MAW in Review, and More Entertainment Matters

It was a summer of truly spectacular performances across chamber concerts, recitals, orchestral evenings and more. That’s to be expected every summer at the Music Academy. There were also several special programs in the “American Mosaic” season, clearly meant to elevate our experiences of democracy and contemplation of the perhaps dwindling American Dream for many in such challenging times. 

But what I didn’t expect was to be moved to overflowing emotions and actual tears at the West Coast premiere of Christopher Cerrone’s “The Only Way is Through” in Anne’s Garden on the Miraflores campus. I can’t quite explain what got me so choked up experiencing the minimalist meditation, composed largely of the Sing! Children’s Chorus intoning almost exclusively the words in the title, with literally dozens of percussion instruments and a few harmonicas providing the texture. The young vocalists almost endlessly repeated the word “through” propelled by the vastly different sounds emitting from the four percussion fellows in each corner of the garden. 

Maybe it was sitting front and center, able to discern the intricacies of the slowly albeit ever-evolving elements. More likely some unresolved issues from my past (and present?) in the areas of both surrendering and persevering, which Cerrone cited as his inspiration for the piece via the challenges of his first year of fatherhood. But as the piece washed over me in the gorgeous setting, I had to bite my lip from bursting out in tears during the performances – especially when the young singers filed out for a few minutes to hug and/or sit with their parents. 

Now, more than ever, I know what they mean when they say music is much more than just a sensory experience. Thank you, Chris Cerrone, Sing! Vocalists, and MAW…

Mariposa Beckons

With the Summer Festival behind us, the Mariposa Concert Series again takes center stage at Hahn Hall. The four-concert series features at least one MAW alum in each performance, starting with an October 8 date with violist Richard O’Neill (‘98, ‘99) and pianist-composer August Baik (‘25). The pair will play a deeply personal program about heritage, memory and the music that lives beneath the surface, including Baik’s new work that draws on Korean folk songs as well as Britten’s “Lachrymae” and Rzewski’s folk song transformation “Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues.”

November 10 brings cellist and filmmaker Nicholas Canellakis (‘01) and pianist-composer Michael Stephen Brown in a program dubbed “Humor & Harmony.” The January 14 concert teams the Maple Quartet, the Music Academy’s 2026 Emerging Artists String Quartet, with sisters/alums Julie and Rebecca Albers with the program including a world premiere by Maple violist John Crowley, before the series concludes February 12 with an unusual evening titled “Not Too Sweet” featuring flutist Annie Wu (‘15, ‘16) and pianist Markus Kaitila and boasting both music and chocolate pairings. 

Meanwhile, there’s MAW’s big annual Music Note gala on August 14, held this year at Bella Vista Estate in Summerland and featuring an intimate performance by Broadway soprano legend Audra McDonald. She’ll be joined by a jazz trio and a special guest appearance by the Music Academy’s Sing! children’s choir for a program drawing on the Great American Songbook. Proceeds support the Academy’s full scholarship program for every fellow as well as expanding access to music education throughout our community. While tickets are sold out, a waiting list is available. 

Then it’s just four short months before the 80th Summer Music Festival & School launches June 14. 

Visit https://musicacademy.org

Focus on Film: SBIFF on Sale 

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s annual mid-summer sale takes a full 25 percent off the top for all passes and packages for the 2027 festival, which takes place February 3-13. Prices range from $169 for the Intro Package – which includes two tickets to both the opening and closing night films and two four-film MiniPaks during the festival run – up to $2,063 for a Platinum Pass, which offers priority admission to all screenings, panel discussions, and tribute events, as well as the daily happy hours plus some SBIFF shwag. The sale ends August 16.  

Visit www.sbiff.org