Music Academy of the West announces 2024 Summer Music Festival

(April 2, 2024, Santa Barbara, CA) — The Music Academy of the West, now in its 77th season,
inspires artists and concert-goers alike with the 2024 Summer Music Festival themed “The Magic of
Music.” The Festival showcases talented young musicians and outstanding teaching and guest artists
in a wide array of one-of-a- kind performances, chamber concerts, public masterclasses, and
competitions under the new leadership of President & CEO Shauna Quill.

The 2024 Summer Music Festival, which runs from June 12 through August 3 at the Music Academy’s
idyllic campus — and throughout the stunning setting of the American Riviera in Santa Barbara,
California — features nearly 130 live events including special performances by Joshua Bell,
Lawrence Brownlee, Sasha Cooke, Jeremy Denk, Steven Isserlis, Leila Josefowicz, Richard O’Neill,and the Takács Quartet.

This season’s Academy Festival Orchestra concerts are led by Minnesota Orchestra Conductor Laureate
Osmo Vänskä, Music Director of the San Bernardino Symphony and famed film score conductor Anthony
Parnther, New Jersey Symphony Music Director Xian Zhang (making her Music Academy debut), former
Music Director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra David Robertson,
and Finnish National Opera and Ballet Chief Conductor Hannu Lintu, who for the second consecutive
summer leads fellows in the final performance of the Festival. The Academy’s Principal Opera
Conductor, Daniela Candillari, takes the podium for a fully staged production of Bizet’s Carmen,
directed by Ken Cazan, and Mary Birnbaum directs Ravel’s one-act opera L'enfant et les sortilèges.

Special events include a lecture and performance of Charles Ives’ “Concord” Piano Sonata with
Jeremy Denk in honor of the composer’s 150th birthday anniversary; a duo recital by Joshua Bell and
Jeremy Denk at Santa Barbara’s historic Granada Theatre; an homage to the music of Gabriel Fauré
performed by Joshua Bell, Jeremy Denk, Steven Isserlis, Richard O’Neill, and a Music Academy violin
fellow; a rare performance by Conor Hanick, Timo Andres, and the Academy’s solo piano fellows of
Philip Glass’ Complete Piano Études; solo recitals by Mosher guest artists Steven Isserlis and
Lawrence Brownlee; and a program of uplifting songs and spirituals performed by the Lehrer Vocal
Institute fellows, coached by Lawrence Brownlee, and inspired by his acclaimed album Rising.

Additionally, the season kicks off on June 1 with an inspiring Summer Gala to benefit the Academy’s
Sing! Children’s Chorus and the Music Academy fellows’ full scholarship program. Themed “Magic of
the Music Academy: A New Era,” the gala features a performance by cellist, curator, composer, and
Music Academy alumnus Joshua Roman.

“We look forward to welcoming music lovers in the Santa Barbara community and beyond to immerse
themselves in the Music Academy's 77th Summer Music Festival," said Quill. "With 130 captivating
performances, the Festival stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing and
educating our exceptional fellows. Through collaboration with 60 esteemed teaching artists, guest
musicians, and directors we aspire to create a truly unforgettable summer
of music.”

Tickets

General Public
Subscriptions for the 2024 Summer Music Festival are on sale April 10 at musicacademy.org.
Individual tickets are available starting May 1. Tickets and additional information are available
via email ticketoffice@musicacademy.org or by calling the Ticket Office at 805-969-8787.
Community Access Tickets
The Music Academy is committed to ensuring the Santa Barbara community has access to and is
inspired by the magic of music. $10 Community Access Tickets are available for the 2024 Summer
Festival beginning on June 7 at 10 AM, subject to availability. Tickets are available in person at
the Music Academy Carsey Ticket Office and online. The Community Access Ticket program is made
possible in the loving memory of Linda Sawyer Frankel.

For more information, download the Music Academy Summer Festival press kit.

About the Music Academy of the West

Located in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West creates a space where exceptional talent
can thrive by encouraging artists to stretch, experiment, improvise, and play. The Music Academy
provides artists with the tools they need to become not just great musicians but great leaders. The
Music Academy’s programs include the annual eight-week Summer School & Music Festival which trains
up to 150 fellows ages 18-34 and presents more than 130 performances and events, competitions, and
a fully staged opera; Sing!, a children’s choir that performs with local, national, and
international partners; the MAX (Music Academy Exchange) partnership with international orchestras;
the innovative Alumni Enterprise Awards; and the Mariposa Series of concerts by Academy-affiliated
artists. The 2024 Summer School & Festival takes place from June 12 through August 3. Learn more at
musicacademy.org.

Press Contacts

For further information, contact:
Kerry Allen
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Music Academy of the West
kallen@musicacademy.org
805-895-9491