FAQ’s
How did Marlboro Music come to own the campus?
Marlboro Music purchased the campus in 2021, following the closure of Marlboro College, which had occupied the property since its founding in 1946. The purchase was a natural and deeply meaningful step for Marlboro Music, which has called this campus home since its own founding in 1951—initially as a summer tenant, leasing the campus from the college during the festival season.
The acquisition ensures that the campus will remain intact and continue to serve as Marlboro Music’s home for generations to come. It also opened an exciting new chapter in the campus’s history, with Marlboro Music now stewarding the property year-round and welcoming partner organizations whose programs are compatible with its mission and values.
How are Marlboro concerts different from a typical classical concert?
Most classical concerts are built around a fixed program, announced months in advance, performed by musicians who have rehearsed together for a limited time. Marlboro works differently.
Each summer, young professional musicians and master artists from around the world spend seven weeks living and working together on our Vermont campus. There are no classes or formal lessons; instead, musicians rehearse together with virtually unlimited time and no outside pressures. Programs emerge organically from that process.
Because the music that is performed grows directly out of weeks of deep, unhurried collaboration, audiences often describe Marlboro concerts as unlike anything else they’ve heard. The performances carry a distinctive combination of rigor and spontaneity—the kind that only comes from musicians who have truly lived with the music together.
Concert programs are announced approximately one week before each performance, from among those ensembles who feel they have achieved something special and are ready to share their work with us all. We suggest signing up for our email list to receive program announcements as soon as they’re available.
Where are summer concerts held?
Summer concerts and open rehearsals take place in Persons Auditorium, a 540-seat venue located at 2472 South Rd., Marlboro, VT 05344. Visit the Directions page for more information on transportation options and how to get here.
How do I get to Marlboro?
The Marlboro campus is situated on a winding country road several miles off of Vermont Route 9, between the towns of Brattleboro and Wilmington. As with much of rural Vermont, a car is the most practical way to get here. Visit the Directions page for more information.
Is there transportation from nearby towns?
Marlboro is located in a rural area not served by public transportation. For those who do not drive, ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft do operate in the Brattleboro area, though availability in Marlboro itself can be limited and unpredictable. We recommend booking in advance and confirming your return ride before the concert begins.
When do concerts take place, and how long is the season?
Marlboro Music presents five weekends of concerts each summer, typically running from mid-July through mid-August. Concerts are held on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons and on the first two Friday evenings in August. The 2026 season runs from July 18 through August 16.
How long are the concerts?
Most concerts run between an hour and a half and two hours, with a 15-minute intermission about midway through the performance.
Where can I find concert programs and artists?
At Marlboro, there are no pre-planned concert programs. The artists themselves choose the music we’ll hear from among the many pieces that are being explored each week, from chamber music masterworks to contemporary music by resident composers.
Because of this fluid and organic process, we do not know what repertoire and artists will be featured on any particular concert until seven to ten days in advance. As soon as programs are announced, we share them with audiences via email, social media, and our website. Please join our email list to receive weekly program announcements during the summer, as well as monthly communications during the rest of the year.
How much do tickets cost?
Tickets are available at $40, $30, and $20. Seating is assigned within each section. We encourage you to order early since concerts often sell out. For our final concert of the season, unreserved canopy seats are also available at $5. A special Town Benefit concert is also held annually on the fourth Friday of the festival. 100% of the proceeds from this performance benefit local non-profit organizations.
Is there outdoor seating or lawn space?
All performances take place inside Persons Auditorium, where every seat offers excellent acoustics and an intimate connection to the music. We do not have outdoor or lawn seating, with one exception: for the final concert of the season, canopy seating is available at $5 — open air, under an awning, though with a partial view of the stage. Guests are welcome to enjoy the Vermont ambiance outside the auditorium before the performance and during intermission.
Are discounted tickets available?
Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, subject to availability. Student discounts are also available. Please contact our box office for more information.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
For concerts that are not sold out, tickets can be purchased at the door. Our box office opens one hour before the performance. Even when a concert is sold out, returned tickets do sometimes become available on the day of the performance. Please contact our box office for more information.
Is there a waiting list for sold out concerts?
Due in part to our exchange policy, we often have tickets returned in the days before a concert — and we make it our mission to get those seats into the hands of people who want them. If a sold-out concert is on your wish list and your plans are flexible, we encourage you to join the waiting list. While we can’t guarantee availability, the waiting list works more often than you might think. Join the waiting list through our online form or by contacting our box office.
