on location: west â?–
manny vega
Music in the Mountains
Groups in Wyoming enjoy high-brow culture at high altitudes
S
oon after the midsummer mark, musicians from all over the country flock to
Teton Village, Wyoming, an oasis of civilization amidst multiple national parks and forests. Known as Jackson Hole, this valley houses the municipalities of
Jackson as well as Teton Village, the home of the Grand Teton Music Festival. The Grand Teton Music Festival hosts orchestra and chamber concerts in the summer festival and a short concert series in the winter. During the festival over 200 orchestra musicians from all over the country assemble in Jackson Hole to make music together. Many of them come from prestigious orchestras such as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. Some musicians have been coming back every summer for over 25 years. In addition to the impressive roster of musicians, the festival’s concert facility, Walk Festival Hall, has been praised by both listeners and performers for its superior acoustics and friendly atmosphere. Built in 1974, the hall has comfortable, amphitheaterstyle seating with clear sightlines, a professional sound system, and enough space to accommodate on-stage receptions and banquets. The hall had a grand re-opening in 2007 after a 10-month, $4.85-million project to maintain its acoustics. The hall also received additional soundproofing as well as functional and aesthetic upgrades. If having renowned performers and an excellent concert hall were not enough, the
36 April 2012
LeisureGroupTravel.com
Donald Runnicles directs the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra as it performs a Mahler symphony during a 50th anniversary performance.
The Festival’s Music in the Hole event on the Fourth of July draws 8,000 people.
Grand Teton Music Festival is also proud to have Music Director Donald Runnicles leading the charge. “The festival is very lucky to have him as its music director,” says Mike Swanson, co-director of marketing. “He oversees everything dealing with artistic direction including programming, musician and guest artist selection, and all commercial releases.” Originally from Scotland, Runnicles has achieved international fame in the fine music industry and is consistently acclaimed as a conductor of opera and symphonic music. “He is a renowned opera conductor and has been slowly introducing this genre to Jackson Hole,” says Swanson. “We are the only place that offers The Met: Live in HD in Wyoming, and this summer he will be leading the Festival Orchestra in excerpts from Wagner’s most famous opera, Die Walküre, with three guest vocalists.” Along with the work he does with the GTMF, Runnicles is also the general music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, chief conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony and principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The Grand Teton Music Festival is an active member of the Jackson Hole community and spreads the joy of music through educational programs as well as performances. The festival puts on various programs that expose young adults to classical music. As part of its community outreach, the GTMF offers pre-concert talks, open rehearsals and
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on location: west â?–
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the option to download music from
Festival Hall was built six years later.
past seasons.
Last year the festival observed its 50th
The Grand Teton Music Festival
anniversary with special dedications
has come a long way since its humble
and celebrations.
beginnings in 1962. The festival was
The festival’s summer season be-
originally produced by the Fine Arts
gins in July and runs well into August
Guild as part of the Jackson Hole Fine
with events scheduled most days of
Arts Festival. Local volunteers gave
the week. The festival offers many
time, money and energy to put it all to-
discounts and special deals. Groups
gether. The first few seasons included
of 12 or more to a single concert re-
dance, film, visual art and music; ven-
ceive a 20% discount off single-ticket
ues included gyms, lodges and lawns.
prices. The festival also offers din-
The festival moved to Teton Village
ner-and-concert packages.
in 1967, when it was given a rent-free
When not attending festival per-
site for a concert tent, but it soon be-
formances, visitors to the Jackson
came clear the program would need
Hole area will find plenty to do. The
a permanent hall and a full-time music
festival is located in the heart of Teton
director. In 1968 the festival hired Ling
Village and within walking distance of
Tung, a prominent violinist turned con-
lodging, restaurants and shops.
ductor, as music director, and Walk
Those interested in the history of fur trapping, mountaineering and
Obtain Wyoming visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info
pioneer settlements in the West can The festival orchestra at Walk Festival Hall
GRAND TETON MUSIC FESTIVAL
visit the Jackson Hole Museum in Jackson. Guided walking tours of the
historic downtown area are available. The town square, accented with wooden sidewalks and elk antler arches, abounds with retail activity. The Jackson Hole Playhouse, a block from the square, offers dinner theater fare. This summer’s production is The Ballad of Cat Ballou. The National Museum of Wildlife Art boasts more than 3,000 paintings, sculptures and photos of wildlife. For upclose views of the real thing, groups can embark on half, fulland multi-day trips with companies like Wildlife Expeditions. Guided by wildlife biologists, eight-passenger safari-style ve-
JULY 4 – AUGUST 18, 2012
hicles explore Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The gate to Grand Teton National Park, open year round,
Grand Teton Music Festival has developed a reputation as one of the nation’s most important summer music festivals. Located in Teton Village at the base of Rendezvous Mountain, concerts in Walk Festival Hall allow visitors to hike all day and enjoy a world-class concert at night. Dress is casual and groups are welcome!
is right outside Teton Village; admission is valid in both Grand
Tues: Free Chamber Music Wed: Spotlight Concerts—Various Genres Thur: Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Fri/Sat: Festival Orchestra Concerts with Special Guests
north of Teton Village.
20% GROUP DISCOUNT FOR 12 OR MORE!
‡ *70) 25*
38 April 2012
Teton and Yellowstone. Grand Teton itself has over 200 miles of trails, game fishing, mountain climbing, horseback riding, wagon rides, and boat and canoe rentals. Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, features the iconic hot water geysers and other geological wonders. It is about two hours For the best in serious music and mountain majesty, groups should give serious consideration to a rhapsodic adventure in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. For information on the Grand Teton Music Festival, call 307-733-1128 or log on to gtmf.org. LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com
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