniors from Wyoming, Idaho, or Montana who are pursuing a music degree in college. Six semi-finalists are invited to perform for a panel of judges, including Maestro Runnicles; Jerry Hou, Music Director of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra; and Stephanie Key, a Festival clarinetist and Musician Board Member. Three finalists are chosen to compete for $50,000 in scholarship awards, and – new in 2026 – the first-prize winner will be invited to perform as a soloist with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra in its upcoming season. The semi-finals and finals on July 18 & 19 at Jackson Hole High School are free and open to the public. The application deadline for competitors is Monday, May 4. More details at gtmf.org/scholarship.

New this year is GTMF’s Classical Music Listening Club, which is free and open to the public on select Mondays at 1:00 PM at Teton County Library in Jackson. Suitable for interested novices and seasoned fans alike, this adult education group will explore the history, theory, and stories behind epic classical works each week. Led by Stoner Family Education Curator Meaghan Heinrich, participants can prepare for the coming weekend’s Festival Orchestra concerts or simply join the discussion in the Classical Music Listening Club. 

Another new partnership this year is Downtown Sounds: Strings & Arias – GTMF, Teton Valley Chamber Music Festival (TVCMF), and the Downtown Driggs Association present a special classical music night in Teton Valley. Hosted by Heinrich, musicians from GTMF and TVCMF will join forces for an unforgettable celebration of music and community.

The 2026 Festival Orchestra Series features gems across the classical repertoire and renowned soloists, including Maria Ioudenitch, Madeline Adkins, Eleni Calenos, Daniel Luis Espinal, and José González Granero, alongside GTMF’s own Festival Orchestra musicians led by Sir Donald Runnicles. The Festival Orchestra is the heart of GTMF and includes Rachmaninoff & Tchaikovsky’s Fifth on July 10 and July 11, featuring pianist Tanner Jorden, a 2021 Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship winner; Shostakovich & Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto on July 17 and July 18, featuring clarinetist José González Granero; Melodies of Britain on July 31 and August 1, featuring violinist Maria Ioudenitch; Beethoven & Korngold on August 7 and August 8, featuring violinist Madeline Adkins; and the Festival Finale: Night at the Opera on August 14 and August 15, featuring soprano Eleni Calenos and tenor Daniel Luis Espinal.

Two weeks of outdoor concerts will be held this year: at the Center for the Arts Lawn in downtown Jackson from July 2 - 4 and Teton Village Commons on July 24 & 25. Performances include Opening Night: From the Stage to the Silver Screen (July 2), a free Family Jam with host and Stoner Family Education Curator Meaghan Heinrich (July 3), the Jayne & Al Hilde, Jr. Patriotic Pops led by conductor Donato Cabrera and featuring soloist Capathia Jenkins (July 4), Music of the American West, which brings the wide-open landscapes of the American West to life in a rousing program of classic Western tunes (July 24), and Fantasia 2026, a special night of classical favorites including selections from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Nutcracker Suite, Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours, an excerpt from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, and Dukas’ Sorcerer's Apprentice (July 25). 

The 2026 Gateway Series presents renowned artists from a variety of musical genres, and this year brings energetic Broadway, chorus, and folk music to the Center for the Arts Theater. Highlighted performers include The King’s Singers (July 6), the GRAMMY® and Emmy award-winning ensemble with a diverse program ranging from The Beatles and Disney favorites to choral standards; the GRAMMY®-winning virtuosic acoustic quintet Punch Brothers (July 27), comprised of mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Brittany Haas; and Give Our Regards to Broadway (August 3), with leading ladies of Broadway taking center stage in an unforgettable evening of songs from the world of musicals featuring shining vocalists Cassondra James (The Queen of Versailles), Kate Loprest (First Date, Hairspray), and Andrea Ross (Whistle Down The Wind) with artistic director and conductor Andy Einhorn.

New in 2026 is the Teton House Concert Series, taking place in exquisite, private homes throughout Teton County, WY. Experience the virtuosity of Festival Musicians performing chamber music in curated, intimate settings. These one-of-a-kind social and musical experiences include a cocktail hour, performance, and time to mingle with world-class musicians. Performers include pianist Tanner Jorden, violinist Caroline Jorden, harpist Elisabeth Remy Johnson, violinist David Coucheron, violist Susan Gulkis Assadi, cellist Silver Ainomäe, and flutist Mercedes Smith. Tickets are limited and go on sale today, April 7. The complete program is listed below. 

