Dare to Dream with Us in 2026
Colorful and Courageous—our 2025 season’s theme speaks to the courage it takes to stand in values and the vibrancy of our community, all made possible
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A Friendly Update on 2026 Changes to Charitable Giving
We always want to keep our donor community in the loop, so we’re sharing some helpful guidance from our friends and Investment Advisors at Traveka
2025 Poetry- Inspired by the Season
Santa Cruz poet and longtime Festival friend Joan Zimmerman created a living collection of verse inspired by our season’s sounds. Her original poems and curated
HELP SAVE THE PERFORMING ARTS EQUITABLE PAYROLL FUND
On May 14, the Governor issued the “May revise” to the CA 25-26 budget. This revision included reverting $11.5 million allocated to the Performing Arts
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Announces 2025 Season: Colorful & Courageous
Contact: Steph C Sherwood, steph@cabrillomusic.org, 831.426.6966 x2 or Steven Swartz, steven@dotdotdotmusic.net, 646.206.3966 Season highlights include: Guest Conductor Daniela Candillari to conduct first 2 concerts of
Applications Open for the 2025 Emerging Black Composers Project
We’re excited to share that the 2025 Emerging Black Composers Project (EBCP) applications are open. EBCP represents an exciting expansion of the Festival’s commitment to
Second Cabrillo Emerging Black Composers Prize Awarded to Tyson Gholston Davis
Davis will receive a commission, serve as Composer-in-Residence, and have their piece premiered during the 2025 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Contact: Steph C Sherwood
New Additions to the 2024 Cabrillo Festival “Music as Movement” Season: West Coast Premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Trumpet Concerto and Composer Clarice Assad in Residence
This is an update to our 2024 Season Announcement, found HERE. Santa Cruz, CA – May 30, 2024 – The Cabrillo Music Festival announces exciting
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Announces 2024 Season: Music as Movement
Contact: Steph C Sherwood or Steven Swartz Season highlights include four world premieres, eight West Coast premieres, fourteen composers in residence, and the inaugural Creative
Meet Our New Executive Director
Dear Friends of Cabrillo Festival, I am pleased to announce that D. Riley Nicholson has assumed his role as our new Executive Director, beginning this
2023 Poet-In-Residence and Community Poem Prompts
Poet-in-Residence FARNAZ FATEMI An Iranian American poet and writer, Farnaz Fatemi is Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate for 2023 and 2024. She is a founding
First Cabrillo Emerging Black Composers Prize Awarded to Nathaniel Heyder
Heyder will receive a commissioning award, serve as composer-in-residence and have his piece premiered during the 2024 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music season. Contact: Mona Baroudi