2026 Program Guide | Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music

Hope as Our Banner 7pm SUN AUG 9 Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Tonight’s Grand Finale performance is dedicated with gratitude to the incredible HOST FAMILIES who open their hearts and homes to our Festival musicians. Cabrillo Festival Orchestra conducted by CRISTIAN MĂCELARU Ascending Creatures (2025) EUNIKE TANZIL (B. 1998) West Coast Premiere Violin Concerto No. 2 Pulse (2025) LISA BIELAWA (B. 1968) West Coast Premiere Tessa Lark, violin I. Tin Pan Alley II. The Shapes III. Old Time INTERMISSION RainbowPromise (2025) ELENA KATS-CHERNIN (B. 1957) U.S. Premiere Wanderlust (2009) SEAN SHEPHERD (B. 1979) West Coast Premiere I. Prevailing Winds II. Seagulls on High III. Bilbao SEASON REFLECTION Journeying Song (2025) RITA DOVE (B. 1952) West Coast Premiere Rita Dove, poet (see text, page 56) alongside Adagio for Strings (1936) SAMUEL BARBER (1910-1981) CONCERT NOTE Co-sponsored by the Diversity Center and Santa Cruz Pride, closing night is Rainbow Night! RSVP at the QR link to join the LGBTQ+ meetup at Alley Oop before the concert. THE AFTERPARTY Join us directly outside the Civic Auditorium for a street party with cake and bubbles, and a curated playlist accompanied by colorful projections by Liquid Lit! REFLECTION NOTE Rita Dove’s performance is co- sponsored by Jim Petersen and the Coonerty-Protti family in celebration of Bookshop Santa Cruz's 60th anniversary. 53 CABRILLO MUSIC.ORG This concert will be broadcast on Sunday, September 20 at 6pm on KALW 91.7 San Francisco, and webcast on KALW.org Media Sponsor