Experience the power of live performance this weekend with philharmonia Fantastique!

Live musical performance transforms our emotions. Feel that power THIS WEEKEND with Philharmonia Fantastique! Beyond the brilliance and beauty of the music, these concerts offer a chance to connect with the technical excellence and artistic vision of three dynamic composers.

Click here to learn more about the program repertoire.

A towering figure in 19th-century music, Johannes Brahms had a profound and lasting effect on the classical tradition. His body of work, which includes symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and choral pieces, is celebrated for its emotional depth and thematic development. Brahms' ability to merge classical forms with new elements established him as a link between the classical and Romantic eras, reflecting a deep understanding of both tradition and innovation. Brahms' approach to composition was more self-aware and constructive than intuitive, and he knew that nothing is created without effort. As he said around the time of the completion of his first symphony: “That which you would call invention, that is to say a thought, an idea, is simply an inspiration from above…it is a present, a gift, which I ought even to despise until I have made it my own by right of hard work.”

Our featured composer Mason Bates has significantly impacted the world of classical and electronic music through his unique fusion of acoustic and electronic elements. His work often incorporates electronic effects and live sampling, reflecting the rhythms and textures of modern life. Known for his genre-defying approach, Bates blends traditional orchestration with current technology, creating vibrant, immersive soundscapes that challenge conventional boundaries. Bates created the music for The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, the most popular new opera in Santa Fe Opera's history and one of the top-selling operas in the company's history; it won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording. He has been praised for his ability to infuse classical music with a fresh, dynamic energy, and his compositions continue to receive acclaim for their originality and relevance, reshaping how audiences experience orchestral music. "We don’t always think about the orchestra as a marvel of technology," he has said. "But it is very much one of the best examples of interactive technology we have.”

Martin Gaskell is a local Santa Cruz composer and astronomer who brings a special blend of scientific inquiry and musical artistry to his craft. His dual expertise allows him to create works that resonate with both the grandeur of the cosmos and the intricacies of human emotion. He finds that places and sights inspire his music, and that the music in turn brings up images of those scenes. While he does notice similarities between conducting scientific research and composing music, Gaskell tends to stay away from making his music too cerebral. He wants his music to be both pleasant to listen to and a reflection of the beauty God has created in the universe, both in the heavens above and here on Earth.

Classical Series Concert 1: Philharmonia Fantastique

Johannes Brahms: Symphony no. 1

Mason Bates: Philharmonia Fantastique

Martin Gaskell: Ceremonial Music

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 at 7:30 PM at Civic Auditorium

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Henry J. Mello Center

Join us on September 21/22 as we launch our season with Philharmonia Fantastique!

Let's celebrate the Autumnal Equinox on September 21/22! It's a time of seasonal changes, and Santa Cruz Symphony will help you move into Fall's vibrance with Philharmonia Fantastique. This annual moment of transition provides the ideal setting for the launch of our dynamic 67th concert season. Join Santa Cruz Symphony and Music Director Daniel Stewart as we experience masterfully articulated, uniquely creative works by Johannes Brahms, Mason Bates, and Martin Gaskell.

If you're a subscriber, your tickets were mailed on September 5. If you're not a subscriber, there's still time! Learn more about season subscriptions here.

Johannes Brahms took the composition of his first symphony very seriously, so much that it took him several decades to complete it. When the work premiered in 1876, it was to great acclaim. One notable critic of the time declared that “even the layman will immediately recognize it as one of the most distinctive and magnificent works of the symphonic literature.” 

While influenced by Beethoven, Brahms’ Symphony no. 1 in C minor is still uniquely his own, balancing stormy passion with sweet lyricism.

Grammy award-winning composer Mason Bates takes us on a journey through the instruments of the orchestra as we follow a magical Sprite in Philharmonia Fantastique. By the end of the concerto, instrument families of the orchestra demonstrate “unity from diversity” in a spectacular finale. This exciting, action-packed score (the concerto is often presented as part of an animated film) offers a colorful exploration of the inner workings of an orchestra.

The Washington Post described it as a "sumptuous sonic palette" with "relentlessly clever turns of phrase," and the soundtrack for the film version won a Grammy award in 2023.

Martin Gaskell's Ceremonial Music was a 2023 Finalist in Composition for the American Prize, and has been performed over 100 times on three continents. Originally written for trumpets, trombones, and organ, Gaskell arranged his work for full orchestra at the request of Maestro Daniel Stewart.

“I imagine a long, slow procession for a ceremony in a cathedral,” says Gaskell, “perhaps for a royal wedding or a coronation. One hears heraldic trumpet fanfares and church bells pealing."

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Classical Series Concert 1:
Philharmonia Fantastique

Johannes Brahms: Symphony no. 1
Mason Bates: Philharmonia Fantastique
Martin Gaskell: Ceremonial Music

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 at 7:30 PM at Civic Auditorium
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Henry J. Mello Center

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Our 67th season will be dynamic and enthralling!

Last concert season was a resounding success. We increased our attendance, and our final concert was completely sold out.

That's a compelling reason to buy your 2024-25 tickets early!

We’ll kick off our season on September 21/22 with Mason Bates’ electrifying Philharmonia Fantastique and Johannes Brahms' majestic Symphony no. 1, along with a new arrangement of a beloved work by local composer Martin Gaskell.

