In the News
The Ripon Commonwealth Press
Green Lake Festival of Music (GLFM) announced the appointment of Russell Rolen as its next executive and artistic director following a national search led by a committee of the board of directors.
Rolen will begin his role in May, working alongside current director Sam Handley through the summer to ensure a transition period before assuming full leadership in August.
Rolen brings experience as both a performing musician and arts administrator. He is the founder and former executive director and co-artistic leader of the Spektral Quartet, an ensemble recognized with three Grammy nominations. His background includes leadership in artistic programming, fundraising and community-based performance initiatives.
Photo Credit: Daniel Kullman
Russell Rolen
Rolen has a long-standing connection to GLFM and the region.
“I’ve known the festival for years as a performer, and even longer by reputation from back when I was teaching at Ripon College,” he said. “What always stayed with me was the feeling of genuine connection between artists and audiences, and within the community itself. It’s special when a festival is so closely tied to the life of the place, and the opportunity to help steward that kind of environment was really compelling.”
He emphasized audience engagement as central to his artistic approach.
“I believe that great music-making is a two-way street — the audience gives as much as it receives,” Rolen said. “My vision is really about building on that strength and deepening those connections even further.”
In his first year, Rolen said he plans to focus on listening and engagement.
“My first priority is to get to know the board, staff, artists and community members,” he said. “From there, I’m excited to shape the festival in a way that reflects what matters to the community, while also inviting audiences into new and meaningful experiences.”
The appointment follows six years of leadership by Handley. During his tenure, the festival expanded its programming and educational initiatives, including the Choral Institute, Children’s Chorus and Chamber Music Institute, while continuing to present internationally recognized artists.
Handley also guided the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Russell Rolen lives and enlivens the mission and values of the festival,” Handley said. “Even more important is his understanding and commitment to community. Organizations often do things for the community, but Russ wants to do things with the community.”
GLFM enters the 2026 season with a full schedule of performances and community events across the region.
The season opens Friday, June 5 with the Juliani Ensemble at First Congregational Church of Ripon. Community performances follow Monday, June 8 with the V3NTO Brass Trio at the Green Lake Public Library, Ripon American Legion and Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh.
The Chamber Music Institute anchors the early season, with faculty concerts performed by renowned musicians on Wednesdays June 10 and June 17 inside Ripon College’s Demmer Recital Hall and a final participant concert Friday, June 19.
The internationally acclaimed Kronos Quartet will perform Tuesday, June 16, bringing one of the most influential and widely recognized string ensembles in the world to the festival stage. Kronos Quartet is known for redefining the possibilities of the string quartet through decades of innovative programming.
The Avanti Piano Trio will offer community performances in Waupun, Ripon and Oshkosh on Wednesday, June 24. Educational programming continues with the Children’s Chorus Camp Concert Thursday, July 2 at Demmer Recital Hall.
July performances include the expressive and communicative Gaudete Brass Quintet on Thursday, July 9 at Deacon Mills Park in Green Lake, with additional engagement performances Friday, July 10 in Ripon and Oshkosh.
Award-winning pianist Jonathon Mamora will be featured in a residency beginning Monday, July 13, including a recital at Demmer Recital Hall, a masterclass Tuesday, July 14 and a community mini-concert in Oshkosh.
Internationally acclaimed Amanda Majeski, Daveda Karanas and Alan Darling will perform Friday, July 17 at Lawrence Memorial Chapel in Appleton and the Shining Light Choral Program, conducted by John C. Hughes, on Saturday, Aug. 1 at First Congregational Church of Ripon.
The season concludes with the Festival’s Gala Fundraiser on Thursday, Aug. 6 at Blossom and Hops in Ripon (upstairs of Knuth Brewing Co.).
Green Lake Festival of Music continues to present performances, educational programs and community engagement events throughout the summer, serving audiences throughout the Fox Valley and Green Lake County.
