Green Lake Festival of Music

10/14/2026

What did the 2026 Green Lake Festival of Music season add up to?

More people in the audience. More music shared across our communities. More than 200 artists, faculty, and students on our stages. Scholarships helping talented young musicians take part in the Chamber Music Institute. And a growing community of donors making it all possible.

Numbers never tell the whole story, but these are worth celebrating!

We’re incredibly grateful to the artists, students, faculty, audiences, volunteers, donors, staff, board members, and community partners who helped make the 2026 season such a special one.

Swipe through for a look at the season by the numbers, and thank you for being part of GLFM!

10/07/2026

Our educational programs continue to be one of the parts of Green Lake Festival of Music we’re most proud of.

Through the Chamber Music Institute, Choral Institute, and Children’s Chorus, musicians of different ages and backgrounds have opportunities to learn, collaborate, perform, and grow.

In 2026, our Choral Institute was the largest it has been in five years, while our Children’s Chorus welcomed one of its largest groups in recent memory.

Together, these programs are an important part of what GLFM brings to the community, and seeing that work continue to thrive was a highlight of our 2026 Connections season.

📸: Ric Damm Photography

09/30/2026

Our 2026 season was built around a simple idea: Connections.

And this year, those connections grew.

Green Lake Festival of Music presented 21 public events, a 31% increase over 2025. Even more exciting, overall attendance grew by more than 65%.

From Mainstage performances and community concerts to our educational programs, masterclass, and chamber music performances, we were grateful to see more people coming together through live music.

Thank you for being part of the 2026 season and helping make those connections possible.

📸: Ric Damm Photography

09/26/2026

One more look back at such a fun night!

Our 2026 Festival Party: BBQ Style brought together friends, supporters, artists, and community members for an evening celebrating music and the work of Green Lake Festival of Music.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended and supported the event, we raised more than $52,000 for music education.

We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make the evening possible, from our guests and sponsors to the volunteers and supporters behind the scenes.

Enjoy a few more photos from a memorable night, and thank you for being part of it.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1723577759490919&type=3

09/26/2026

09/16/2026

We’re grateful to the Ripon Commonwealth Press for highlighting this year’s Green Lake Festival of Music Gala and the incredible support behind it!

More than $52,000 was raised to support music education and help GLFM continue creating meaningful musical experiences in communities throughout East Central Wisconsin.

Read more about the evening and the impact of this generous support below.

More than $52,000 was raised during the Green Lake Festival of Music Gala in Ripon, with more donations expected. The fundraiser featured performances by Erin Krebs, Ian Rucker and Russell Rolen, and proceeds will support GLFM programs that give young musicians opportunities to learn and perform.

08/12/2026

What a wonderful Festival Party: BBQ Style! 🎶✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for an evening filled with incredible music, delicious food, great company, and plenty of fun at Blossom & Hops at Knuth Brewing Company.

Guests enjoyed performances by three-time Wisconsin Jazz Artist of the Year Erin Krebs and her trio, internationally renowned baritone and Oshkosh native Ian Rucker, and Grammy-nominated cellist and our new Festival Director, Russell Rolen. J’s BBQ and Mr. & Mrs. P’s kept everyone well fed with an amazing spread throughout the evening.

Best of all, together we raised more than $52,000 for the festival and its educational programs, including the Children’s Chorus and Chamber Music Institute. We are so grateful to everyone who attended, donated, bid, volunteered, performed, and helped make the evening such a success.

A special thank you as well to all of our generous sponsors whose support helped make the Festival Party possible. 💚

📸 Photos by Josh Preissner

08/06/2026

🎤Find your jazz voice with Erin Krebs!

Tonight’s Festival Party may be the grand finale of our summer season, but you don’t have to be there in person to take part. The GLFM silent auction is open online through the party, and every bid helps support the Festival.

This package includes four private jazz voice lessons with award-winning vocalist and ten-time WAMI Award winner Erin Krebs. Lessons are tailored to the singer and can cover jazz phrasing, song selection, finding the right keys, improvisation, and building confidence.

Open to high-school-age singers and adults, with lessons available in person in the Appleton area or by live video call from anywhere.

Place your bid and get ready to swing!

https://givebutter.com/c/GLFM-2026-Gala/auction/items/2146572

08/06/2026

🎷A year of jazz—on the page, on the stereo, and live!

The GLFM silent auction is open for online bidding now through tonight's Festival Party. Anyone can participate, whether or not you’re able to attend the event. Browse the various auction items and make your bids at the link below!

This curated jazz collection includes a signed copy of "Wisconsin Riffs" by Kurt Dietrich, two signed Janet Planet CDs, and two tickets to the popular Jazz Coterie series, curated by GLFM board member Kyle Knoke.

Bid now and enjoy jazz throughout the year!

https://givebutter.com/c/GLFM-2026-Gala/auction/items/2141351

08/06/2026

🦆Explore Horicon Marsh with a local expert!

The GLFM silent auction is open online now through tomorrow’s Festival Party, and you can bid whether or not you’re able to attend.

This nature-lover’s package includes a guided hike and/or auto tour of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge with local expert and GLFM board member Rick Vant Hoff, two Blue Heron Landing sightseeing boat tour vouchers, Promaster binoculars, and a collection of bird- and nature-inspired gifts.

Explore the online auction, place your bid, and support GLFM today!

https://givebutter.com/c/GLFM-2026-Gala/auction/items/2141657