Bravo! Vail Music Festival Names New Artistic Director

(Credit: Sophie Zhai)

The Bravo! Vail Music Festival has named composer Chris Rogerson as its next Artistic Director.

Rogerson, who becomes the fourth Artistic Director in the festival’s history, assumes the Artistic Director Designate role immediately, transitioning to the full title on September 1, 2026, for an initial three-year term. He succeeds Anne-Marie McDermott following her 16-year tenure.

“We are thrilled that Chris will lead Bravo! Vail in its next era — his commitment to artistic excellence, sophisticated and innovative programming, and approach to community engagement all align perfectly with Bravo! Vail’s mission and goals for the future,” said Caitlin Murray, the festival’s President and CEO, per an official press release.

Rogerson is a composer whose music has been performed by artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, J’Nai Bridges, and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, as well as leading orchestras and ensembles across the country. He has served on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music for the past decade, and in 2023 received the Elise L. Stoeger Prize from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Rogerson’s relationship with Bravo! Vail spans multiple commissions, including “Samaa’ for piano, gongs, and strings,” premiered in 2022 by McDermott and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Prior to this appointment, Rogerson served as Composer-in-Residence of Young Concert Artists and as Composer-in-Residence and Artistic Advisor for both the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and the Amarillo Symphony. He holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, the Yale School of Music, and Princeton University.

Bravo! Vail will announce its 40th anniversary season in December 2026.