Subscriptions

& Special Events

SUBSCRIBE to secure the best seats all summer long.

Dive into an unparalleled blend of world-class performances and musical discovery, from an iconic film score to symphonic works that have inspired generations, set against the stunning backdrop of Santa Barbara.

Subscribers get early access to special events, add-on events, and picnic table reservations.

The Orchestral

Elements

Academy Festival Orchestra Series

Witness the raw power and nuanced beauty of a full symphony orchestra as it transforms into a surging ocean, a cosmic meditation, or a hypnotic dance. Be moved as monumental works, led by today’s top conductors, are performed by tomorrow’s stars.

What's Included

Sat, Jun 28, 7:30 PM • Pictures at an Exhibition – Anthony Parnther conductor

VALERIE COLEMAN Seven O’Clock Shout

ERNEST CHAUSSON Poème, Op. 25 with Mosher Guest Artist RANDALL GOOSBY violin

MODEST MUSSORGSKY ARR. RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition

Sat, Jul 5, 7:30 PM • Strauss & Akiho – David Danzmayr conductor

ANDY AKIHO Sculptures with Mosher Guest Artist ANDY AKIHO percussion (Music Academy co-commission)

RICHARD STRAUSS Also sprach Zarathustra

Sat, Jul 12, 7:30 PM • Poulenc & Piazzola – Daniela Candillari conductor

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA ARR. WEINHARDT Oblivion

PIAZZOLLA ARR. ALLEN Le Grand Tango with RICHARD O’NEILL viola

SARAH GIBSON* warp & weft (* ’09 Music Academy alum)

FRANCIS POULENC Sinfonietta

Sat, Aug 2, 7:30 PM • Ravel's Bolero – Stéphane Denève conductor

MAURICE RAVEL Une barque sur l’ocean

HECTOR BERLIOZ La Mort de Cléopâtre
with Mosher Guest Artist CHRISTINE GOERKE soprano

ALBERT ROUSSEL Bacchus et Ariane, Op. 43, Suite No. 2

RAVEL Bolero

Sat, Aug 9, 7:30 PM • Mahler's Symphony No. 3 – Miguel Harth-Bedoya conductor

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 3 in D Minor with JULIA HOLOMAN mezzo-soprano fellow, Sing! & the Music Academy Women’s Chorus

Voices

Transformed

Lehrer Vocal Institute Series

Journey from a reimagined Don Giovanni set in Hollywood’s golden age to intimate song recitals and opera vignettes as our Lehrer Vocal Institute fellows use their extraordinary voices to transform notes on a page into living, breathing characters and emotions that transcend time and place.

What's Included

Thu, Jun 19, 7:30 PM • Origin Stories in Song

The Music Academy’s Lehrer Vocal Institute delves into its roots as a cultivator of art song with a special evening of fellow-selected songs that share their personal journeys.

Fri, Jun 27, 7:30 PM • Opera Scenes

Experience a full range of theatrical excerpts from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly to Kevin Puts’ The Hours, staged by Lehrer Vocal Institute directing fellow Vanessa Ogbuehi.

Fri, Jul 18, 7:30 PM & Sun, Jul 20, 2 PM • Mozart's Don Giovanni

Set in the 1930’s golden age of Hollywood film, this all-new production explores the power dynamic of the sexes through innovative direction by Mo Zhou, conducted by Christian Reif.

Tue, Aug 5, 7:30 PM • Love & Laughter

Set in 1950’s New York, two musical gems are reimagined by director Kristine McIntyre. Ned Rorem’s Four Dialogues tracks a relationship in four vignettes from meeting to separation, while William Bolcom’s zarzuela-inspired Lucrezia is a comedic reflection of human nature.

Summer Sensations

Lobero Nights Series

Join us in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara for unforgettable performances as our unrivaled teaching artists—from the world-renowned Takács Quartet to Grammy-winning soloists—bring chamber music treasures to life. Vibrant artistic conversations emerge as profound musical relationships unfold before your eyes and ears.

