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 introduces its audiences to renowned local, national, and international artists in intimate, informal settings where patrons have an opportunity to see and hear the artists up close and personal. Along with the 5-concert subscription series from October through May, CMOTF also offers 3 free family concerts each summer in partnership with the Lords Park Zoo, as well as an annual celebration of the arts in partnership with the City of Elgin and SEIGLE Foundation. A 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, CMOTF relies on generous donations from individuals, sponsorships, grants, and ticket sales.

Mission Statement

The mission of Chamber Music on the Fox is to present engaging, enriching, and immersive performances and cultural experiences to Fox Valley residents and enhance and enrich the cultural offerings of the area while maintaining the highest caliber of artistic excellence for the cultural life of the Fox Valley and its Environs.

Elizabeth Rupp
Interim 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.

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Lauren Holmer
Arts Administrator
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Lauren Holmer is excited to be a part of the Chamber Music on the Fox team! Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in voice. She enjoys the intersection of organizational administration and the arts, and is delighted to serve CMOTF as the Arts Administrator. Since relocating to the Chicago suburbs in 2020, she also works as the Executive Administrator for an Elgin church and currently enjoys singing with the Elgin Master Chorale.

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.