French Horn player Fritz Foss enjoys a versatile career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player and music educator.
Assistant Principal/Utility Horn of the prestigious Lyric Opera of Chicago since 2012. Foss has also been a member of the Colorado Symphony and has performed around the globe including appearances with the Malaysian Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, as well as the symphonies of Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Kansas City. Winner of the New World Symphony’s Concerto Competition, he appeared with them as soloist in Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 2.
International and US festival appearances include Switzerland’s Verbier Festival, South Carolina’s Spoleto Festival, the Crested Butte Music Festival, National Orchestra Institute, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago, and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz, California.
Foss has toured throughout the US as a member of the Paramount Brass Quintet and appears on their recording Shepherd’s Hey that features works by Percy Grainger, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst.
A dedicated music educator, he has been on the faculty of the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division, Boston Conservatory, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, and currently performs and coaches woodwind quintets at Madeline Island Chamber Music.
“What’s not to love about Midsummer’s Music? Sure, there’s the top notch chamber music to play with dynamic, talented musicians, the intimate concert settings, the abundant nature, all the state parks, trees, country roads and paths, starry nights, cooler temperatures, the mom & pop businesses all over. But like any group, what really makes it special are the people. That may sound cheesy, but I can’t imagine this festival without the musicians, staff, and volunteers who devote their time, considerable energy, and even their own homes to make this festival a success. Thank you to all those who give selflessly to such an organization!”