2026 SUMMER SEASON DETAILS

Season Calendar HERE

Free Community Events Calendar HERE

2026 Festival Orchestra Series

Jackson Hole High School Auditorium | Jackson, WY
Tickets: General Admission $40-$75; Children/students $5. Open Rehearsals at the Jackson Hole High School Auditorium, Fridays, July 10, 17 & 31 - August 7 & 14 at 10:00 AM, $20.

Rachmaninoff & Tchaikovsky’s Fifth
Friday, July 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM 

Program:
Key – Star Spangled Banner
Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 

Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor
Tanner Jorden, piano (2021 Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship winner)

Shostakovich & Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto
Friday, July 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Program:
Barber – The School for Scandal Overture
Mozart – Clarinet Concerto
Shostakovich – Symphony No. 1

Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor
José González Granero, clarinet

Melodies of Britain
Friday, July 31, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM 

Program:
James MacMillan – Britannia
Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto
Haydn – Symphony No. 104, “London”         

Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor
Maria Ioudenitch, violin

Beethoven & Korngold
Friday, August 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Program:
Barry – Themes from Out of Africa and Dances With Wolves
Korngold – Violin Concerto
Beethoven – Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral” 

Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor
Madeline Adkins, violin

Festival Finale: Night at the Opera
Friday, August 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Program:
Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4, “Italian”
Puccini – Scenes, Interludes, Arias  

Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor
Eleni Calenos, soprano
Daniel Luis Espinal, tenor

2026 Gateway Series

Center for the Arts Theater, Jackson, WY

The King’s Singers
Monday, July 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $45-$85; Children/students $5 

The King’s Singers have set the gold standard in a cappella singing on the world’s greatest stages for over 55 years. Renowned for their unrivalled technique, musicianship, and versatility, the GRAMMY® and Emmy award-winning ensemble performs a diverse program ranging from The Beatles and Disney favorites to choral standards.

Punch Brothers
Monday, July 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $65-$105; Children/students $5

Punch Brothers, formed in 2006, are a virtuosic quintet featuring mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny, and violinist Brittany Haas. Known for pushing the boundaries of acoustic music, the band has garnered critical acclaim, including a GRAMMY® for Best Folk Album for All Ashore (2018). These trailblazers in contemporary acoustic music bring “bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage, drawing equal inspiration from the brain and the heart.” – The Washington Post

Give Our Regards to Broadway
Monday, August 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $45-$85; Children/students $5

Leading ladies of Broadway take center stage in an unforgettable evening of songs from the world of musicals featuring shining vocalists Cassondra James (The Queen of Versailles), Kate Loprest (First Date, Hairspray), and Andrea Ross (Whistle Down The Wind) with artistic director and conductor Andy Einhorn. From Julie to Carol to Barbra to Audra and more, experience a tour through the ages as we celebrate the iconic divas of the Broadway stage! 

Andy Einhorn, artistic director & piano
Cassondra James, vocalist
Kate Loprest, vocalist
Andrea Ross, vocalist

2026 Benoliel Chamber Music Series

Thursdays, July 9, 16, 30 & August 6, 13, 2026

Light & Shadow
Thursday, July 9 at 7:00 PM
Jackson Hole High School Auditorium | Jackson, WY
Tickets: General Admission $35; Children/students $5

Arnold – Brass Quintet No. 1
Fauré  – Nocturne No. 6 in D-flat Major
Weinberg – String Trio
Beethoven – Piano Trio in E-flat Major, No. 2

This pan-European collection of masterworks evokes the rich sonic chiaroscuro of a bygone chamber music salon. Darkness, brightness, and the moonlit space in between make this program a treat for every fan of close-enough-to-touch musical experiences.  

Festival Musicians

Tanner Jorden, piano

Brahms & Dvorák
Thursday, July 16 at 7:00 PM
Jackson Hole High School Auditorium | Jackson, WY
Tickets: General Admission $35; Children/students $5

Bax – Elegiac Trio
Dvorák – String Quintet No. 2 in G Major
Kevin Lau – A Simple Secret
Brahms – Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano in E-flat Major

Folk influences, a heartfelt literary connection, and some inventive instrumentation make this suite of pieces a fascinating expansion of the typical chamber music soundworld. Don't miss this chance to hear from GTMF musicians who don't always get to share the spotlight.   

