Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Celebrating more than 60 years of presenting new works by living composers, led by Music Director and Conductor Cristian Macelaru

“Cabrillo Festival is like a crucible of creativity…and all of America’s orchestras look to what happens at Cabrillo because the Festival has really set the standard for fostering creativity and demonstrating an unbelievably genuine and rich relationship with its community.” —Jesse Rosen, President of the League of American Orchestra, addressing capacity crowd on Opening Night, 2016

The Cabrillo

Festival of Contemporary Music, even at a seasoned 61 years old, is all about the new—the here and now of contemporary works for orchestra. To quote Financial Times music critic Allan Ulrich, “…in the surf mecca of Santa Cruz, 75 miles south of San Francisco, the Cabrillo Festival has made the contemporary repertoire sound urgent, indispensable and even sexy.”

In late July and early August each year, audiences are joined by both preeminent and emerging composers, an orchestra of dedicated professional musicians, and renowned guest artists from across the globe to give voice to works which are rarely more than a year or two old, and sometimes still wet on the page. The opportunity for composers to work with musicians skilled and enthusiastic about bringing these new works to life, in the beautiful coastal, college-town of Santa Cruz, California, makes this an artistic paradise. With a professional training workshop for early career conductors and composers, open rehearsals almost daily, educational programming for all ages, the Church Street Fair showcasing Santa Cruz County performers and artists, and much more, the Cabrillo Festival has dozens of opportunities for meaningful engagement. In 2017 the Festival embarked on a new era of artistic leadership with the appointment of Music Director and Conductor Cristian Macelaru. Past music directors include Marin Alsop (1992-2016, now Music Director Laureate), John Adams (1991), Dennis Russel Davies (1974-1990), Aaron Copland (1978), Carlos Chavez (1970-1973), Gerhard Samuel (1963-1968). More information on the Festival’s history can be found at cabrillomusic.org. Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music is a non-profit 501 (c)[3].

08/18/2026
From the maestro, Cristian Macelaru 🎼
08/15/2026

From the maestro, Cristian Macelaru 🎼

"The final night left me with a feeling of having witnessed great art, a feeling of having been a part of something hist...
08/13/2026

"The final night left me with a feeling of having witnessed great art, a feeling of having been a part of something historic. The music was astounding, the crowd was enrapt and the poetry was exultant." – Jake Thomas, Santa Cruz Sentinel

“The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music’s final night left me with a feeling of having witnessed great art, a feeling of having been a part of something historic,” writes theater critic Jake Thomas.

Artistic freedom means making space for curiosity, challenge, discovery—and the possibility that a piece of music might ...
08/12/2026

Artistic freedom means making space for curiosity, challenge, discovery—and the possibility that a piece of music might change the way we see the world. In response to an article published in this week’s Good Times Santa Cruz, Music Director and Conductor Cristian Măcelaru speaks to the role of the Festival: “As one of the remaining bastions celebrating unadulterated artistic freedom, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music promises to keep all engaged, challenge the norm and break all expectations.” These promises are at the heart of our mission to create and perform profound, relevant, and innovative music. Read “What Is the Virtue of Artistic Freedom?”→ https://www.goodtimes.sc/letters-cabrillo-festival-criticism-artistic-freedom/

What a dream come true this finale weekend of our CFCM “We the Dreamers” season was. The best orchestra, the most enthus...
08/12/2026

What a dream come true this finale weekend of our CFCM “We the Dreamers” season was. The best orchestra, the most enthusiastic audience, stunning composers and guest artists who fully committed themselves to the topics and conversations that occupy each of us these days.

Cabrillo Festival is only possible because of each and every person, on stage, back stage, and in the stands, who gives their all to making this festival the extraordinary experience that it is. From the bottom of our hearts— thank you.

And now, we would love to hear your perspective of “We the Dreamers”. Visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/rnS0Yo0/2026audience to share your thoughts on our 2026 season by participating in our annual survey. Your feedback helps us understand what makes Cabrillo Festival meaningful to you, and how we can make the audience experience even better!

Thank you for dreaming with us this season ✨🎻

Professional photography by Rose Calucchia

"...each piece was a celebration of the many people who make music possible. From an early-career composer’s exciting de...
08/11/2026

"...each piece was a celebration of the many people who make music possible. From an early-career composer’s exciting debut, to a piece chosen not by the conductor but by the orchestra, to a piece written to exalt that orchestra’s abilities, the evening carried a refreshing immediacy and optimism, leaving the audience with a sense of triumph..." – SF Classical Voice

Clarice Assad's Kontrol brilliantly parodies a tech demo gone haywire.

For the past two weeks, Cabrillo Festival audiences have experienced world premieres, U.S. premieres, West Coast premier...
08/08/2026

For the past two weeks, Cabrillo Festival audiences have experienced world premieres, U.S. premieres, West Coast premieres, conversations with composers, open rehearsals, and performances that explored the many ways we imagine a more just, resilient, and hopeful future. Now, it’s time for the final chapter of “We the Dreamers”.

Join us this weekend as Music Director Cristian Măcelaru takes the podium to lead the Festival Orchestra in two powerful closing concerts

Saturday night’s concert examines what it means to have control over our lives—and what happens when technology, history, or forces beyond our control challenge that idea. Our season concludes on Sunday with a luminous program looking toward collective possibility, resilience, and belonging.

This is your final opportunity to experience the 64th season of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music! Whether you join us for one concert or the entire weekend, we hope you’ll be part of this celebration of bold ideas, extraordinary artists, and music that looks toward the future. Tickets are available at cabrillomusic.org

Have you entered the hall and been amazed by the sound of music coming from seemingly 🎶everywhere👀? That’s because it is...
08/07/2026

Have you entered the hall and been amazed by the sound of music coming from seemingly 🎶everywhere👀? That’s because it is!

Our Cabrillo Festival Youth Ensemble has spent the Festival creating, rehearsing, and bringing to life their own orchestral music ideas— and tomorrow it’s all on the mainstage at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium!

Join us Saturday, Aug 8 at 3:30pm to cheer on the next generation of musical innovators. And did we mention— this concert is FREE to attend??

Invite your posse to experience some seriously exciting new music in Downtown Santa Cruz.

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147 S River Street Ste 232
Santa Cruz, CA
95060

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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