Milton, GA (May 1, 2025) – Music Milton launched today with a mission to enrich the City of Milton and its neighboring communities with world-class music. Through imaginative concerts that provide an eclectic mix of musical genres and educational programs for youth, Music Milton aims to create exceptional experiences and build community around music. This announcement was made by Ronald Gilbert, founder and president of Music Milton.

 

Music Milton was formed by Gilbert, a retired GE executive and former planning commissioner for the
City of Milton. While traveling in Virginia, he and his wife visited a rural resort and looked into other
attractions in the area. They found a beautiful indoor-outdoor music venue with an intimate setting that
made it possible for audience members to interact with the musicians in receptions or over dinner. “The
musicians’ engagement with their audience succeeded in creating a supportive community around
music and music education,” said Gilbert. “After seeing what they had created, I knew I had to try to
recreate that experience for Milton.”

 

For four years, Gilbert has worked to establish Music Milton, which is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, and build its core team that includes Milton residents Richard Brown as vice president of operations and CaroleAnn Padgett as secretary-treasurer. The operational team is supported by its board of directors, which includes Milton-based Robert Beal and Dwight Jones.

 

After researching the viability of a new musical endeavor, Gilbert reached out to William Ransom and invited him to become Music Milton’s artistic director. Ransom is currently the Mary Emerson Professor of Music at Emory University, where he is founder and artistic director of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta. Ransom is also the artistic director for successful music festivals in Highlands — Cashiers, North Carolina, and Amelia Island, Florida. In 2024, Chamber Music America awarded him the “Community Impact/Presenter of the Year” prize in recognition of his success in building communities around music. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Ransom is a pianist, master teacher, editor and judge for international competitions.

 

Under Ransom’s guidance, Season One will get underway in fall 2025. “Season One is devoted to classical offerings and we are already preparing for Season Two, which will have a mix of musical genres,” said Ransom. “Music Milton will showcase outstanding musicians from the classical, jazz and bluegrass traditions.” Besides concerts, Music Milton will also offer learning experiences to Milton-area youth. There will be programs in partnership with public and private schools and masterclasses where exceptional young musicians can be mentored in technical and expressive skills by world-renowned musicians.

 

The following concerts are scheduled for Season One. All will be held on Saturday evenings in Milton:

 

Nov. 1, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. “The Eight Seasons” performed by The Vega String Quartet, quartet in residence at Emory University, with soloist and chamber musician Elizabeth Pridgen, piano. The Four Seasons, a group of four violin concerti by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi, will be interspersed with Astor Piazzolla’s beautiful and sultry tango-inspired Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Venue: Birmingham United Methodist Church.

 

Dec. 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. “Family Concert: Santa’s Favorite Chamber Music,” where we welcome Old Saint Nick himself to introduce some of his favorite classical works. He’ll also lead a sing-along of favorite holiday songs with pianists Julie Coucheron and William Ransom. Designed for young listeners but perfect for music lovers of all ages. Venue: St. Aidan’s Church

 

Feb. 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. “Beethoven’s 5th,” music of Ludwig van Beethoven, performed by David Coucheron, violin, concertmaster of Atlanta Symphony; Charae Krueger, cello, principal cellist for the Atlanta Opera Orchestra; the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra; and pianists William Ransom and Julie Coucheron. Venue: Birmingham United Methodist Church.

 

For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Music Milton’s events page.

 

About Music Milton

Music Milton was launched in May 2025 with the mission of building communities around world-class musical performances and education. Music Milton aims to welcome audiences from Milton’s surrounding communities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell and beyond. For more information, to purchase tickets, sign up to be a volunteer or donate, visit www.musicmilton.org.