Can I return or exchange tickets if my plans change?
We understand that plans change. While we are unable to offer refunds on returned tickets, we are happy to exchange your tickets for another performance, subject to availability. If you’re unable to attend and don’t wish to exchange, unused tickets donated back to us are gratefully accepted for resale—with a tax-deductible receipt provided—as a contribution to our Annual Fund.
How do I get my tickets?
Tickets ordered in March, April, and May are mailed to patrons during the first week of June and on a rolling basis thereafter. If you’d prefer to pick up your tickets at the box office before the concert, please request “will call” at checkout. Orders placed within 10 days of a concert are automatically held at “will call” to be picked up prior to the concert. The box office opens one hour before the concert.
If you have specific requests for mailing or not mailing your tickets, you may also include a note at checkout or contact us at [email protected].
How can I replace lost tickets?
If you cannot find your tickets, no worries! You can come to the performance and provide the name and email that the tickets were purchased under. We will promptly look up your order and get you to your seats.
If you would like us to resend your order confirmation, simply email us at [email protected].
When is the box office open?
During the summer, our box office in Persons Auditorium is open one hour before performances and:
Sunday: 9 am to 12:30 pm
Weekdays and Saturday: 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm
How do you keep tickets so affordable?
Marlboro’s ticket prices remain intentionally modest thanks to the generosity of our community of supporters. You are warmly invited to join them by adding a contribution when you purchase your tickets.
How can I get a brochure?
To join our mailing list and to request a ticket brochure, e-mail your full name and address to [email protected].
Can everyone attend open rehearsals?
Yes, all visitors are welcome to attend open rehearsals throughout the week in Persons Auditorium. Open rehearsal schedules are posted at the start of each week on our website. As schedules are subject to change, we recommend checking the website or calling our reception desk at 802-254-2394 to confirm before making the trip to campus. Admission is free and no tickets are required.
Is there a pre-concert talk or introduction?
Yes, we invite you to join us under the canopy outside Persons Auditorium 45 minutes before each performance for an informal introduction to Marlboro and the concert program. These talks are led by Artistic Consultant Ara Guzelimian or another member of our staff and offer a wonderful way to deepen your experience of Marlboro before the concert begins.
When should I arrive at the concert?
Persons Auditorium opens one hour before the performance, and doors to the concert hall open 30 minutes prior. We suggest arriving at least 45 minutes early—this gives you time to park, get settled, and join us outside the auditorium for a pre-concert introduction to Marlboro. Please note that latecomers are admitted between pieces but not between movements, so arriving on time ensures you won’t miss the opening work.
What do I wear?
Whatever you want! There’s no dress code at our concerts. We just want you to be comfortable and enjoy the music. Because the hall is air conditioned prior to concerts, we suggest wearing layers.
What if I’m late?
If you arrive after the performance has begun, you are welcome to listen from the lobby and will be seated between pieces. Please note that we are unable to seat guests between movements, out of consideration for the artists and your fellow audience members.
When do I applaud?
Applause is generally reserved for the conclusion of a piece so as not to disturb the concentration of the artists. When you’re blown away by a performance, by all means make it known!
Can I use my phone?
Please silence your phone before the performance begins. We encourage you to share your experience with others—feel free to snap a photo and tag us on social media @marlboromusic before the concert or during intermission. Out of consideration for the artists and your fellow audience members, we ask that phones remain silent and put away during the performance.
Is photography or recording allowed during the concert?
To preserve the experience for all audience members and protect the integrity of the performance, photography and audio or video recording is not permitted during the concert. Please leave professional cameras and recording equipment at home. Casual photography is welcome before the performance and during intermission—and we’d love for you to share your experience and tag us @marlboromusic.
Please note that Marlboro Music staff may photograph and record performances for archival and media purposes.
Do you offer gift certificates for concerts?
Yes. Gift certificates for concert tickets are available in any amount and valid for the season in which they are issued. To purchase a gift certificate, please contact us at [email protected].
Where do I park?
Parking is available in the field above Persons Auditorium, and attendants will be on hand to direct you when you arrive—so don’t worry if it’s your first time. A limited number of accessible parking spaces are located on the circle immediately in front of the auditorium entrance. You are also welcome to drop off members of your party at the circle before proceeding to park. For questions about parking, please contact us.
Is food and drink available?
At evening concerts, there is a refreshment stand outside Persons Auditorium where you can enjoy beverages and small bites served by our friends at The Nutmeg Vermont. At afternoon concerts, the Marlboro Historical Society offers light refreshments, with proceeds supporting their programs and conservation activities. While there is no formal picnic area on campus, audiences are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the grassy areas around the auditorium. No food or drink is available on campus during open rehearsals. For local dining options, please explore the Plan Your Visit section of our website.
Is the auditorium air conditioned?
Yes, a geothermal air conditioning system was installed in the concert hall in 2014.
Are facilities at Marlboro accessible and ADA compliant?
Marlboro Music warmly welcomes all visitors and is committed to making our performances and facilities accessible to everyone. Persons Auditorium is ADA compliant, with accessible parking, an accessible restroom in the lobby, and a hearing aid induction loop to improve sound quality for patrons with compatible hearing devices.
Wheelchair-accessible seating is available throughout the hall, and patrons are welcome to remain in their wheelchairs or transfer to seats according to their preference. Our staff and volunteers are happy to assist with getting from the lobby to your seat, and to store wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices during the performance.
In accordance with ADA regulations, only service animals are permitted inside the venue. If you plan to bring a service animal, please let us know at the time of ticket purchase.
We encourage all patrons with specific accessibility needs to mention them when purchasing tickets so we can do our best to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable visit. For questions, please contact us.
Who should I contact in advance if I have specific accessibility needs?
For questions about accessibility or to discuss specific accommodations in advance of your visit, please contact Box Office Manager Patrick LaVecchia-Burke at [email protected] or by phone at 215-569-4690 (until mid-June) or 802-254-2394 (summer). Patrick is happy to help ensure your visit is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Is the path from the parking area to the auditorium accessible?
Our campus is situated on a Vermont hillside, and the path from the main parking area to the auditorium includes some steps and slopes. Patrons with limited mobility are welcome to be dropped off on the circle directly in front of the auditorium entrance before the driver proceeds to park. Accessible parking spaces are also available on the circle and nearby. Staff and volunteers are on hand to assist anyone who needs help getting from their car to their seat.
If you anticipate needing assistance upon arrival, we encourage you to contact our box office in advance so we can make sure someone is ready to help when you get here.
How do I connect to the hearing loop?
Persons Auditorium is equipped with a hearing aid induction loop (also known as a T-coil or telecoil system), which transmits sound directly to compatible hearing aids and cochlear implants. To connect:
- Check that your hearing aid or cochlear implant is T-coil compatible.
- Once seated in the auditorium, switch your hearing aid to the T-coil or “T” setting.
- Adjust the volume to your preference.
If you have questions about the system or need assistance connecting, please don’t hesitate to ask a member of our staff.
What kinds of organizations is the campus best suited for?
The Campus at Marlboro Music is ideally suited for organizations working in music, the arts, education, and the environment. Past and current partners that have found a home here include chamber music programs, dance companies, college programs, visual arts and writers’ workshops, meditation groups, environmental stewardship organizations, and other arts and educational initiatives.
We welcome inquiries from organizations of all sizes and are particularly interested in partnering with groups that can benefit from the campus’s unique combination of world-class arts facilities, intimate community spaces, expansive natural surroundings, and rich cultural legacy.
What values or criteria does Marlboro use to evaluate prospective programs?
Marlboro seeks partners whose programs advance our nonprofit mission of supporting music, the arts, learning, and community engagement, and who share our deep appreciation for the natural environment and the facilities that make this campus so conducive to creativity, learning, and artistic inspiration.
In evaluating prospective programs, we consider both mission alignment and organizational fit—including a partner’s ability to contribute to the shared costs of maintaining and operating the campus. Rather than a transactional relationship, we think of our campus partnerships in a collaborative way, and we look for organizations that approach them in that spirit. If you feel your organization might be a good fit, we warmly invite you to begin a conversation with us.
What time of year is the campus available to partner organizations?
The Campus at Marlboro Music is available to partner organizations from September through May, when Marlboro Music’s summer festival season has concluded. This nine-month window offers a wonderful opportunity for organizations seeking a fully-equipped, inspiring, and self-contained campus in a beautiful natural setting.
How long can an organization come to campus for?
Residency lengths are flexible and tailored to the needs of each partner organization. Some groups come for a single weekend or a focused multi-day intensive, while others establish longer residencies of several weeks or months. We welcome inquiries from organizations at both ends of that spectrum and everywhere in between.
While we are particularly interested in recurring and longer-term partnerships that allow organizations to put down roots and make the most of everything the campus has to offer, we are also happy to discuss shorter engagements with groups whose programs are a strong mission fit or whose logistical needs are straightforward to accommodate.
