“The festival was absolutely transformative for me as a young, aspiring composer. I learned so much about the business and cultivation of new contemporary music. It was such a nurturing environment for my craft, and I draw from that experience consistently.” -Carlos Simon, San Francisco Classical Voice
“August is my favorite month in Santa Cruz. For two weeks, thanks to the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the town will be awash with brilliant music, much of it as new as tomorrow.” -Christina Waters, Good Times Santa Cruz
“Don’t miss the bounty of rehearsals and concerts at this year’s Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. The world will be listening!” -Christina Waters, Good Times Santa Cruz
“The appeal of the festival lies partly in its power base of outstanding musicians, many of whom return year after year to perform, rehearse and surprise each other.” -Christina Waters, Good Times Santa Cruz
“Music Director Cristian Măcelaru led the orchestra in two programs packed with music that was both accessible and rewarding.” – Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
“An entire microcosm springs up around the proceedings, devoted not only to new music, but also to camaraderie and a shared sense of adventure that encompasses the musicians and the audiences alike. Even a listener making lightning visits from farther north, as I’ve been doing for years, can feel how the festival’s welcoming warmth spills out beyond the confines of the hall.” -Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
“You could sense that Măcelaru would be a hit with this new-music constituency from the moment he made his first appearance back in 2017 — and indeed, he has been, maintaining the festival’s mission while adding some dynamic personal flair of his own.” -Richard S. Ginell, San Francisco Classical Voice
“Year after year the Cabrillo audience constitutes a devotional faithful comparable perhaps only to a college sports team, where one dies before giving up the prized subscription seats.” -Paul Hertelendy, ArtsSF
“The thing I love about Cabrillo is their openness to trying new things!” -Anna Clyne, San Francisco Classical Voice
“The intensity pouring across the footlights is palpable, even though not a note of any night’s concert is remotely familiar.” -Paul Hertelendy, ArtsSF
“One of the oldest and biggest new-music festivals” -Janos Gereben, San Francisco Classical Voice
“The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music seems too big to fail.” -Rebecca Wishnia, San Francisco Classical Voice