About Chamber Music on the Fox

Chamber Music on the Fox (CMOTF) is a world class chamber music series serving the Fox Valley region with engaging, enriching, and immersive live performances. Founded by cellist Sara Sitzer and bass trombonist Mark Fry in 2014, CMOTF presents concerts with high-caliber professional musicians in intimate settings, giving its audiences a unique chamber music experience. CMOTF provides a classical concert series in various locations along the Fox River Valley from October through May, as well as community events at local parks and libraries throughout the year. In all of its programming, CMOTF seeks to serve its community by providing engaging musical experiences that are accessible, enjoyable, and enriching.

Mission Statement

The mission of Chamber Music on the Fox is to present enriching cultural experiences to its audiences, and enhance the cultural life of the Fox Valley and its Environs through high-caliber, engaging chamber music performances.

Elizabeth Rupp
Managing Director
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Elizabeth Rupp graduated from Simpson College with a Bachelor’s in Music Education in 2011, specializing in vocal music. After graduation, she worked as an elementary general music teacher, as well as middle and high school choir teacher, before returning to her home state of Illinois. Her career in arts administration began in 2012 with her tenure at Elgin Master Chorale, serving as the Institutional Advancement Manager before becoming Executive Director in 2015. Elizabeth then went on to work as Managing Director for Children’s Theatre of Elgin in 2019, where she worked for over four years. Most recently, Elizabeth served as Managing Director for Lifeline Theatre in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. In addition to her work as an arts administrator, Elizabeth loves being involved in all aspects of the performing arts; she has worked as a vocal and piano private instructor and singer, and has led numerous children’s musical workshops and camps. Elizabeth is thrilled to have this chance to work for Chamber Music on the Fox and looks forward to leading this wonderful organization.

Sara Sitzer
Founder

Sara Sitzer, whose playing has been described as “rich” and “lustrous” by the Chicago Classical Review, is an active and versatile freelance cellist and entrepreneur in Chicago. A member of the Elgin Symphony, Sara also performs regularly with orchestras and ensembles including the Milwaukee Symphony and Chicago Opera Theater, as well as on Broadway in Chicago. Ms. Sitzer was founding Artistic Director of the Gesher Music Festival in St. Louis, MO, and founding Executive Director of Chamber Music on the Fox in Elgin, IL. She spends her summers performing and teaching at the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sara holds performance degrees from the University of Wisconsin and Boston University, and completed a 3-year fellowship with the New World Symphony in Miami under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.

Mark Fry
Founder

Mark Fry is currently the bass trombonist of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Philharmonic. Mr. Fry has performed with numerous orchestras in the United States, including the Lyric opera of Chicago, Grant Park Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Opera Theater, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Britt Festival Orchestra (Oregon), Sarasota Opera, and Des Moines Metro Opera. In the summer of 2001, he performed in the orchestra of the Spoleto Festival in Spoleto, Italy. Before moving to Chicago, he was the bass trombonist of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra in Honolulu. Mr. Fry appears on recordings with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller, New Black Music Repertory Ensemble and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra.