Bear Valley Music Festival

==Bear Valley Music Festival==\n\nThe '''Bear Valley Music Festival''' is an annual summer music event that takes place in Bear Valley, California. Situated in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of over 7,200 feet, the festival is approximately 180 miles east of San Francisco. The event spans from the second-to-last Friday in July and concludes three Sundays later, attracting an audience of around four thousand attendees each year. The festival is renowned for its eclectic mix of musical genres, which includes classical, rock, country, blues, folk, and jazz, aiming to cater to a broad demographic.\n\n===History===\nThe origins of the Bear Valley Music Festival can be traced back to 1967 when orchestra conductor John Gosling and his wife Margaret stumbled upon the small town of Bear Valley while driving through the Stanislaus National Forest. At that time, the town was a modest community with a few homes, a hostel, and the Bear Valley Lodge, located on the southern slope of the Mount Reba ski resort.\n\nInspired by the serene beauty of the location, John Gosling envisioned a music festival that would soon become a reality. The first concert of the Bear Valley Music Festival took place in 1968 with a 38-person orchestra performing at the Bear Valley Lodge's Cathedral Lounge. The festival's early days saw musicians being hosted in residents' homes, communal meals in the lodge dining room, and performances that filled the lounge to its balconies.\n\nJohn Gosling, who also served with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, along with a dedicated team of founders, musicians, and volunteers, continued to cultivate the festival, utilizing various venues including the lodge, outdoor spaces, and eventually a large circus tent. The repertoire of the festival expanded to feature Broadway show-tunes, opera, chamber music, educational programs, and guest artists from around the globe.\n\nIn 1985, Carter Nice, then Conductor of the Sacramento Symphony, succeeded John Gosling as the Music Director and Conductor. Under his leadership, the Bear Valley Music Festival Orchestra grew in size and diversity, drawing players from across the United States. The festival became a summer retreat for many musicians and their families who came to enjoy the High Sierras and the exceptional music.\n\nThe festival's offerings broadened to include opera and Broadway tunes, as well as contemporary and country music performances during the opening weekend. Notable past guest artists include Dave Mason, José Feliciano, Roseanne Cash, Glen Campbell, the Mamas and the Papas, Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy, and John Corbett.\n\nIn the summer of 2012, Michael Morgan, Music Director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony and Sacramento Philharmonic, took the helm as Music Director. Morgan was celebrated for his innovative programming and progressive artistic vision. His passing in August 2021 was a significant loss to the festival.\n\nFollowing an extensive search, in March 2022, Alexander Mickelthwate was announced as the new Music Director. Known for his role as Music Director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Mickelthwate has earned acclaim for crafting programs that attract new audiences.\n\nThe Bear Valley Music Festival is held in a large tent that serves as a concert hall, complete with a stage that accommodates a full symphony orchestra. In addition to the main performance tent, smaller tents offer local wines, beer, beverages, and snacks, as well as festival merchandise, with proceeds supporting the festival. The annual Arts of Bear Valley exhibit also contributes to the festival's fundraising efforts.\n\n===Location and Surroundings===\nBear Valley is nestled within the Stanislaus National Forest, an area known as the California Alps, situated between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. The region is steeped in history, originally named Grizzly Bear Valley by explorer Jedediah Smith in 1827. The area is a hub for recreational activities and is close to attractions such as the Calaveras Big Trees State Park and a variety of golf courses. The Bear Valley community is home to the Bear Valley Music Festival, the oldest cultural event in Alpine County.\n\n===Camping and Recreation===\nAlpine County offers a plethora of camping options, ranging from primitive sites along streams to well-developed lakeside campgrounds with swimming, fishing, and boating. Managed by various agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Alpine County, California State Parks, and private owners, these campgrounds provide a range of outdoor experiences at elevations from 5,000 to 8,000 feet.\n\n===Organization===\nThe Bear Valley Music Festival is operated by Music From Bear Valley, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The festival is overseen by a Board of Directors and managed by a dedicated Festival Staff. Volunteers play a crucial role in the festival's success, with opportunities for community members to support the event in various capacities.\n\n==External Links==\n* [http://infobearvalleymusicfestival.org Official website]\n* [https://www.facebook.com/BearValleyMusicFestival Facebook page]\n* [https://www.instagram.com/bearvalleymusicfestival/ Instagram profile]\n* [https://twitter.com/BearValleyMusic Twitter account]\n* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/BearValleyMusicFestival YouTube channel]\n\n==References==\n<references/>\n\n[[Category:Music festivals in California]]\n[[Category:Annual events in California]]\n[[Category:Classical music festivals in the United States]]