What's Included

Thu, Jun 20, 7:30 PM • Takács Quartet @ 50

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN String Quartet No. 59 in G Minor, “Rider”

LEOŠ JANÁCEK String Quartet No. 1, “Kreutzer Sonata”

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3

Thu, Jun 26, 7:30 PM • Teaching Artist Showcase: Mozart & Ravel

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART String Quintet No. 4 in G Minor, K. 516
Takács Quartet

MAURICE RAVEL Trois Poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé
Sasha Cooke mezzo-soprano
Richie Hawley clarinet
Jeremy Denk piano

FRANCIS POULENC Sonata for Cello and Piano, FP 143
Julie Albers cello
Jeremy Denk piano

Sat, Jul 26, 7:30 PM • Teaching Artist Showcase: Brahms & Schubert

JOHANNES BRAHMS String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 111
Sibbi Bernhardsson violin
Milan Milisavljević viola
Alan Stepansky cello

FRANZ SCHUBERT Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, “The Trout”
Martin Beaver violin
Scott Pingel double bass
Jeremy Denk piano

Fri, Aug 8, 7:30 PM • Duo & Song Winners Recital Finale

Celebrate with us as the summer’s prize-winning artists from the Marilyn Horne Song Competition and Duo Competition display their virtuosic artisty in three mini-recitals.

Beethoven Plus Series

Immerse yourself in Beethoven’s revolutionary piano sonatas with celebrated pianist Jeremy Denk in three evenings of brilliant performance and insightful commentary.

Each 75-minute lecture-recital highlights a masterwork (or two) — the stormy drama of Op. 31 “Tempest,” the transcendent beauty of Op. 110, and his final piano sonata Op. 111 — thoughtfully paired with complementary pieces that reveal new dimensions of Beethoven’s genius from Nina Simone to Ligeti and Wagner.

What's Included

Tue, Jul 15, 7:30 PM • Beethoven+ Night 1

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90

HÉLÈNE DE MONTGEROULT Selected Études

BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2, “Tempest”

GYÖRGY LIGETI Étude No. 6, Automne à Varsovie (Autumn in Warsaw)

LIGETI Étude No. 13, L’escalier du diable (The Devil’s Staircase)

Wed, Jul 16, 7:30 PM • Beethoven+ Night 2

FREDERIC RZEWSKI De Profundis

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111

Thu, Jul 17, 7:30 PM • Beethoven+ Night 3

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1

NINA SIMONE / ARR. IVERSON Just in Time

RICHARD WAGNER / ARR. LAMBERT “Pilgrim’s Chorus” from Tannhaüser

WAGNER / ARR. LISZT “Liebestod” from Tristan und Isolde

BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110

Music

in Bloom

Piano Spotlight Series

Indulge in an array of color and sound in this series of concerts highlighting the rare talent and virtuosity of our piano fellows. Experience the full flowering of pianistic possibility and see why the keyboard remains music’s most versatile storytelling instrument.

What's Included

Tue, Jul 22, 7:30 PM & Tue, Jul 29, 7:30 PM • Solo Piano Spotlights

Expect fireworks as solo piano fellows display their talent in piano sonatas guided by teaching artists Conor Hanick and Jeremy Denk.

Thu, Aug 7, 7:30 PM • Collaborative Piano Spotlight

This rare breed of pianist collaborates with a range of instrumentalists to bring duo works and sonatas to life. Experience true musical partnerships in this final performance dedicated to their artistry.

Musical Connections

x2 Series

Experience chamber music at its most revealing as renowned teaching artists share the spotlight with fellows in the ideal acoustic of Hahn Hall. Each intimate performance offers a unique perspective, whether celebrating women composers, exploring cultural heritage, or illuminating musical relationships across generations.

