The Music Academy of the West invites audiences to rediscover the wonder of live music through its 78th Summer Music Festival, running now through August 9. Set on the breathtaking Miraflores campus in Montecito and the Granada and Lobero theaters in Santa Barbara, the Festival celebrates “The Soundtrack to Summer,” offering eight exhilarating weeks of world-class performances, masterclasses, and immersive experiences featuring the next generation of classical musicians alongside leading artists of today.
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PercussionFest: Sculpture Meets Sound
July 3, 7:30 p.m. | The Granada Theatre
The Music Academy’s PercussionFest has long been a favorite—a thrilling, high-energy showcase of rhythm and movement. This year, it transforms into something even more ambitious. As you take your seat, prepare for a bold encounter with sound, motion, and imagination. This reimagined program is brought to life by Percussion fellows, teaching artists—PercussionFest founder and alum Michael Werner and composer and percussionist Joseph Pereira—and Mosher Guest Artist, Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist Andy Akiho, along with a pre-concert talk with Stewart Copeland (The Police). The performance layers percussive textures with theatrical lighting, short films, and sculptural instruments to create an immersive artistic experience and features the West Coast premiere of Copeland’s The Bells.
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Academy Festival Orchestra Series @ The Granada Theatre
A highlight of the summer season, the Academy Festival Orchestra returns with performances led by a roster of internationally acclaimed conductors.
Strauss & Akiho
July 5, 7:30 p.m. | The Granada Theatre
David Danzmayr, conductor
Andy Akiho, Mosher Guest Artist, percussion
Ravel’s Boléro
August 2, 7:30 p.m. | The Granada Theatre
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Christine Goerke, Mosher Guest Artist, soprano
Mahler’s Symphony No. 3
August 9, 7:30 p.m. | The Granada Theatre
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor
Julia Holoman, mezzo-soprano, Sing!, Academy’s Women’s Chorus
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Opera: Mozart’s Don Giovanni Takes the Stage
July 18, 7:30 p.m. & July 20, 2 p.m. | The Granada Theatre
The centerpiece of the Lehrer Vocal Institute is a bold new production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Set in the 1930’s Golden Age of Hollywood film, this production explores the power dynamic of the sexes through innovative direction by Mo Zho, conducted by Christian Reif.
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Family Favorites: Peter and the Wolf (Pedro y el Lobo)
July 19, 11 a.m. | Lobero Theatre
Bring the whole family for this bilingual production of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, narrated live and brought to life in both English and Spanish.
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Masterclasses: An Inside Look at Greatness
A cornerstone of the Music Academy experience, more than 70 public masterclasses provide rare behind-the-scenes access to the artistry and discipline of classical training. Audience members are invited to observe one-on-one instruction between fellows and faculty in voice, piano, and instrumental music.
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Brass @ The Bandshell
July 26, 11 a.m. | Plaza del Mar Bandshell, West Beach
The Music Academy of the West makes history with its first-ever community concert at the newly restored Plaza del Mar Bandshell! Brass @ the Bandshell is a free and lively outdoor performance featuring Music Academy brass fellows. Enjoy an energizing program of fanfares and favorites, including Bernstein’s Suite from West Side Story, all in the heart of one of Santa Barbara’s most treasured parks. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics to soak in the sunshine and sounds. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce the whole family to the joy of live music and the excitement of brass instruments—and to enjoy a musical celebration just steps from the beach.
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Teaching Artist Showcase
July 26, 7:30 p.m. | Lobero Theatre
The Festival’s celebrated teaching artists—renowned soloists, ensemble players, and educators—step into the spotlight in the Teaching Artist Showcase. These performances offer a chance to hear the master musicians behind the masterclasses in a series of intimate and virtuosic concerts.
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Tickets
Tickets for the 2025 Summer Music Festival are on sale now at musicacademy.org, by phone at 805-969-8787, and at the Carsey Ticket Office, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Music Academy proudly offers $10 Community Access Tickets for Santa Barbara County residents and complimentary tickets for youth ages 7–17 when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Photo credits: Shayne Gray (Copeland), Casey Wood (Akiho), Zach Mendez (Denève), Simon Pauly (Reif).
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Sponsored by the Music Academy of the West.
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