Murray: The beauty of shared connection through music

As I reflect on the past six weeks of our Bravo! Vail Music Festival, what stands out most is not only the brilliance of the music and musicians on stage, but the way we experienced that music together.

Whether you spent a beautiful Vail night listening to music on the lawn or danced along with 1,500 friends to salsa rhythms at Nottingham Park, you were part of something more than a concert. You were part of a community sharing in moments of joy, wonder and reflection.

This summer, those spontaneous, heartwarming and often unexpected moments reminded me of what makes Bravo! Vail unique. A squirrel sprinting across the stage mid-performance. A string quartet playing by flashlight during a summer storm power outage. Young concertgoers in our Presto Club coloring side by side while listening to Beethoven. These experiences connect us. They remind us that music is not just an art form, it’s a living, breathing expression of community. It’s what brings this extraordinary festival to life each year.

I am deeply grateful to the artists who brought their immense talent and passion to our valley, performing in our very own backyard. From the exquisite artistry of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe to the electric energy of Sinfónica de Minería, and performances by our beloved resident orchestras — the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic — this season was filled with music that moved and inspired us. And what a joy it was seeing your responses: laughing during “The Princess Bride” in concert, jumping to your feet for standing ovations, or simply sitting quietly in awe.

Bravo! Vail exists to serve you — those who make this community vibrant — and together we create something beautiful every summer. My sincerest appreciation goes out to Bravo! Vail’s board of trustees, advisory council, Guild, staff, interns, volunteers and technical crew for their long hours and unwavering dedication. And to the town of Vail, town of Avon, the Vail Valley Foundation, our sponsors, partners, patrons and donors — thank you. Your generous support allows this magnificent festival to take place each summer in our valley.

To everyone who attended a concert, whether it was your first time or hundredth, you are at the heart of what we do. Your enthusiasm and presence turn each Bravo! Vail concert into a shared and unforgettable experience.

Lastly, my heartfelt thanks go to our visionary Artistic Director Anne-Marie McDermott. This season was yet another shining example of her passion, creativity and belief in the power of bringing people together through music.

Looking ahead, we’re already planning for a spectacular 39th season, taking place from June 25-Aug. 6, 2026. It will be a particularly meaningful summer as we celebrate Anne-Marie’s final year as artistic director, alongside the return of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and many other incredible artists. We also look forward to introducing you to our future yet-to-be-announced artistic director in the spring of 2026.

From all of us at Bravo! Vail, thank you for being a part of this extraordinary season, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year. Here’s to the music — and to you — who make it all possible.