What's Included

Tue, Jul 1, 7:30 PM • Beethoven Piano Trio

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Piano Trio No. 43 in C Major

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3
Erin Keefe violin, Julie Albers cello

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Quintet for Horn and Strings in E-flat Major, K. 407
Richard O’Neill viola, Alan Stepansky cello

Tue, Jul 8, 7:30 PM • A Salute to Dennis Michel

CLAUDE DEBUSSY ARR. GEDIGIAN Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Timothy Day flute, Richie Hawley clarinet, Ben Kamins bassoon

PAQUITO D’RIVERA Aires Tropicales

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Serenade No. 11 in E-flat Major, K. 375
Richie Hawley clarinet, Eugene Izotov oboe, Dennis Michel bassoon

Thu, Jul 10, 7:30 PM • Glenn Dicterow: Examined Heritage

GIDEON KLEIN String Trio
Glenn Dicterow violin, Karen Dreyfus viola, Alan Stepansky cello

ROBERTO SIERRA Songs from the Diaspora
Sibbi Bernhardsson violin, Tamar Sanikidze piano

JOHANNES BRAHMS Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60
Glenn Dicterow violin, Karen Dreyfus viola, Alan Stepansky cello, Jonathan Feldman piano

Thu, Jul 24, 7:30 PM • Living in Color

FLORENCE PRICE Octet for Brasses and Piano
Billy Hunter trumpet, Weston Sprott trombone, Margaret McDonald piano

LUCIANO BERIO Linea
Conor Hanick piano, Michael Werner percussion

SARAH GIBSON* I prefer living in color (*09 Academy Alum)

SAMUEL CARL ADAMS Lighthouse WEST COAST PREMIERE
Richie Hawley clarinet, Conor Hanick piano

Thu, Jul 31, 7:30 PM • Cynthia Phelps: Femme Focus

MEL BONIS Septuor Fantaisie ou Concerto, Op. 72
Helen Kim violin, Cynthia Phelps viola, Margaret McDonald piano

JEFF SCOTT Sacred Women
Eugene Izotov oboe, Richie Hawley clarinet, William Short bassoon

AMY BEACH Piano Quintet in F-sharp Minor, Op. 67
Cynthia Phelps viola, Ani Aznavoorian cello, Natasha Kislenko piano

The Perfect Pairing

Salon Series

It’s the perfect summer script: sunset, wine, and musical storytelling.

Start your evening under Santa Barbara’s golden summer sky, wine glass in hand, before experiencing chamber music that unfolds like a perfectly framed scene. Our fellows share the musical director’s cut where every instrumental voice deserves its own spotlight—from Norman’s high-octane Gran Turismo to Tchaikovsky’s emotionally layered Piano Trio in A Minor.

Like a private screening of an award-winning film, these performances bring you so close to the action you’ll catch every nuance.

What's Included

Wed, Jul 9, 7:30 PM • Dvořak's Dumky

ANDREW NORMAN Gran Turismo

HINDEMITH Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 11, No. 1
Martin Beaver violin, Margaret McDonald piano

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 90, “Dumky”

ROBERT SCHUMANN Märchenbilder for Viola and Piano, Op. 113
Cynthia Phelps viola, Natasha Kislenko piano

Wed, Jul 23, 7:30 PM • Bolcom & the Bestiary

OSVALDO GOLIJOV Last Round

FRANCIS POULENC Le Bestiaire

WILLIAM BOLCOM The Walrus and the Carpenter
Martin Katz piano

CLARA SCHUMANN Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 17

Wed, Jul 30, 7:30 PM • Schumann & Mendelssohn

ROBERT SCHUMANN Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 47

ERNEST CHAUSSON Chanson perpétuelle

FELIX MENDELSSOHN String Quintet No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 87
Martin Beaver viola

Wed, Aug 6, 7:30 PM • Martinů & Tchaikovsky

BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Sextet for Piano and Winds

PYOTR IL’YICH TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50

Beyond

Boundaries

Composers in Context Series

Feel the thrill of new musical creation as groundbreaking composers share their vision. Connect with today’s most innovative musical voices in programs spanning percussion, string quartet, voice, and solo piano, as they guide the creative conversation between past and present, tradition and innovation.

What's Included

Wed, Jul 2, 7:30 PM • Composers in Context – Andy Akiho

ANDY AKIHO In/Exchange
Andy Akiho steel pan, Prometheus String Quartet

AKIHO Five Movements for Piano Trio, Mvts 1, 2, 5
AKIHO Murasaki (Purple)
Andy Akiho steel pan

AKIHO Aka (Red)
Andy Akiho steel pan, Prometheus String Quartet

MATTHEW AUCOIN Sources of Lift
Conor Hanick piano

TŌRU TAKEMITSU And then I knew ’twas Wind
Karen Dreyfus viola

Fri, Jul 25, 7:30 PM • Composers in Context – Huang Ruo & Kamala Sankaram

MAURICE RAVEL Chansons madécasses

KAMALA SANKARAM Listen
Sasha Cooke mezzo-soprano, John Churchwell piano

HUANG RUO The Work of Angels
Sasha Cooke mezzo-soprano, John Churchwell piano

RUO excerpt from The Monkey King World Premiere featuring Sing!

