About Us

CBMF presents outstanding performances in diverse musical genres and high caliber educational programs in the rural Gunnison Valley each summer. Over 150 visiting artists provide residents and visitors access to artistic experiences typical of major metropolitan areas. Artists include professional musicians, conductors, singers, choreographers and stage directors from New York’s Metropolitan Opera and The Juilliard School, as well as celebrated soloists, popular ensembles, and award-winning performers in jazz, bluegrass and folk.

The Festival’s summer season spans the month of July and features approximately 40 performances and events. In addition to performances of symphonic works and chamber music, opera incorporates two educational programs: the Crested Butte Opera Studio, a five-week comprehensive apprentice program for a dozen emerging young artists selected from over 400 national applicants, and the Opera Children’s Chorus, a three-week intensive performance program for young singers aged 7-18. Both programs incorporate professional level training and performance roles for participants in the main stage production of La bohème.

Gypsy jazz encompasses nearly two weeks of performances by multiple artists and a six-day guitar camp hosted for the second year by guitarist Frank Vignola. Time Spans is a celebration of contemporary classical works by living composers and presented by leading ensembles in cooperation with the Earle Brown Music Foundation.