From Erin Freeman, Artistic Director, Wintergreen Performing Arts

The holidays have long been my favorite time of the year. When I was a kid, my mother would take us to the Atlanta Symphony and The Nutcracker. I clearly remember the powerful sound of the orchestra, the beauty of the chorus, the miracle of Mother Ginger’s dress, and the exact location of our seats. Although it is now one of my busiest work seasons, I look forward to December every year, because it reminds me of why I chose music as a career.

Well - I officially have a new favorite season (tied, to be fair, with December): Summer – with the talented Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, the fun Wild Wednesdays, the cool mountain breezes, and the friendliest Valley around. And now that my holiday concerts are finally over, I can begin the Wintergreen Performing Arts calendar countdown to the 2018 Summer Music Festival and Academy.

#5. Wednesday, March 21, 2018, 2:00-4:00 pm: Ladies Tea & Fashion Show at Pharsalia. Don't miss this festive new event and fashion show featuring stylings of the Fashion Gallery. There's no better place to welcome spring and support WPA than on the beautiful grounds of Pharsalia! (Pharsalia in Tyro, VA) – $38 per person.

#4. Monday, April 2, 2018: Passes and Packages for the 2018 Wintergreen Summer Music Festival go on sale. That’s right, you can get your Festival Season Pass early this year! Even better, you can invite friends from afar to plan ahead for a music-filled weekend or a week-long visit.

#3. Monday, April 16, 2018: Single tickets go on sale. Get your cooking class tickets and spread the news about all of our marvelous individual concerts, including Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Copland’s Appalachian Spring, and even a Wild Wednesday tribute to Tony and the Duke.

#2. Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 4:00 pm: Derby Day 2018. Don your finest hat for the social event of the season, with proceeds benefiting WPA! Enjoy the fastest two minutes in sports, racing, delicious food, and the best mint juleps in Nelson County. (At the home of Robert & Vicki Keenan) – $75 per person.

#1. And finally . . . The 2018 Wintergreen Summer Music Festival & Academy: Monday, July 9 through Sunday, August 5, 2018. With a celebration of Beethoven and Bernstein; your favorite Wintergreen Festival Artists; a guest artist list that includes violinist Rachel Barton Pine, conductor Mei-Ann Chen, and jazzer John Winn; and everything from Japanese Koto playing to a Motown night, this will be a summer to remember.

For periodic updates on repertoire, guest artists, ticket sales, and more, make sure to follow us on Facebook at WintergreenPerformingArts and sign-up for our free newsletter on our website. You’ll be the first to know!

The Wintergreen Summer Music Festival and Academy is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, but contributions from people such as you are vital to its success. Learn more here.