Celebrating 25 years with Craig Mulcahy

In celebration of her 25th anniversary, Craig authored the following passage, which is also included in the 2026 summer program book.

Craig Mulcahy
Trombone

Ever since I first set foot in this region more than 25 years ago, I knew it was a special place. It’s hard to choose just one favorite aspect. I’ve made lifelong friendships here, shared the experience with my family, hiked countless miles, enjoyed incredible meals and tried to take in the indescribable beauty all around. It’s the combination of music, community and landscape that keeps drawing me back each summer.

My best memories at GTMF span a wide spectrum of joy — from electrifying concerts where the energy in the hall is palpable, to hikes through some of the most stunning terrain anywhere, to quiet moments reading in a hammock by a lake. Early on, I remember sitting next to orchestral veterans, absorbing everything I could from them.

Over time, those mentors became friends. Many of the musicians here were idols of mine for years, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have shared so much time and music with them. There have been so many remarkable performances I’ve been lucky to be part of. Most recently, Mahler’s Fifth Symphony stands out as especially moving — the entire orchestra was playing on an exceptional level. But one of my most impactful memories goes back to my first or second season, performing Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony. After a rehearsal, a group of us went for a hike and experienced, almost uncannily, everything the piece depicts — sunshine, rain, fierce wind, lightning, thunder, even hail. As conditions worsened and we scrambled down from higher elevations, we found ourselves half-jokingly singing “uh oh, uh oh” in rhythm with the music. It kept us focused and, somehow, made the moment feel lighter. That shared experience — where music and the natural world intersected so vividly — made the eventual performance all the more meaningful. And those “uh oh” moments became a running joke on hikes for years afterward.