Tour the 2024 Wintergreen Music Festival

season reveal with Artistic Director Erin Freeman

“When I think of the Wintergreen Music Festival, I think of inspiration, fun, beauty, connection, virtuosity, and enrichment, and 2024 is no exception! Whether you come for a day, a weekend, a week, or the entire month, you experience the magic of our beloved music community, all while surrounded by gorgeous mountain vistas and cool breezes.

Purchase your tickets now and join us for this epic season of fantastic artistry.

Here are just a few highlights below: you can also browse by calendar view, by series and day, all complete with recommended ticket packages to make your planning easy!

ORCHESTRA

The Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, an audience favorite, is back! Comprised of musicians from leading orchestras and chamber music organizations across the country, this flagship ensemble performs each weekend in MountainTop Masterworks concerts led by guest conductors, and this year has a few surprises!

NEW! – Saturday, July 6: An American Salute with Orchestra: At the generous invitation of Wintergreen Resort, the full orchestra will present an exciting family-friendly patriotic pops concert headlining the Saturday night of the July Fourth Jubilee, just before the slopeside fireworks display. You’ll hear music from Star Wars and The Sound of Music along with American classics like America the Beautiful and Stars and Stripes Forever. There will even be a few singalongs, for those who want to join our impressive roster of musicians!

Sunday, July 7: MountainTop Masterworks I — Appalachian Spring & Mozart with Rei Hotoda. Multi-talented pianist and guest conductor Rei Hotoda will lead the orchestra in Aaron Copland’s original version of Appalachian Spring and Mozart’s charming Symphony No. 29. Plus, she’ll perform the solo piano part (while leading!) for a new work by one of Wintergreen Music’s favorite composers, Jesse Montgomery. Attend on Sunday to experience the full MountainTop Masterworks concert. On Monday, July 8, extend your long weekend to attend a special, interactive performance of the Mozart paired with wine at Veritas Vineyards (Vines & Violins event – with a twist!).

Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14: MountainTop Masterworks II — “French Summer Nights” with Erin Freeman. Just in time for Bastille Day, I’ll lead the orchestra in a French-inspired program, featuring Georges Bizet’s energetic Symphony in C paired with Hector Berlioz’s summer-friendly Les Nuits d'été with our own metropolitan opera star Heather Johnson as soloist. This will also feature our Sing with Us! chorus and LEAD Cooperative student soloists in Dixit Dominus by Marianna Martines, a contemporary of Mozart.

Saturday, July 20 & Sunday, July 21: MountainTop Masterworks III — Joy, Dance & Drama – Beethoven’s 7th & More! Guest conductor Louis Lohraseb makes his Wintergreen debut in our annual Beethoven weekend, featuring Beethoven’s epic Seventh Symphony. Paired with music of Atlanta native Carlos Simon and Shostakovich’s first cello concerto (featuring Wintergreen Festival Artist David Bjella), this will surely be a highlight of the Festival!

Saturday, July 27 & Sunday, July 28: MountainTop Masterworks IV — A Striking Season Finale with Stravinsky & Rachmaninoff! Our season will conclude with guest conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya leading the orchestra in Stravinsky’s popular and magical Firebird Suite. This will be a season finale to remember with Rachmaninoff’s lush and romantic Second Piano Concerto, performed by soloist Clayton Stephenson, grand prize winner of the Nina Simone Piano Competition. 

Friday Night Fun!

Friday nights are the perfect time to unwind and kick off the weekend. Each Friday, we present a festive, pops-inspired program that is perfect for you and your friends. We have everything from the swingin’ jazz of Good Shot Judy on Opening Night (July 5) to the sultry, French strains of Edith Piaf with Tatiana Eva-Marie and the Avalon Jazz Band on July 12. We’ll also present an up-and-coming singer-songwriter (to be announced!) and, of course, our annual Bluegrass night. 

weeknight surprises

Working remotely? Need a weeklong escape? It’s easier than ever to spend time at Wintergreen during the week! You won’t be disappointed with musical options every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday featuring our signature mix of standards like Brahms’ 3rd Violin Sonata, Mozart’s Quintet for Piano and Winds, and Elgar’s String Serenade, and new discoveries including Stephen Snowden’s relevant Appalachian Polaroids, Melanie Bonis’ romantic Piano Quartet, and Miquel Aguila’s festive Second Wind Quintet. These are wonderful opportunities to experience the individual artistry and virtuosity of our Festival Artists (and LEAD students!) in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere — truly what makes our Festival unique. 

sing with us!

Our Sing with Us! experience is back, with a piece that can be best described as a mix of Vivaldi’s Gloria and a mass by Haydn or Mozart. Viennese composer Marianna Martines’ music has been overlooked for centuries, and we’re happy to present it on our Masterworks series — where it belongs! Rehearsals for Sing with Us! begin Tuesday, July 9, with performances on July 13 & 14. Learn More and pre-register today.

coffee talks

Our FREE coffee talks are back in the cozy lounge of Wintergreen Resort’s Mountain Inn. Every Monday-Friday from 9:30-10:30 am, join me as your host along with several Wintergreen Festival Artists and special guests. Expect guided tours through the music, fun stories about the composers, and even a look INSIDE (literally) some of the instruments you usually only see from afar. 

special events

Throughout the Festival, look for unique opportunities to interface with the music in new and unexpected ways. In partnership with The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen, we’ll bring music back to the trails. We’ll celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue with a tribute to George Gershwin at our annual Benefit fundraising event. And, we’ll take our signature Vines & Violins “wine and music tasting” to a whole new level, featuring the entire Wintergreen Festival Orchestra! Plus, In-Home Concerts return throughout the Festival for the ultimate intimate concert-meets-social experience.

LEAD COOPERATIVE

We are thrilled to welcome students back to the mountain for the third year of the LEAD Cooperative (Learn, Explore, Adapt, Diversify) – an innovative, grant-award-winning cross-disciplinary chamber music program designed for musicians on the cusp of their professional careers. During the last two weeks of the Festival, you’ll have countless opportunities to support the next generation of musical leaders as they hone their craft in open masterclasses, workshops, and performances.

I am thrilled to be returning for what will be my 10th summer with the Wintergreen Music Festival. Each year, I am inspired anew by the artists, the community, the music, and the stunning surroundings. Join me for yet another fabulous Festival in July!”

Cheers,

Erin Freeman, Artistic Director