On November 2/3, we’ll pair Antonín Dvořák’s thrilling Symphony no. 8 with the brilliance of Santa Cruz Symphony Artist in Residence and Concertmaster Nancy Zhou performing Erich Korngold’s radiant Violin Concerto, in a concert that also includes the world premiere of Spin by Josef Sekon.

Our inaugural Holiday Pops Concert on December 14/15 will showcase favorites from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Leroy Anderson's A Christmas Festival, and many more. The annual Family Concert on March 2 will present Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf plus a diverse selection of music performed with community partner groups.

A highly anticipated collaboration with Santa Cruz Shakespeare on March 29/30 will feature the company’s new director Charles Pasternak alongside the immortal melodies of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Felix Mendelssohn’s musical depictions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in addition to Anna Clyne’s breathtaking portrayal of the sound and fury contained in the world of Macbeth.

Our classical season finale on May 3/4 will dazzle with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem, Björk’s Overture to Dancer in the Dark, and an exciting world premiere by our Music Director Daniel Stewart in a concert featuring Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus and vocal soloists from the Metropolitan Opera (yes, THAT Metropolitan Opera!).

A special presentation of more magical music themes from John Williams will conclude our season on June 7/8 at our Spring Pops Concert.

And all season long you'll enjoy opportunities to see exceptional performances at smaller venues as part of our Musician Series.

Individual concert tickets are available to buy in late August. For more concert info and links to buy tickets, check out our concerts and events page.  

We can't wait to share this innovative season with you!

Enjoy the benefits of being a Symphony subscriber!

You'll save money on ticket prices, keep the same reserved seat for every concert, and have the option to exchange tickets between Civic and Mello performances, along with other perks.

Learn more and subscribe on our website.

Press Release: Santa Cruz Symphony receives $1 million bequest in memory of Roy Chambers-Bray

This is the largest single donation in the Symphony’s 67-year history.

Mark and Roy Chambers-Bray

Santa Cruz Symphony has just been given an unrestricted donation of $1 million from Mark Chambers-Bray in memory of Roy Chambers-Bray. It is the largest single donation in the organization’s 67-year history.

“Roy and Mark have been longtime supporters of the Symphony,” said Gary Reece, Executive Director. “They have been valued board members of our organization and of our auxiliary, the Symphony League. And they have been zealous about hosting fundraisers, housing our musicians, providing leadership to both organizations, and lending a helping hand wherever needed. Even so, we were quite surprised by the significance of this gift. Our gratitude cannot be expressed enough. But we can ensure that the funds will be used wisely and effectively.”

The donation comes at a time when arts organizations across the U.S. are falling short of their funding goals. Many longtime corporate and foundation donors have shifted their focus to social issues, and the arts are often struggling now to find patrons. The Symphony is one of those entities that have seen their funding sources turning elsewhere.

“Of course, that presents challenges to organizations such as the Santa Cruz Symphony,” said Dr. Deborah Bronstein, Board President. “So, we are incredibly grateful to Mark and Roy for planning this bequest. The funds will be invested with guidance from our financial advisers so we can continue to use the proceeds for as long as possible.”

The Chambers-Bray donation will help support the operating expenses of the symphony, such as increasing musician compensation, staff salaries, production costs, publishing, marketing, and other activities essential to maintaining a professional orchestra. Few people realize that ticket sales only account for less than 30% of the cost of keeping live classical music a reality.

Mr. Reece noted that music education is a priority for the Santa Cruz Symphony and this gift will also support those programs. For several years, the Symphony has sent professional musicians into elementary schools in Santa Cruz and northern Monterey Counties. In conjunction with Carnegie Hall’s LinkUp Program, the Symphony also provides free teaching materials and curricula for teachers; ukuleles and recorders for student music lessons; and short recordings of classical music to help students transition from recess to the classroom. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is also a partner.

The Symphony concludes the LinkUp Program with popular concerts for fourth- and fifth-grade students at the Mello Center in Watsonville and the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz. These come at no charge to the students or the schools. In total, the Symphony invests close to $200,000 each year into the LinkUp Program. While it is partially supported by its major program sponsor the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and other generous sponsors, these funds do not cover the entire cost of the program.

“Despite the challenges that all arts organizations face,” said Mr. Reece, “our last concert season was outstanding. In fact, our Pops Concert in June was sold out, our Bach concert with Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus increased 44 percent over last year, and overall attendance for the season increased by 25 percent. This upcoming season will include a tribute to Shakespeare, along with something new – holiday concerts in December.”

Mark and Roy Chambers-Bray had included this gift as part of their estate planning. Roy passed away in May, setting the bequest in motion.

Subscription renewal deadline extended to July 15th!

Two more weeks to renew! 

Summer is a busy time for travel and making plans with family and friends. We want to give all of our subscribers the opportunity to keep their same seats for the upcoming season, so we're extending our renewal phase for another two weeks. A huge thank you to everyone who has already renewed their subscription – your promptness and continued support help us prepare for the upcoming season.

MONDAY, July 15 is the new deadline for renewing your season subscription with a guarantee of keeping the same seats you had in the 2023-24 season. After July 15, your seats could be taken by subscribers who wish to change seats or by new subscribers.

If you're a Symphony subscriber who has already sent in a renewal form or renewed on our website for the 2024-25 season, thank you! You're all set, and your tickets will be sent in early September.

If you have not yet renewed for the 2024-25 season, ACT NOW to keep your same seats! You can still renew your subscription after July 15, but your seats may be claimed by other patrons.