SANKARAM Naidu Songs World Premiere

MAX BRUCH Siechentrost-Lieder
Helen Kim violin, John Churchwell piano

Fri, Aug 1, 7:30 PM • Composers in Context – inti figgis-vizueta

CAROLINE SHAW Draft of a High-Rise

INTI FIGGIS-VIZUETA the motion between three worlds

INTI FIGGIS-VIZUETA [New Work] World Premiere
feat. solo piano fellows

INTI FIGGIS-VIZUETA fréimhe

LIGETI Trio for Violin, Horn, and Piano, Hommage à Brahms
Helen Kim violin, Jennifer Montone horn, Conor Hanick piano

Masterclasses

Witness exceptional young artists take their craft to the next level.

What sets the Music Academy apart is the unique opportunity to observe masterclasses all summer long, led by world-class teaching artists.

Lehrer Vocal Institute Masterclass Series

Jun 26: John Churchwell
Jul 10: Sasha Cooke
Jul 24: Martin Katz
Jul 31: Christine Goerke Mosher Guest Artist
Aug 7: Tamar Sanikidze

Solo Piano Masterclass Series

Jun 27: Jeremy Denk
Jul 18: Conor Hanick
Aug 1: Jeremy Denk
Aug 8: Conor Hanick

Get More
Spend Less

Purchase a Masterclass Voucher Pack

Special

Events

Special Events

Get early access to special event single tickets when purchased alongside any series.

JAWS @ 50!

Sat, Jun 21, 7:30 PM • Granada Theatre • $35–125

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest motion pictures of all time, JAWS, with the full power of the Academy Festival Orchestra, conducted by Ben Palmer.

Directed by Academy Award®-winner Steven Spielberg, JAWS set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police, a young marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again.

Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, JAWS remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.

Mosher Guest Artist Randall Goosby

Wed, Jun 25, 7:30 PM • Hahn Hall • $65–70

The 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient brings his signature blend of technical virtuosity and profound musicality to a decadent program of violin sonatas and chamber music.

Goosby is joined by fellows and two Academy alums: his brother, cellist Miles Goosby, and pianist Zhu Wang, creating musical connections that bridge family bonds, artistic lineage, and Music Academy history in one extraordinary evening.

JOSEPH BOLOGNE, CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES Violin Sonata No. 3 in G Minor
MAURICE RAVEL Violin Sonata
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49, Mvts 1 & 2
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20, Mvt 1

PercussionFest

Thu, Jul 3, 7:30 PM • Granada Theatre • $35–125

A sonic adventure for all ages!

Feel the beat! Experience the exciting world of percussion in this visually stunning, family-friendly extravaganza where seeing the music is just as thrilling as hearing it.

Watch as everyday objects transform into amazing instruments and colorful motion, while synchronized percussionists create rhythmic wonders. Featuring movements from Grammy-nominated composer Andy Akiho’s shimmering Sculptures to a west coast premiere of The Bells by rock legend Stewart Copeland (of The Police), this multi-sensory adventure combines theatrical lighting, short films, and jaw-dropping performances that will captivate viewers of all ages.

Peter & the Wolf (Pedro y el Lobo)

Sat, Jul 19, 11 AM • Lobero Theatre • $25-50 Adults, $10 Children

Bring the whole family for this special bilingual production of Prokofiev’s symphonic tale for children at the Lobero Theatre, conducted by César Cañón, with acting and narration in both English (Michael Boudewyns) and Spanish from the vaudeville-inspired troop Really Inventive Stuff.

A young boy named Peter (strings) disobeys his grandfather (bassoon) and climbs over the garden wall. When he encounters a wolf (horn), with quick thinking and the help of his friends – a bird (flute), a duck (oboe), and a cat (clarinet) – will Peter save the day?

