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History of The Belleayre Conservatory

The Belleayre Conservatory was formed 13 years ago by a group of community and business leaders, who represented both full-time residents and second homeowners who had worked tirelessly to keep Belleayre Mountain Ski Center open after the threat to close it was made by the State of New York in 1990. It was clear at that time that Belleayre needed to remain an economic catalyst for the Route 28 communities, just as it had been designed to do.

What The Belleayre Conservatory intended to accomplish was to establish a summer music festival at Belleayre Mountain utilizing that facility which lay dormant during the off skiing months of each year. Especially important was and continues to be the unique partnership created between the NYS DEC and The Belleayre Conservatory. A partnership that has most recently been recognized by Governor Pataki and DEC Commissioner Crotty in letters written to honor Tony Lanza for his successes in more than doubling attendance at the mountain in his 5-year tenure as Superintendent of Belleayre Mountain. The 2006 Snow Ball attended by more then 325 community leaders and sponsored by The Belleayre Conservatory recognized Tony Lanza with the 'Spirit of the Catskills' award.

The Belleayre Conservatory has presented over 100 major musical presentations to an audience of more then 60,000 people. We have created an environment in which people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the best musical talent from around the world in the beautiful setting of Belleayre Mountain in the heart of the Catskill Mountain region. We continue to act as a major stimulus, during the summer months, to the economic growth of the region and have demonstrated our ability to sustain and advance long-term partnerships. Financial support to make the Belleayre Music Festival successful has been raised through grants, individual and corporate contributions and fundraisers from both upstate and downstate individuals and businesses. Grants from small and large foundations have helped to sustain and expand the number of performances and the 'recognition level' of the musicians. We began with a $50,000 budget for the first concert by the Brooklyn Philharmonic and in 2004 with 15 musical events scheduled during July into September our budget has reached to almost $600,000. Ticket sales have increased by 20% annually and more and more of the concerts are sold out.

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Belleayre Mountain, in the heart of the Catskill Forest Preserve, provides a four-season experience in the beautiful outdoors. Each summer the Belleayre Music Festival presents outstanding concerts under the tent and along the base of the ski slopes enjoying the beautiful nighttime skies. The Music Festival combines with the Spring Sports and Adventure Expo (June 19 & 20 th ), the 25 th Annual Fall Festival & Craft Fair (Columbus Day Weekend) and Winter Fest, (last week of January), to make Belleayre Mountain the hub of activities all year long.

Better known for its fabulous skiing experience, Belleayre Mountain has burst onto the scene with exciting spring, summer and fall activities that only add to the natural beauty and adventure of Nature's Theme Park. Woodland trails and ski slopes become new terrain for hikers and mountain bikers. The entire family can enjoy the pristine lake at the Belleayre Beach for a refreshing swim or a day of boating and fishing or perhaps a country picnic. The unspoiled beauty of the Belleayre area can be seen by taking a trolley ride through historic villages, or a scenic trip aboard the Delaware and Ulster Rail Ride. The Belleayre Mountain Sky Ride takes you to the top of the highest skiable peak in the Catskills, 3325 ft. above sea level, for an enjoyable lunch at the Lookout Café or to view one of the region's most spectacular mountain vistas. What better way to end a terrific day than to spend the evening listening to world-class music "Where the mountains meet the stars."

OPERATED BY THE NYS DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

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The Phyllis Litoff Pavilion

When you enter our big white performance tent for each concert you will pass under a wonderfully whimsical arch proclaiming the Phyllis Litoff Pavilion. In recognition of her tireless dedication to the Belleayre Music Festival, her love of these beautiful Catskill Mountains, and her indomitable spirit, the Board of Directors of the Belleayre Conservatory has named this performance space in her honor.

When Phillis and her husband Mel sold their Greenwich Village Jazz Club, Sweet Basil, in 1992, she told everyone that the next phase in her life would be devoted to her family, her community, and her love of music. With those goals in mind she contacted Joe Kelly, chairman of the two-year old Belleayre Conservatory and volunteered their services to help with the efforts. She believed more than anyone that the community surrounding Belleayre Mountain deserved and would sustain a world-class music festival and pledged her determination to bring that about. He accepted gladly and for the next ten years Phyllis was the driving force to move the fledgling organization towards its current position as the major summer performance center in the Catskill region.

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