GENEVA — For 16 years, the Geneva Music Festival has grown within the community that supports it.
What began as a single weekend of performances has expanded into four weeks of chamber, jazz, bluegrass, and Americana music that draws audiences from across the region and has earned national recognition for its contribution to the arts. That success is rooted in the community that responded so enthusiastically all those years ago.
Geneva-based volunteers, businesses, donors, community leaders, and audiences have played an active role in shaping the festival’s growth. Year after year, artists return for the sense of connection they find here, performing for a community that values and stewards the arts.
That spirit will be front and center at the Geneva Music Festival’s annual Gala & Concert April 11 inside Bartlett Theatre on the campus of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.
The evening will feature a performance by festival founder Geoffrey Herd. He will be joined by longtime returning artists Anna Petrova and Max Geissler. Their return each year is testament to the relationships formed between artists and the community that welcomes them.
In addition to the performance, guests at the Gala will also enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, and handcrafted cocktails from local vendors, along with a live auction of event-exclusive items and experiences from area businesses. A silent auction held online the week prior will give even more community members a chance to participate and support the festival.
Proceeds from the Gala support the festival’s performances and outreach initiatives, including free concerts for schools, free community performances, and efforts to keep ticket prices accessible. Each year, more than 1,000 students experience live music through these programs, inspiring the next generation of musicians.
Find more information about the 2026 Geneva Music Festival and season passes at genevamusicfestival.com.