The Ripon Commonwealth Press
Free concerts to feature the Kronos Quartet, acclaimed vocalists and nationally recognized ensembles
The Green Lake Festival of Music (GLFM) announced its 2026 theme, artist lineup and program highlights following its annual general meeting held in November.
The 2026 season, running June 5 through Aug. 6, grew around the theme “Connections,” honoring the artistic partnerships, educational relationships and community collaborations that have shaped the festival since 1979.
“The board and staff decided a year ago to celebrate the collaborations that make GLFM possible,” GLFM Artistic and Executive Director Sam Handley said. “Welcoming, or welcoming back, artists with whom we have friendships made sense. ‘Connections’ was an obvious title.”
A season built on artistic relationships
The 2026 season features several artists linked to GLFM’s history.
A centerpiece event is the Wednesday, June 17 debut of the Kronos Quartet — its first appearance at GLFM. Three members of the groundbreaking ensemble previously served on the faculty of GLFM’s Chamber Music Institute (CMI).
Another highlight is the Friday, July 17 recital featuring soprano Amanda Majeski, mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas and collaborative pianist Alan Darling. Majeski and Karanas memorably co-starred in “The Passenger” at Lyric Opera of Chicago, and all three artists share professional ties with one another and with Handley.
The 2026 GLFM seasonal logo — Joye Moon’s original design — is refreshed with radiant sunbeams to echo the festival’s theme, “Connections.”
GLFM also unveiled refreshed branding for 2026, including a radiating-sun logo symbolizing the network of relationships celebrated throughout the season. Artist Joye Moon, who designed the original GLFM logo, created the new seasonal artwork titled “Connected.”
Concert venues and opening performance
Due to the renovation of the Thrasher Opera House, many 2026 concerts will take place at the First Congregational Church of Ripon, which also will host rehearsals and educational activities.
The season opens Friday, June 5 with a performance by the Juliani Ensemble, longtime collaborators which once filled in for GLFM artists delayed by travel disruptions.
Celebrating ensembles with GLFM ties
Handley highlighted several returning chamber groups:
➤ V3NTO Brass Trio — Frequent performer in GLFM’s engagement concerts, the ensemble maintains educational connections to the region.
➤ Avanti Piano Trio — Returning after its 2025 gala appearance, the Madison-based trio shares GLFM’s longstanding focus on piano-trio repertoire.
Chamber Music Institute: June 7–20
GLFM’s Chamber Music Institute runs June 7-20 at Ripon College, offering training for advanced string players 18 and older. Under the direction of Elizabeth Oakes, CMI brings students from around the world for two weeks of chamber-music study with distinguished faculty. Registration closes March 15.
Jonathan Mamora in concert: July 13
Pianist Jonathan Mamora, winner of the 2025 Hilton Head International Piano Competition, will perform Monday, July 13 at Ripon College. The pre-concert talk begins at 7 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. recital. A public masterclass and community outreach activities follow the next morning.
Choral Programs for youth and adults
Children’s Chorus Camp, led by Magdalena Delgado of Uniting Voices Chicago, will take place from Monday, June 29 to Thursday, July 2. GLFM’s free youth chorus camp includes multicultural repertoire, movement and games, culminating in a July 2 performance at Ripon College.
This year’s Choral Composers Program, which runs Wednesday, July through Saturday, Aug. 1, features music by former composers-in-residence Shawn Kirchner, Morten Lauridsen, and Elaine Hagenberg. Conducted by John Hughes, the program concludes with a free full-orchestra concert on Aug. 1 at First Congregational Church.
Season finale gala: Aug. 6
The 2026 gala will be Thursday, Aug. 6 at Blossom & Hops (upstairs of Knuth Brewing Co.) in Ripon, marking a temporary relocation during the Thrasher renovation. The gala will close the season in celebratory fashion, bringing together music lovers, artists and supporters for an evening that honors the festival’s achievements and builds excitement for the year to come.
“GLFM is, at its core, about people coming together to share extraordinary music and community,” Handley said. “This season honors the relationships that make that possible.”