Civic Auditorium Handrail Installation Project – Update

Santa Cruz Symphony cares about the comfort and safety of everyone attending our concerts. We’ve heard your questions about the handrails at the Civic Auditorium and want to provide an updated status.

The City of Santa Cruz has confirmed that the contractor, Selway Construction, is scheduled to install the new handrails in January 2026. Current preparations include material submittals, preconstruction meetings, scheduling, and procurement of materials. While a specific start date has not yet been set, installation is expected to take place during the month of January.

We expect that this means our patrons will be able to enjoy the use of the handrails in time for our Family Concert on March 1, 2026.

You can find additional information on the City’s project page here: Civic Auditorium Handrail Project

We look forward to welcoming you back to the Civic to enjoy both the improved accessibility and the joy of live music. Don’t miss the Family Concert on March 1 to see the handrails in action!

The Planets on November 1/2: An extraordinary cosmic journey awaits you!

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Join us on Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 for Gustav Holst's best-known composition The Planets, with its evocative depictions of planetary gods such as War, Peace, and Magic. We'll also hear Paul Hindemith's legendary viola concerto Der Schwanendreher, featuring rising star Emad Zolfaghari, and a world premiere of Voices by Santa Cruz native Benjamin Goodwin. You'll want to be there for this unforgettable orchestral experience!

Prepare to be captivated by our gifted young featured artists, violist Emad Zolfaghari and composer Benjamin Goodwin. Emad's virtuosity will bring to life Der Schwanendreher, a distinctly unique piece for viola and orchestra which weaves traditional techniques and melodies into a 20th-century context. Benjamin Goodwin's Voices explores themes of change and acceptance, drawing on personal memories and beloved tunes to convey stories that resonate with listeners of any age. And the Symphony will take you on a celestial journey through our solar system with The Planets—a masterwork which uses a larger-than-usual orchestra to portray the color and drama of the planets as viewed through the lens of Holst's vivid imagination.

This blockbuster program will enchant your senses and inspire your spirit. It's perfect for long-time Symphony fans and first-time concertgoers alike. Bring a friend, and experience the magic together!

You can purchase concert tickets online anytime using the button below. Want to order your tickets from a real person? Call Civic Box Office at 831-420-5260 (hours are Tuesday–Friday, 12pm–4pm.)

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Our season opens with Scheherazade on October 4 — and it starts with a party!

Join us on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 for Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, the beloved collection of Middle Eastern folktales. We'll also hear Elgar’s intensely moving Cello Concerto and Mascagni’s breathtaking Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana. And it all begins with a free, no-ticket-required Middle Eastern-themed street party outside the Civic before the Saturday concert!

Expect dazzling performances by our featured artists, Artist in Residence and Concertmaster Nancy Zhou and Principal Cellist Jonah Kim. Nancy will represent the voice of Scheherazade with her violin in a work the composer described as a narrative of "fairy tale wonders." Jonah's expressive playing will bring to life the haunting themes of Elgar's contemplative, elegaic Cello Concerto. And the Symphony will thrill you with Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, one of the most captivating and recognizable works of all time. This memorable cultural adventure will launch a concert season that promises to expand our horizons while rediscovering timeless classics. We can't wait to explore with you!

You can purchase concert tickets online anytime using the button below. Want to order your tickets from a real person? Call Civic Box Office at 831-420-5260 (hours are Tuesday–Friday, 12pm–4pm.)

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JOIN US FOR A FREE SEASON OPENER STREET PARTY!

Everyone is welcome to the 5 PM street party before the concert on Saturday, October 4 — no tickets required. We’ll enjoy tasty bites from local food truck favorites and live Middle Eastern music.

This party is a wonderful opportunity to connect with music lovers of all ages in your community. Get ready to dance!

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THERE'S STILL TIME TO BUY SEASON TICKETS!

Until October 1, 2025, you can still purchase a season subscription. You'll save money on tickets, and you'll get first choice of the best available seats and keep the same reserved seat at every concert.

Celebrate "America's Composer" at our John Williams Encore Pops Concert!

Legendary composer John Williams has had a giant impact on the American orchestral landscape. He created the music for some of American cinema's most significant, groundbreaking films, including Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter. Nearly all of Steven Spielberg’s films feature music by Williams, who also composed music for the Summer Olympics, NBC News, and a multitude of TV shows. Billions of people around the world have enjoyed the music he has written.

At our Pops Concert on June 7, we'll be celebrating Williams' critically acclaimed body of work— while also honoring his role in supporting musicians, bringing powerful orchestral works to millions of moviegoers, and inspiring generations of viewers with a lifelong love of music.

All are welcome to the 5 PM street party before the concert—no concert tickets required. We’ll enjoy tasty bites from local food truck favorites and Brazilian-influenced music by Samba Cruz. Get ready to dance!

Want to make the party even more fun? Wear a costume from a movie featuring the music of John Williams, and you’ll be entered into our costume contest! We’ll award prizes for the best adult costume, best child costume, and best couples costume at the concert.

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WHEN:
Saturday, June 7

5:00 PM - STREET PARTY

Live music, food trucks, dancing, and a costume contest.

7:30 PM - POPS CONCERT

Featuring music from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, ET, Harry Potter, and many more!

WHERE:

Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz

TICKETS:

Call 831-420-5260 or buy tickets online

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Help us bring joy and hope to our community with our May Board Match Challenge!

Dear Symphony Friends,

As we near the end of our electrifying 2024-2025 Symphony season, we’re already deep into planning our next blockbuster program. Can we count on you to support us through next season and beyond?

Our dedicated Board of Directors challenges you to make a pledge now, and we will match all donations up to $50,000. It’s the easiest way to make your money go farther. We only ask that you act now, while we are planning our budget.

What will your (doubled) donation do? You will bring JOY and HOPE to our community in the form of extraordinarily moving symphonic music.

When you look at your fellow concertgoers’ faces at the end of the concert – or during – you can see that we have created a space where we can set aside our cares and worries for a bit of time and celebrate our Symphony’s commitment to our health. Yes, studies show that live music supports brain health, including improved memory, better mental outlook, and enhanced connections with fellow listeners. Let’s take advantage of this and keep our community vibrant!

Where we used to count on grants to significantly help us, we now must look to our patrons and sponsors to carry us through. This is not a problem for our Symphony alone. Many foundations are changing their priorities, leaving arts organizations with reduced funding. (And if you know of organizations or businesses that are interested in funding the arts, please let us know.)

You can donate online at santacruzsymphony.org/makeadonation, or click the button below. Under "Where to Target My Gift," select May 2025 Board Match to double your donation. Because the Symphony is a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax deductible. Check with your financial adviser for specific information.

Thanks very much for your generosity and for making our Symphony thrive!

Deborah Bronstein, MD

Santa Cruz Symphony Board President

PS -- A wonderful gift for a person you care about is to make a gift in their honor! Both of you will be acknowledged in our program book.