FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Abbey Berger-Knorr
Cultivate
abbey@cultivatepr.co
717.254.0994
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival Concludes 21st Season with Record-Breaking Achievements
Vermont chamber music festival welcomed 235 students, launched inaugural Junior Program, and set new community giving record
Colchester, VT — August 20, 2025 — The Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival (GMCMF) has wrapped its 21st season with remarkable milestones, hosting 235 students across over 75 public events, achieving a new record in community giving through its Music for Food concert initiative, and—alongside its flagship program for ages 14–30—launching a smaller, first-ever Junior Program for young musicians ages 8–13.
Season Highlights by the Numbers
From June 29 to August 3, GMCMF transformed Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, into a vibrant hub of music and learning. The Festival’s Regular Program (June 29–July 27) welcomed 214 violin, viola, and cello students ages 14–30, while the new Junior Program (July 20–August 3) brought in 21 young musicians ages 8–13 for an immersive two-week experience.
Students traveled from 32 U.S. states and six countries, including Turkey, Mexico, China, Peru, Japan, and South Korea, to participate in daily lessons, rehearsals, masterclasses, and a range of performances.
In total, the Festival presented over 75 events throughout the season, including concerts, lectures, masterclasses, and artist talks. New offerings this season included a Family Concert Series and Junior Program concerts.
The Junior Program also debuted the Mini Quartet Hop, where student quartets performed at venues along Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace—an instant community favorite modeled after the Festival’s signature Quartet Hops.
“Launching the Junior Program has been one of the most rewarding milestones in our Festival’s history,” said Amanda Stenroos, General Manager of GMCMF. “Over two weeks, we watched these young musicians—many performing in quartets for the very first time—grow in confidence and skill. Their energy and curiosity were contagious, and it’s exciting to think about the musical journeys they have ahead.”
Community Impact
GMCMF deepened its ties with the local community through its Classical Encounters series, bringing chamber music into unexpected venues such as local businesses and libraries.
This year’s Music for Food concert, where attendees donate nonperishable food items instead of purchasing tickets, set a new record, collecting 103 pounds of food for a local food bank, underscoring the Festival’s commitment to using music as a force for good.
“This season reflected everything we strive for as an organization: Artistic excellence, educational growth, and community connection,” said Elizabeth Chang, Artistic Director of GMCMF. “From welcoming students from around the globe to breaking records in community giving, our 21st year proved that music has the power to unite, inspire, and make a tangible difference.”
About Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival:
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival was founded in 2005 by violinist Kevin Lawrence in the Lake Champlain and Burlington, Vermont area. Now in residency at St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont the Festival brings together young string musicians from around the U.S. and several other countries with professional string teachers from many conservatories and universities, to work together for a month each summer. Student and faculty concerts offer a rich assortment of chamber music experiences to our audience members, both on campus and in the surrounding community.