La Jolla Music Society's Live-Streamed SummerFest is a Triumph

La Jolla Music Society’s Live-Streamed SummerFest is a Triumph 

San Diego, CA - La Jolla Music Society’s annual music festival, SummerFest, proved to be a success in its new live-streamed format. Pared down from the original set of 17 concerts, the reimagined festival was composed of six performances with seven artists, including SummerFest Music Director Inon Barnatan. Barnatan was joined by violinists James Ehnes and Tessa Lark, violinist/violist Yura Lee, cellists Alisa Weilerstein and Clive Greensmith, and bassist Michael Thurber. The program incorporated some of the most beloved and popular works of the chamber music canon, including Schubert’s Trout Quintet and Mendelssohn’s stunning Piano Trio in D Minor, as well as Barnatan’s signature arrangements of symphonic works for chamber ensemble. 

The digital festival brought in viewers from around the country, with people tuning in from Los Angeles to Boston and everywhere in between. La Jolla Music Society utilized top of the line ultra HD robotic cameras and streaming equipment, professional grade audio recording devices, and a video production team with over 40 years of experience to bring the online concerts to life. Not only were people streaming the performances, they were also participating in the free education and community programming events. These events included open rehearsals, in-depth discussions with artists, and Prelude lectures, all of which are available to watch on YouTube. 

“I'm so proud we were able to uphold our commitment to community engagement by providing free-of-charge online events during this year's SummerFest. It's especially important to feel connected during this difficult time, and we created a sense of community through our interactive webinars and live-streams. This digital format gives us the opportunity to reach new audiences, and we hope to continue offering online activities in conjunction with in-person events in the future.”  - Allison Boles, Education and Community Programming Manager 

This summer, La Jolla Music Society also launched the Artist Cares Fund in an effort to support the musicians who were not able to perform at SummerFest 2020. Due to the generosity of patrons, LJMS has raised almost $50,000 for artists in need. The Artist Cares Fund campaign is continuing to accept donations through September 30. 

“This pandemic has jeopardized the futures and the livelihoods of so many working in the arts.  I am truly honored to work for an organization that deeply supports our family of artists and is committed to providing each of our festival musicians with financial relief during this global crisis.” - Leah Rosenthal, Artistic Director 

SummerFest was capped off with an intimate and socially distanced gala at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, with proceeds going to maintain La Jolla Music Society’s education and community programming activities. Guests were served a dinner crafted by A.R. Valentien’s Executive Chef Jeff Jackson while they watched the live performance, staged with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, from the comfort of their balcony suites. Gala Chair Debra Turner and SummerFest Chair Sue Wagener spearheaded the ambitious project, working closely with The Lodge at Torrey Pines to ensure the event was safe and congenial. 

"The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a strong supporter of the arts in San Diego and we are a proud partner of the La Jolla Music Society. We are thrilled to have created such a unique experience for their patrons during these unconventional fundraising times.” - Robert H. Gleason, President & Chief Executive Officer of Evans Hotels 

?????La Jolla Music Society now looks to next year’s festival, composed entirely of programming from the original iteration of SummerFest 2020, in hopes of having in-person audiences. Visit LJMS.ORG for more information about SummerFest and the Artist Cares Fund. 

ABOUT LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY  

As one of Southern California’s leading presenters of premier performing arts, La Jolla Music Society contributes to San Diego’s cultural vitality year-round through a rich variety of presentations, including classical, jazz, global roots, contemporary music, and dance. In addition to robust educational programs and community outreach, La Jolla Music Society produces SummerFest, a three-week music festival featuring over 80 world-class artists and ensembles performing eclectic concerts. For more information, visit www.LJMS.org, or call 858.459.3728. 

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