“Elevating colorful and courageous voices has been intrinsic to the spirit of the Festival since day one. Lou Harrison’s foundational impact and joyful activism, Marin Alsop’s groundbreaking career and bold artistic vision, and many other queer voices have been integral to shaping who we are – I am so proud to further their legacy, as we remain firmly grounded in our values of inclusion. The 50th anniversary of Pride in Santa Cruz is a timely moment to celebrate our incredible community and the indelible impact of queer artists in orchestral music.”
—Cristi Măcelaru, Music Director/ Conductor
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COLORFUL & COURAGEOUS
July 27 – August 10, 2025, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music presents the full spectrum of orchestral possibility, illuminating vibrant hues of music today. This transformative season features over 20 composers, 12 in residence, seven guest artists, and the Festival Orchestra, four Festival commissions and bringing three world premieres to life. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of LGBTQIA Pride in Santa Cruz and the legacy of queer voices that have shaped the Festival, we present a co-commission by Jake Heggie. The season also showcases a new Creative Lab commission by Darian Donovan Thomas honoring the queer experience, and pays tribute to luminaries who have influenced the Festival, including Lou Harrison, John Corigliano, and Jennifer Higdon. True to our mission, the Festival continues to amplify established and emerging voices, embracing a kaleidoscope of new music.
Widening programmatic breadth even further, the Festival announces special guest conductor Daniela Candillari, bringing her “confidence and apparently inexhaustible verve” (The New York Times) as well as new composers never heard by Festival audiences to the first two concerts of the season. Cabrillo Festival Music Director, Cristian Măcelaru will return for the final two concerts. By choosing Candillari, the Festival widens perceptions on the colors of music today even further – Candillari collaborated with Music Director Măcelaru in selecting composers for the 2025 Season. An alumni of the Cabrillo Festival’s Conductors/Composers Workshop, Candillari has gone on to conduct with preeminent orchestras around the globe, and has a proven and deep history of championing new music and new voices in the field – a force for creative innovation and contemporary ideas.
This year’s composers in residence are Jake Heggie, John Corigliano, Stacy Garrop with a new orchestral song cycle, Missy Mazzoli, Jennifer Higdon, Tyson Gholston Davis, Rene Orth, Aleksandra Vrebalov, as well as Creative Lab composer and guest artist Darian Donovan Thomas. Works by Lou Harrison, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Adolphus Hailstork, Julia Wolfe, Karen LeFrak, Nina Shekar, and Frank Duarte are also on the program. This year’s guest artists include Jennifer Koh and Justin Bruns on violin, Tim McAllister on saxophone, soprano Michelle Areyzaga, mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz, as well as baritone Sidney Outlaw.
As well as the concerts, the Festival will continue its tradition of hosting Open Rehearsals, Meet the Composers, pre-rehearsal talks, special workshops, additional performances, community partnerships and multiple free concerts spotlighting the work of emerging composers and artists.
MORE ANNOUNCED SOON!