Unveiling GMF’s 2025 lineup: The 15th annual festival begins May 15 at Ravines Wine Cellars

Originally published in Finger Lakes Times on January 30, 2025

The Geneva Music Festival has announced the lineup for its 15th year, and this year’s event promises to expand its offerings from well beyond simply classical music

The festival begins May 15 with the genre-defying fusion of W4RP and concludes June 8 with Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper delivering bluegrass virtuosity.

“It’s a big deal to attract musicians of this caliber across many genres,” GMF founder and Director Geoffrey Herd said. “We’re thrilled to have them join us.”

Returning favorites like Clive Greensmith, Henry Kramer, and Blake Pouliot will take the stage, alongside many other artists new to the festival. Among the exciting acts joining in 2025 are the Cecile McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner Duo, one of the top names in jazz, and Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, regarded as one of the most distinguished bluegrass performers of our time.

This year’s theme, “Music and Wine,” celebrates the harmonious blend of world-class music and the award-winning wines of the Finger Lakes region.

Here’s the official GMF lineup for 2025:

• May 15 — W4RP: Genre-Defying Fusion, 7:30 p.m., Ravines Wine Cellars.
• May 22 — A special performance that is not part of the season pass, 7 p.m., Linden Social Club.
• May 23-24 — GMF Resident Artists: Tradition & Innovation, 7:30 p.m., Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
• May 29-30 — GMF Resident Artists: Old World Roots, 7:30 p.m., Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
• May 31 — Cecile McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner Duo: Grammy-Winning Jazz Mastery, 7:30 p.m., Cracker Factory.
• June 1 — The Sebastians: Baroque Brilliance, 7:30 p.m., the Presbyterian Church in Geneva.
• June 5-6 — GMF Resident Artists: German Legends, 7:30 p.m., Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
• June 8 — Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper: Bluegrass Virtuosity, 4 p.m., Geneva On The Lake.

W4RP opens the GMF season with a transformative, week-long educational residency, reaching hundreds of students across Geneva’s schools and community centers, culminating with their May 15 performance.

In addition to the main lineup performances, the Geneva Music Festival 2025 will feature a series of free pop-up concerts throughout the season. Whether you’re new to the festival or a longtime fan, these free events offer an accessible, family-friendly atmosphere that make it easy for everyone to connect with the vibrant local arts scene.

For those who plan to attend multiple performances, a season pass provides access to all seven performances included in the festival, saving 20% off the cost of individual tickets. Individual tickets are available for $40 per concert.

Season passes are available here. And individual tickets for the 2025 program can be purchased here.

This article was first published in Finger Lakes Times on January 25, 2025. You can read the full version here.