From Gershwin to Star Trek, from Sondheim to Abba, this orchestral party is not to be missed! Maestro Mickelthwate brings a potpourri of pops, rounding out the festival finale with Broadway favorites sung by shimmering vocalist Carrie Hennessey.

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Bear Valley Pops

Bear Valley Music Festival

Revel in this tribute to California, the Golden State, and musically embrace its experimental spirit, rich diversity, technological leadership, and counterculture. From Frank Zappa’s “Dogbreath” with banjo highlights, to “Avartan” by Reena Esmail, an LA-based young South Asian/American composer, to Mason Bates’ revolutionary electronic sounds with symphony orchestra, to a rich string solo played by Emil Miland on John Williams’ cello elegy, this evening will leave you inspired and proud to be a Californian.

California Flower Power

This evening’s lush homage to Maestro Michelthwate’s ancestral roots features Weber’s “Der Freischütz Overture”, Clara Schumann’s moving piano concerto, performed by the remarkable Asiya Korepanova, and rounds out the night with Schubert’s famous “Unfinished Symphony”. A musical journey to remember!

German Roots

Take some influence from B.B. King, Albert King, Ray Charles, and a pinch of Albert Collins. Add in dazzling blues and jazz guitar chops, a rich soulful baritone vocal delivering original, often wry and beleaguered lyrics with sophisticated chord changes and instrumentation, and skills on various horns and keyboards, all delivered with an uptown cool that never lacks searing passion. It all adds up to the one and only Chris Cain, who has gone from being a newcomer phenomenon bursting onto the blues scene in 1987 with a classic debut release, to being a legend, inspiration and long-established member of the blues pantheon.

Blues Night with Chris Cain

This intimate classical experience opens with Bear Valley’s own international award-winning pianist Ken Iisaka playing one of Chopin’s most crowd-pleasing piano pieces, followed by chamber selections from BVMF orchestra’s brilliant woodwinds and brass players, rounding out the evening with the back-by-popular-demand Stars Aligned Siblings string quartet, whose four accomplished members are ages 9 to 15 years old. Be prepared to sit back, relax, and let the music take you away!

Chamber Concert

Don’t miss this unique family fusion concert of classical-meets-contemporary music for all ages. Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate will guide the audience through an eclectic journey of playful classical favorites, including music education and audience participation numbers bound to leave you humming. Includes surprise local contemporary youth singer-songwriters playing alongside the orchestra, special youth activities and take-home memories. Youth 17 and under are free!

Family Fusion

Michael Morgan was our beloved Music Director for eight wonderful seasons, and his sudden passing in 2021 was mourned deeply, not only by our community, but all the surrounding musical communities he touched. Join us in a musical celebration featuring many of Michael’s dear friends returning to Bear Valley to celebrate his life and legacy, including rising piano star Oliver Moore on Gershwin’s classic “Rhapsody in Blue”, and superb vocalists, Hope Briggs and Zachary Gordin on the Broadway classics near and dear to Michael’s heart.

Memories of Michael

Join us for an evening of classical favorites, opening with Tchaikovsky’s one-and-only Violin Concerto, performed by internationally-celebrated soloist, Tai Murray.
Rounding out the evening is Beethoven’s ever-popular Symphony No. 7, which new and seasoned classical fans alike may recognize from Hollywood films “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, “The King’s Speech”, and “X-Men: Apocalypse”.

Blockbuster Classical

This innovative evening connects the stunning outside scenery with the classical sounds inside the concert tent. Many composers were inspired by nature: Grieg, Vaughn Williams, Smetana and Josef Strauss created music with birds, mountains and rivers in mind. Tune your ear for Finnish composer Rautavaara’s actual bird sounds as soloists!

Opening Night – “Nature Nocturne”

With a flair for the wild and unexpected, the genre-defying trio, TAKE3, brings the refinement of a rigorous classical music background and infuses it with rock-star charisma. Known for their infectious and down to earth onstage personalities, this threesome leaves their indelible mark on captivated crowds around the country performing their arrangements of top pop hits, Americana, and classical favorites.

Take3

Distinguished by close harmonies, catchy melodies and potent lyricism, the T Sisters have created a refreshing brew of indie-folk/Americana music. Blood sisters Erika, Rachel and Chloe Tietjen flow seamlessly between styles and moods, from roots to pop and sassy to sincere, captivating listeners with their eclectic sound and soaring harmonies.

T Sisters

Jefferson Starship is one of the most successful arena rock groups of the 1970s and 80s, earning 3 platinum and 8 gold records, as well as numerous Top 40 singles. While Jefferson Starship continues to tour today, the band has experienced numerous lineup and personnel changes, and each of those members have contributed to the magic and alchemy that make Jefferson Starship iconic.

Jefferson Starship

Kicking off this year’s full festival line up is the red-hot Alabama tribute band,Tennessee River, commanding audiences with powerful 7-part harmonies, dynamite stage presence, and danceable classics. A perfect celebration of summer!

Bear Valley Music Festival

Aug 7, 2022

Bear Valley Pops

Aug 6, 2022

California Flower Power

Aug 5, 2022

German Roots

Aug 4, 2022

Blues Night with Chris Cain

Aug 3, 2022

Chamber Concert

Bear Valley Music Festival

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