More Music to Enjoy

Add-On Events

Add these competitions and fellow performances to your order online and in person. Subscribers get early access!

STRING QUARTET SPOTLIGHT

Emerging Artists String Quartet

WED, Jun 18, 7:30 PM • Hahn Hall • $40–45

One standout quartet was selected for an all-new fellowship program this year. Join us for their Music Academy debut recital.

String Quartet Showcase

TUE, Jun 24, 7:30 PM • Hahn Hall • $40–45

Two all-new string quartets were hand picked from our incredible roster of fellows to elevate their collaborative artistry.

SummerFest COMPETITIONS

WITNESS THE STARS OF TOMORROW
Discover the next generation of star musicians as our incredible fellows take the stage to compete for the coveted titles, cash prizes, and performance opportunities.

Solo Piano Concerto Competition

in collaboration with Santa Barbara Symphony

FRI, Jun 20, 11 AM–5 PM • Hahn Hall • $55–60

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37

Duo Competition

FRI, JUL 25, 10 AM–5 PM • Hahn Hall • $55–60

Marilyn Horne Song Competition

TUE, JUL 29, 11 AM–5 PM • Hahn Hall • $55–60

LEHRER VOCAL INSTITUTE

Mozart's Don Giovanni in Concert

THU, JUL 17, 2 PM • Hahn Hall • $10

The covers (understudies) of this summer’s grand opera take center stage to offer a preview of Mozart’s masterpiece in an intimate setting.

Studio Artists Showcase

WED, JUL 23, 1:30 PM • Lehmann Hall • $40

An intimate recital highlighting the talent of our studio artists through arias and art song.

Support Tomorrow's Musicians

Beautiful Beachside Campus in Santa Barbara, CA.

Summer Music Festival & School

Sing!

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2. Attend

3. Connect

4. Leave a Lasting Mark

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Support Tomorrow's Musicians

Beautiful Beachside Campus in Santa Barbara, CA.

Summer Music Festival & School

Sing!

1. Apply

2. Attend

3. Connect

4. Leave a Lasting Mark

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Main Office

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Subscriptions

& Special Events

SUBSCRIBE to secure the best seats all summer long.

Browse Series

Add-Ons

Academy Festival Orchestra Series

What's Included

Lehrer Vocal Institute Series

What's Included

Lobero Nights Series

What's Included

Beethoven Plus Series

What's Included

Piano Spotlight Series

What's Included

x2 Series

What's Included

Salon Series

What's Included

Composers in Context Series

What's Included

Lehrer Vocal Institute Masterclass Series

Solo Piano Masterclass Series

Purchase a Masterclass Voucher Pack

Special Events

JAWS @ 50!

Sat, Jun 21, 7:30 PM • Granada Theatre • $35–125

Mosher Guest Artist Randall Goosby

Wed, Jun 25, 7:30 PM • Hahn Hall • $65–70

PercussionFest

Thu, Jul 3, 7:30 PM • Granada Theatre • $35–125

Peter & the Wolf (Pedro y el Lobo)

Sat, Jul 19, 11 AM • Lobero Theatre • $25-50 Adults, $10 Children

Add-On Events

STRING QUARTET SPOTLIGHT

Emerging Artists String Quartet

WED, Jun 18, 7:30 PM • Hahn Hall • $40–45

String Quartet Showcase

TUE, Jun 24, 7:30 PM • Hahn Hall • $40–45

SummerFest COMPETITIONS

Solo Piano Concerto Competition

in collaboration with Santa Barbara Symphony

FRI, Jun 20, 11 AM–5 PM • Hahn Hall • $55–60

Duo Competition

FRI, JUL 25, 10 AM–5 PM • Hahn Hall • $55–60

Marilyn Horne Song Competition

TUE, JUL 29, 11 AM–5 PM • Hahn Hall • $55–60

LEHRER VOCAL INSTITUTE

Mozart's Don Giovanni in Concert

THU, JUL 17, 2 PM • Hahn Hall • $10

Studio Artists Showcase

WED, JUL 23, 1:30 PM • Lehmann Hall • $40

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