Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

Established in 1963, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music serves as a prominent platform for orchestral composers to debut new pieces and participate in panel discussions. Directed by Cristian Măcelaru, the festival brings together international talent in Santa Cruz for two weeks of concerts and collaborative residencies. The 2026 program is centered on the theme 'We the Dreamers,' which draws inspiration from the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to examine the complexities of modern American life.

The 2026 lineup includes the West Coast premiere of Philip Glass’s 'Symphony No. 15 Lincoln' and a festival-commissioned world premiere by Vivian Fung titled 'America the Beautiful?'. These works aim to recontextualize historical narratives and explore intersectional identities through contemporary soundscapes. The festival continues its tradition of facilitating deep engagement between composers, performers, and the public.

A major highlight scheduled for August 8 is the world premiere of 'Kontrol' by composer Clarice Assad. This multidisciplinary project blends music, theatrical elements, and digital projections to investigate themes of surveillance capitalism and human autonomy. Featuring violinist Philippe Quint, the performance utilizes a fictional app to simulate a 'Black Mirror'-style experiment where technology attempts to govern musical expression.