Festival Musicians

Fairy Tales, Four Seasons & A World Premiere
Thursday, July 30 at 7:00 PM
Jackson Hole High School Auditorium | Jackson, WY
Tickets: General Admission $35; Children/students $5

Kevin Lau – The Nightingale
Vivaldi – The Four Seasons: Selections
            Spring
            Winter
José González Granero – Hojoki [World Premiere]

Join Festival Musicians and Stoner Family Education Curator Meaghan Heinrich as they present a musical fairy tale for all ages. Composer Kevin Lau tells the story of Hans Christian Andersen's The Nightingale on a program with selections from Vivaldi's timeless The Four Seasons, featuring violinist Maria Ioudenitch, and a world premiere by Festival musician & composer José González Granero. 

Festival Musicians
Maria Ioudenitch, violin

From the Heart
Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 PM
Jackson Hole High School Auditorium | Jackson, WY
Tickets: General Admission $35; Children/students $5 

Mozart – String Duo No. 1 in G Major
Kevin Lau  – and from the heart there flows a song
Andre LaFosse – Suite Impromptu
Kevin Lau  – String Quartet No. 7, “Surfacing”
Beethoven – String Quartet in F Major, No. 1

Contrasting string quartets by Kevin Lau and Beethoven highlight the emotional range of every Grand Teton Music Festival chamber music setting. Festival Orchestra brass players share the stage with their string section colleagues in a concert that features an intoxicating mix of the familiar and the new.  

Festival Musicians

Little Miracles
Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 PM
Jackson Hole High School Auditorium | Jackson, WY
Tickets: General Admission $35; Children/students $5

Caroline Shaw  – Entr’acte
Mozart – Horn Quintet in E-flat Major
Anna Clyne – Strange Loops
Vaughan Williams – Piano Quintet in C Minor

Good things. Small packages. The 2026 Benoliel Chamber Music Series comes to a close with works by two living female composers and pieces by masters of centuries past. Nothing less than the full circle of human expression is on display in this program of miniature masterpieces.

Festival Musicians 

Teton House Concert Series

Experience the virtuosity of our Festival Musicians performing chamber music in exquisite homes throughout Teton County, WY. These one-of-a-kind social and musical experiences include a cocktail hour, performance, and mingling with world-class musicians. Tickets are limited and go on sale today, April 7. 

In Harmony
Wednesday, July 8 at 5:00 PM
Shooting Star | Teton Village
Tickets: General Admission $150; Children/students $45

Tanner and Caroline Jorden demonstrate an unmatched synchronicity that earned them top honors at the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition. This program highlights their partnership, blending Tanner’s fierce technical command with Caroline’s sophisticated, lyrical violin tone. Together, they'll share their love of the chamber music experience in this first installment of the Teton House Concert Series, presenting world-class music in unforgettable private homes. 

Thank you to our hosts for this Teton House Concert, Terri Smith & Ted Burke.

Tanner Jorden, piano
Caroline Jorden, violin

The Harp’s Voice
Wednesday, July 15 at 5:00 PM
John Dodge Road, Wilson
Tickets: General Admission $150; Children/students $45

Join Atlanta Symphony Principal Harpist Elisabeth Remy Johnson for an evening of transcendent beauty. Renowned for her tireless advocacy for women composers, Johnson brings the harp’s delicate resonance into the warmth of a home environment. This unique opportunity to witness the greatness of a true orchestral legend firsthand is not to be missed.

Thank you to our hosts for this Teton House Concert, Charles & Michele Goodman.

Elisabeth Remy Johnson, harp

Stradivarius Spotlighted
Wednesday, July 29 at 5:00 PM
Crescent H Road, Wilson
Tickets: General Admission $150; Children/students $45

Festival Musicians David Coucheron (Concertmaster, Atlanta Symphony), Susan Gulkis Assadi (former Principal Viola, Seattle Symphony), and Silver Ainomäe (Associate Principal Cello, Minnesota Orchestra) come together for an intimate program of string trios. These exceptional artists offer an unfiltered look at the passion, interplay and elegance that define world-class chamber music.