Whatever the length of your stay, our goal is to make the campus feel like a true home for your program and community.
What arts and studio facilities are available?
The Campus at Marlboro Music offers an exceptional range of arts and studio facilities, maintained to the highest standards.
Performing arts facilities include 540-seat Persons Auditorium, the primary venue for Marlboro Music concerts; the Whittemore Theatre, a versatile multi-purpose venue for musical performances, theatrical productions, and meetings; and the Serkin Center for the Performing Arts, which features a 2,500 square foot dance studio, a 120-seat auditorium, gallery space, practice rooms, and meeting rooms.
The Jerome and Celia Bertin Reich Building is a world-class facility housing three spacious music rehearsal studios and generous social and administrative spaces.
The Center for Visual Arts offers three floors of state-of-the-art studio facilities, with dedicated spaces for ceramics, woodworking, sculpture, painting, welding, and digital media, as well as gallery space.
A full list of arts and educational spaces is available here.
What classroom, seminar, and meeting spaces are available?
As the former home of a liberal arts college, the Marlboro campus offers a wealth of academic and meeting spaces well suited to seminars, scholarly retreats, writing residencies, breakout sessions, and gatherings of all kinds.
Two buildings in the heart of campus are particularly noteworthy. Dalrymple Hall, with its rich collection of offices, studios, and classrooms that range from cozy individual workspaces to large convening spaces accommodating 40 or more, makes an ideal home for writing residencies and scholarly retreats. Rice-Aron Hall, the largest building on campus and formerly the college library, offers ample, flexible floor space, numerous office and meeting rooms, and a private reading deck with panoramic views stretching to Massachusetts.
Additional meeting and seminar spaces are available throughout the campus, including in the Reich Building and the Serkin Center. A full list of educational spaces is available here.
Are hiking and cross-country ski trails open to the public?
The campus is home to an extensive network of trails that wind through its 560 acres of forests and hilltop terrain, connecting to the broader trail network maintained by the town of Marlboro. Friends and neighbors are warmly welcome to enjoy these trails year-round; we ask only that visitors respect the privacy of our spaces and any groups in residence on campus.
In winter, the trails are groomed and maintained by the Marlboro Nordic Ski Club, which offers access to the cross-country ski trail network on a membership basis. We encourage those interested in skiing to visit marlboronordicskiclub.org for membership information and trail conditions.
Please note that during the summer festival season, the campus is not open to the general public, with the exception of the concert hall and its surrounding grounds. We look forward to welcoming you as a concert audience member during those months.
Can partner organizations house their participants on campus?
Yes. The Campus at Marlboro Music is well equipped to house partner organizations and their participants, with a range of accommodations suited to groups of varying sizes and needs.
Highlights include the award-winning, HGA-designed New Residence Hall, one of nine on-campus dormitories with a combined capacity of 169 people. The campus also offers a selection of private cottages, cabins, and apartments.
This breadth of housing options makes the campus particularly well suited to residential programs—whether an intimate gathering of a dozen artists or a larger community of scholars, students, or performers. Full details of all available accommodations are available on our dormitories and housing page, and we encourage prospective partners to reach out to discuss the arrangements that would work best for their program.
How many people can be housed at one time?
Campus housing can accommodate up to 169 participants in our nine dormitories, with capacity varying depending on whether rooms are configured as singles or doubles. Additional housing in our cottages, cabins, apartments, and off-campus houses can extend that capacity further, making the campus suitable for both intimate gatherings and larger residential programs.
We have hosted groups with as many as 300 participants. Because housing needs vary so widely from one organization to the next, we find that the best approach is to discuss your specific requirements directly. We encourage prospective partners to reach out so we can help identify the configuration that works best for your group.
What types of accommodations are available?
The campus offers a range of housing options to suit groups of different sizes and needs, including dormitories, private cottages, cabins, and apartments. Full details are available on our housing page, and we encourage prospective partners to contact us to discuss the options best suited to their program.
Is dining available to organizations on campus?
Yes. Dining for partner organizations is provided by the Brattleboro Food Co-op, a community institution and one of the region’s finest natural food markets, with over 9,000 shareholders. The Co-op brings its commitment to fresh, healthy, and locally sourced food to our campus dining hall, drawing on relationships with local farms and producers to create menus that are as nourishing as they are delicious.
The Co-op works closely with each partner organization to develop menus that suit their specific dining needs and budgets, making it easy to arrange everything from simple daily meals to more elaborate catering for special events.
