Free sing-alongs, jazz, and classical concerts highlight Gretna Music’s July schedule

Gretna Music’s summer season continues with free family events, First Listen performances that feature the budding talent of young artists, and innovative mainstage performances that demonstrate the artistry of today’s musicians.

Gretna Music for Kids FREE Sing-along with Mr. Music

• Monday, July 13th | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Hall of Philosophy, 212 Gettysburg Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• FREE Admission

Sing and clap along with Mr. Music as he performs favorite children’s songs and original tunes. Kids will also have the chance to explore a variety of musical instruments after the event.

First Listen with the Luca Savarino Quartet

First Listens are free 20-minute pre-concerts showcasing promising young local musicians before mainstage performances.

• Friday, July 17th | 6:30 p.m.
• Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• FREE Admission

The Luca Savarino Quartet returns to the Playhouse with Luca Savarino (saxophone), Sam Hale (piano), Joseph LaMarca (bass), and Justin Bowden (drums).

New Jazz Underground Mainstage Performance

• Friday, July 17th | 7:30 p.m.
• Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• Tickets: $20, $28, $35 (Open Seating within section)

New Jazz Underground, comprised of Abdias Armenteros (Saxophonist/Composer, 25), Sebastian Rios (Bassist/Composer, 27), TJ Reddick (Drummer, 25), strives to redefine jazz, blending its rich traditions with modern hip-hop, pop, and Afro-Latino rhythms for a timeless, yet trailblazing sound. After the performance, stick around for a mini jam session. NJU will lead a jam session with young local musicians after their performance. E-mail gretnamusic@gmail.com to sign up to be part of the jam session.

FREE Meet and Greet with Fabiola Mendez

• Saturday, July 18th | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• WEPA, 9 South 9th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042

Fabiola Mendez Mainstage Performance

• Saturday, July 18th | 7:30 p.m.
• Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• Tickets: $15, $20, $25 (Open Seating with section)

Fabiola, a Puerto Rican cuatrista, singer, and Emmy-nominated composer, explores culture and identity through her music. She is the first Berklee graduate to play cuatro, the four-stringed Latin-American instrument, as her principal instrument. Sharing Puerto Rican folk traditions and storytelling, Fabiola will perform alongside her band, featuring drums, percussion, and electric bass.

First Listen with Reece Knepper, piano

First Listens are free 20-minute pre-concerts showcasing promising young local musicians before mainstage performances

• Sunday, July 19th | 2:15 p.m.
• Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• FREE Admission

Reece is a 15-year-old pianist from York, PA. Starting piano at the age of 5, he currently studies with Gretchen Dekker and Eric Fung.

Manhattan Chamber Players Mainstage Performance

• Sunday, July 19th | 3:00 p.m.
• Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• Tickets: $25, $30, $35 (Open Seating with section)

This music collective of New York-based musicians share the common aim of performing the greatest works in the chamber repertoire at the highest level. Performance includes Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Quartet, Op. 21 by Ernest Chausson and

String Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20 by Felix Mendelssohn.

First Listen with Cardinal Quartet

First Listens are free 20-minute pre-concerts showcasing promising young local musicians before mainstage performances

• Sunday, July 26th | 6:45 p.m.
• Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• FREE Admission

The Cardinal Quartet is comprised of Harrison Mabon (violin), Taisei Berg (violin), Jacob Iwanowicz (viola), and Tracey Rodriguez (cello). This mix of students range from a sophomore in high school to college students.

Curtis on Tour Mainstage Performance

• Sunday, July 26th | 7:30 p.m.
• Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• Tickets: $25, $30, $35 (Open Seating within section)

Embracing the Curtis Institute’s “learn by doing” philosophy, ensembles are infused with the energy and passion of extraordinary emerging artists performing alongside celebrated alumni. The stage will be graced by Elissa Lee Koljonen (violin), Hao Yang (guitar), and Romain-Olivier Gray (cello). Program to include works by Paganini and Piazzolla, as well as works by American composers, including Curtis alumnus George Rochberg.

GM4K FREE Puppet Show! Happy Birthday Mon Ami!

• Monday, July 27th | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Hall of Philosophy, 212 Gettysburg Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
• FREE Admission

Class, cultures, and expectations clash when Jacques’ American cousin Sam visits him in Paris for a birthday celebration. Winner of a 2024 Jim Henson Foundation grant award, Happy Birthday, Mon Ami combines glove puppetry, live music, and audience participation to create a delightful hour of fun for the whole family.

About Gretna Music

Running through September 12 at the historic open-air Mt. Gretna Playhouse, the Gretna Music mainstage lineup includes jazz, classical, a cappella, bluegrass, Irish music, and 19X Grammy winner Béla Fleck. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit www.gretnamusic.org.

Gretna Music is dedicated to bringing excellent musical performances to southcentral Pennsylvania. By offering diverse programming and maintaining a commitment to accessibility, Gretna Music fosters a deep appreciation for live performing arts within the local community and beyond.

Gretna Music offers an array of ticketing options. The Gretna Grooves package is for the three jazz concerts (New Jazz Underground, Michael Mayo, and Mathis Picard Trio), and the Club Classical package is for six chamber music performances. Gretna Music also offers five-dollar tickets for youth under eighteen, five-dollar tickets for the adult who brings a youth, half-price admission for ages 19-30, 10% discount for active and retired military, and a Pay What You Will option at the door based on availability.