Thank you to our hosts for this Teton House Concert, Carolyn Vaughan & John Massucco. 

David Coucheron, violin
Susan Gulkis Assadi, viola
Silver Ainomäe, cello

Flute in Focus
Wednesday, August 5 at 5:00 PM
Fall Creek Road, Wilson
Tickets: General Admission $150; Children/students $45 

Mercedes Smith, Principal Flutist of the Utah Symphony, performs in a rare, up-close recital. This program showcases her supple tone and the agile technique that has been the foundation of a career both in the opera and orchestral worlds. Join us in this one-of-a-kind chance to experience her musical genius firsthand. 

Thank you to our hosts for this Teton House Concert, Lisa & Steve Nesbitt. 

Mercedes Smith, flute 

Outdoor Concerts Series

Opening Night: From the Stage to the Silver Screen
Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Center for the Arts Lawn | Jackson, WY
Tickets: Reserved seats – $35-$50 adults, $15 Children/students; lawn seats – free
Donato Cabrera, conductor

Celebrate the opening night of GTMF’s 65th season with the music of Broadway and film performed by the Festival Orchestra. Familiar favorites and iconic scores take center stage with themes from Carousel, Superman, Vertigo, and a celebration of iconic American film composer John Williams, with music from Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and more. Conductor Donato Cabrera makes his GTMF debut.

Free Family Jam
Friday, July 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Center for the Arts Lawn | Jackson, WY
Tickets: Free, but ticketed
Timothy Constable, assistant conductor
Meaghan Heinrich, host

Sing, dance, and celebrate the summer with the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra! Enjoy symphonic music outdoors on the Center for the Arts Lawn. Fun for all ages—bring a picnic and enjoy the show, conducted by Timothy Constable and hosted by Stoner Family Education Curator Meaghan Heinrich.

Jayne & Al Hilde, Jr. Patriotic Pops
Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Center for the Arts Lawn | Jackson, WY
Tickets: Reserved seats – $35-$50 adults, $15 Children/students; lawn seats – free 

Donato Cabrera, conductor
Capathia Jenkins, vocalist

Festival favorite Capathia Jenkins returns to celebrate the Fourth of July with the Festival Orchestra in this festive Jackson Hole tradition. Conductor Donato Cabrera makes his GTMF debut, leading a program of patriotic & American music including Copland, Sousa, John Williams, and more. 

Music of the American West
Friday, July 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Teton Village Commons | Teton Village, WY
Tickets: Reserved seats – $35-$50 adults, $5 Children/students; lawn seats – free
Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor

Celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary with true Jackson Hole spirit! The Festival Orchestra, led by Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles, brings the wide-open landscapes of the American West to life in a rousing program of classical Western tunes, including Copland’s Rodeo, excerpts from Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite, Young’s Shane Suite, and more.

Fantasia 2026
Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Teton Village Commons | Teton Village, WY
Tickets: Reserved seats – $35-$50 adults, $5 Children/students; lawn seats – free
Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor

The Festival Orchestra is the heart of GTMF. While Walk Festival Hall is renovated, join us for a special night of classical favorites overlooking the Hall on Teton Village Commons, led by Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles. Tap your feet and dance along to Dance of the Hours, selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and more. 

About the Grand Teton Music Festival (GTMF)

Each summer, the Grand Teton Music Festival unites over 250 celebrated orchestral musicians led by Music Director Sir Donald Runnicles. These musicians represent 84 orchestras and 72 institutions of higher learning in North America and Europe. In addition to orchestral concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, the summer season also features visiting guest artists and chamber music on weekdays.

The 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 10 music festivals in the U.S. and chosen by BBC Music Magazine as their 2020 “Festival Choice,” it is the most prominent arts organization in the state of Wyoming and a national treasure.

GTMF’s mission is to engage, entertain, educate, and inspire our resident and seasonal communities through exhilarating musical experiences. We feature orchestral, chamber, and solo performances of primarily classical music by world-class artists, and we foster a culture that draws outstanding musicians to Jackson Hole in support of this mission. For more information, visit gtmf.org.

All programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.

Download photos here.

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