Endless Mountain Music Festival

Mission Statement The mission of the Endless Mountain Music Festival is to bring world-renowned musicians to our community of northern Pennsylvania and southern New York to enrich the cultural, economic and educational life of the Twin Tiers region. History Nature inspires art, sometimes in the most unexpected moments. In the summer of 2003, Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser and his wife, Rochelle, were on a weeklong hiatus in Wellsboro, Pa. It was their first visit to the region, and they’d planned for a quiet week where Stephen could rest after an illness. Captivated by the area’s majestic mountains, bubbling brooks and the charm of Wellsboro’s gaslit Main Street, an exciting idea took shape. It was the perfect place for a classical music festival, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery and small town appeal of the Wellsboro area. The couple took the idea to the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce, who referred them to Wellsboro residents Dr. Kenneth Sarch, Mansfield University music professor and his wife, Margarita, Wellsboro Community Symphony Orchestra conductor. Their excitement was immediate and contagious. With enthusiastic support from the community, a Board of Directors was named and the Endless Mountain Music Festival was born. The Endless Mountain Music Festival combines different styles of music within the framework of three weeks by attempting to breakdown the artificial boundaries that exist in classical musical programming. It is the musical repertoire that creates bridges for the enjoyment of listening. As an example, in today’s eclectic times, one can enjoy listening to Beethoven and to listening to the Blues music…each a different genre. To discover the excitement of music through performance enhances the listening experience. Building and broadening our audience base is critical in an era that makes selection of leisure time activity competitive. By bridging music with culture and art, touches audiences that come from the listening worlds of folk music, jazz, blues, and classical tradition. Following each concert are opportunities for the audience to meet and get to know the musician creating a deeper understanding of the music world. Opportunities to socialize in informal settings create a bond between the musician and community, which promotes the economy along with the culture. Drawing upon the talents of world-class musicians, is also critical for young developing artists and students. Young people’s concerts, master classes and student education is paramount.

We offer student learning master classes in local school districts. We perform 17 concerts in 17 days. We offer 5 free library concerts for the community. We hold an annual auction and steel drum concert. We need ushers and volunteers.