Beyond their shared values around food, our partnership with the Co-op reflects a broader mutual commitment to the local community, supporting regional farms, creating local jobs, and strengthening the cultural and economic life of Southern Vermont.
What is the Campus at Marlboro Music, and who manages it?
The Campus at Marlboro Music is a beautiful 560-acre property in the hilltop town of Marlboro, Vermont, that has served as the summer home of Marlboro Music since the festival’s founding in 1951. In 2021, Marlboro Music purchased the campus—formerly home to Marlboro College—ensuring that this treasured place would be preserved and maintained for generations to come.
The campus is owned and operated by Potash Hill, Inc., a nonprofit subsidiary of Marlboro Music, doing business as The Campus at Marlboro Music. Day-to-day activities are overseen by Managing Director Kayla Yannatos and a dedicated team that includes Facilities Director Dan Cotter and Operations Director Karen Kloster, who together ensure that the campus runs smoothly and that every partner organization feels genuinely at home here. Visit the campus page for more information.
Are campus facilities available to other organizations?
Yes. The Campus at Marlboro Music welcomes inquiries from mission-aligned organizations seeking a world-class facility in an inspiring natural setting. We are especially well-suited for programs in the arts, education, and the environment, and we take pride in offering partners not just exceptional facilities, but privacy, rural beauty, and a rich cultural legacy that few campuses anywhere can match.
We invite interested organizations to contact Managing Director Kalya Yannatos to learn more and to arrange a tour of the campus. We would be delighted to explore how a partnership might work, and to discuss the arrangements—including facilities, housing, dining, and cost-sharing—that would best serve your program and community.
Please note that the campus is available to partner organizations from September through May, when Marlboro Music’s summer festival season is not in session.
What is the cell phone reception like on campus?
Cell phone reception on campus can vary depending on your carrier and your location on the property. Like much of rural Vermont, signal strength can be unpredictable in some areas.
The campus is equipped with fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout, so we recommend that partner organizations and their participants use Wi-Fi-based communication tools such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, or similar apps as a primary means of staying in touch. These work reliably on campus and can be a more dependable option than cellular service alone.
If consistent connectivity is essential to your program—whether for livestreaming, video conferencing, or other bandwidth-intensive activities—we encourage you to discuss your specific technical needs with us in advance so we can ensure the right arrangements are in place.
Is the campus pet-friendly?
While we love animals, Marlboro Music events are not generally set up to accommodate pets. We ask that audience members make alternative arrangements for their animals during their visit.
Service animals and emotional support animals are of course welcome on campus with appropriate documentation. If you plan to bring a service or emotional support animal, please let us know at the time of your inquiry so we can make any necessary arrangements. Only service animals are permitted inside Persons Auditorium during performances.
Partner organizations determine whether or not pets are allowed during their events on campus. Organizers that plan to allow them should contact us in advance to discuss their specific situation.
What should I know about the campus layout?
The central campus is compact and walkable, with academic buildings, arts facilities, housing, and dining all nestled within easy reach of one another—a quality that fosters a natural sense of community and is particularly welcome during Vermont’s winter months. The surrounding landscape of fields, forests, and hilltop terrain gives the campus a feeling of privacy and seclusion that many partner organizations find conducive to focused, immersive work.
Beyond the central campus, the property extends across 560 acres of mostly undeveloped land, with miles of trails tucked into the surrounding landscape. Getting oriented is easy, and our staff are always happy to show you around.
A map of the campus is available here, and we warmly encourage prospective partners to arrange an in-person visit to experience the campus firsthand.
How long does it take to get there from nearby towns?
The Marlboro campus is a 20-25 minute drive from Brattleboro and approximately 20 minutes from Wilmington. For those traveling from further afield, Hartford’s Bradley International Airport is approximately 90 minutes away, and Boston’s Logan Airport is roughly 2.5 hours by car. Amtrak’s Vermonter line offers daily service to Brattleboro from New York and other east coast cities, from which the campus is a short drive.
How do I get started exploring a campus partnership?
We would love to hear from you. To discuss partnership opportunities and explore whether the campus might be a good fit for your organization, we warmly invite you to reach out to Marlboro Music Managing Director Kalya Yannatos at 802-258-9211 or [email protected]. For general inquiries about the campus and its facilities, please contact us at [email protected]. If you haven’t already, we also encourage you to complete our online inquiry form, which helps us understand your organization and its needs so we can make the most of our initial conversation.