July 29 - August 1, 2026
The Green Lake Festival of Music’s 2026 choral program promises to be another fantastic experience for everyone. This year, there will be only one program that features music by composers who have previously headlined our Composer Residency: Shawn Kirchner (2019), Morten Lauridsen (2021), and Elaine Hagenberg (2022). A professional orchestra will join the chorus, adding color and power to our performance. It promises to be a wonderful week of music and friendship! Please find below all the information you’ll need to plan your time with us. We will continuously update this webpage as more information becomes available, so please check back often.
The choral program will begin with an evening rehearsal on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The concluding performance will be on the evening of Saturday, August 1, 2026. The performance and all rehearsals will take place at First Congregational Church in Ripon, WI.
Ripon College is proud to host the Choral Institute participants this year from July 29 – August 1! See more information below under Planning Your Stay.
Auditions are not required for this year’s choral program.
Registration for the choral programs will begin in January and will remain open until June 15.
The registration cost is $200. Non-refundable payments are due at registration.
The Green Lake Festival of Music proudly offers registration discounts for active music educators, music students, and groups of 3 or more singers who register at the same time.
The daily schedule will be posted here when available. Participants are required to attend all rehearsals and the performance.
Listening to the repertoire will help you learn it more quickly. Click the titles of the pieces below to hear John’s recommended recordings. Please note that these are in concert order.
There is one optional solo in this year’s repertoire: Tenor, Illuminare, #4. Munera Pacis, mm. 62–72, 86–94. If you are interested in singing this solo, please prepare it in advance of the Festival. Auditions will be held at the time listed on the schedule. While we will hear auditions, we reserve the right to have either the entire Tenor section or a small group sing these passages.
Photocopying copyrighted music is illegal and unethical. Participants are therefore required to purchase copies of all music.
We have partnered with Musical Resources of Toledo, OH to provide music for this event. You may purchase scores from Musical Resources, who will ship scores directly to you, by following this link.
There is very little rehearsal time, and we’ll focus on shaping the music rather than learning notes and rhythms. Participants should come with all the repertoire selections completely learned.
In the spring, registrants will receive a link to a Google folder containing scans of John’s marked scores. It is imperative that you transfer the markings that pertain to your voice part into your scores and learn them accordingly. When we all do this, our rehearsals will be more enjoyable as we’ll be able to move quickly beyond notes and rhythms.
As long as you’ve purchased copies of all the music, you may save time by printing copies of these scores or singing from a tablet.
There are two optional—yet highly recommended—pre-program rehearsals to help singers prepare for the programs. Past participants have found that attending these has been very helpful. A free-will donation will be collected in order to cover the room rental and accompanist fees.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist, 1025 N. Smith St., Palatine, IL 60067
6:30–8:00 Choral Institute
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Choir Room, C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts, Ripon College, Ripon, WI 54971
6:30–8:00 Choral Institute
Please dress in all black with black shoes for the performances. Additionally, bring a black folder or black binder for your music.
We are pleased to offer this exciting program, now in its fourth year. If you know of a talented conductor who is looking for a paid learning experience for this summer, please pass along this exciting opportunity.
Participants are responsible for their own meals and accommodations. We have blocks rooms reserved for participants at the following hotels:
Cobblestone Suites
920-748-5500
Double queen room: $149
King room: $154
Boarders
920-748-7578
King room: $150
This website lists alternative lodging options in Green Lake. Lodging in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac is also an option; each city is approximately 25 minutes away from the Ripon College campus.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Director of Choral Programs & Conductor
The Green Lake Festival of Music proudly offers a 10% discount for groups of 3 or more singers who register at the same time. This offer applies only to the Choral Institute. There are no group discounts for the Composer Residency. This discount may not be combined with any other offers.
Promo Code: GROUP10
The Green Lake Festival of Music proudly offers a 10% discount for active music educators. There are no restrictions on the grade level or educational setting. This offer applies to both the Choral Institute and Composer Residency. This discount may not be combined with any other offers.
Promo Code: EDUCATOR10
The Green Lake Festival of Music proudly offers a 10% discount for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in music. This offer applies to both the Choral Institute and Composer Residency. This discount may not be combined with any other offers.
Promo Code: STUDENT10