25 Years at GTMF: Tracy Gibson
For 25 years, the Grand Teton Music Festival has been a cherished part of my life, weaving together the notes of family, friendship, and music into something truly extraordinary. Watching my children grow up amidst the mountains, rivers, and wild beauty of Jackson has been one of the greatest gifts of these summers. Some of our family’s most treasured memories were made here — walking together through Jackson or on the path to the pool, bike rides to the General Store, celebrating the Fourth of July together, and savoring the simple joys of summer afternoons. The bond we share today was shaped in large part by the experiences we lived here, and for that, I am most thankful.
Each summer has been filled with endless opportunities to experience life together in Jackson: afternoons horseback riding and swimming with friends, eating waffles at the top of Rendezvous Mountain, cheering at the Rodeo, racing down the Alpine Slide at Snow King, attending concerts at the Jackson Hole Playhouse, riding bikes along pristine paths, visiting the Bar J Ranch, wandering the farmers market, and pausing in the quiet of the evening to watch the horses return to their stables after a warm summer’s day. These moments have become part of the tapestry of our lives.
The music-making at GTMF is incomparable. After seasons spent in our home orchestras, we return each summer to recharge — to reconnect with the heart of why we became musicians in the first place. Between the Festival Orchestra performances and Chamber Music concerts, there is a special energy here: the thrill of sitting among such inspiring colleagues, the unforgettable feeling of each performance in Walk Festival Hall, the deep sense of purpose renewed with every note. I find myself looking forward to it all year long — from the moment we board planes home each August, to the moment those glorious mountains rise into view once again.
Over these 25 years, GTMF has given me so much more than unforgettable performances. It has given me lifelong friends — people who inspire, challenge, and support me both on and off the stage. These friendships, like the music we create together, have become some of the most meaningful of my life. As I reflect on my time at GTMF, I am filled with gratitude — and with excitement for the memories and music still to come.