This edition of ON the Beat was originally emailed to subscribers on March 28, 2024. To receive Josef Woodard’s music newsletter in your inbox each Thursday, sign up at independent.com/newsletters.
In many cities, the onset of summer for classical music fans and organizational machines translates to a downtime, a ripe period for a long summer’s nap amid the hectic pace of the autumn-to-spring concert season. Not so here in Santa Barbara for the past 75-plus years. Classical stars from all corners descend on our town, along with a dense schedule of concerts and events worth catching, and a gathering of fellows/students from top echelon sources globally.
Yes, summertime is the time when Music Academy (formerly Music Academy of the West) sweeps into the 805 and presents a looming overthrow of our classical cultural attentions, to which we say “bring it on.”
Last week, we got a season preview glimpse at what’s to come this summer, courtesy of a special preview, led by the new team of President/CEO Shauna Quill and Chief Artistic Officer Nate Bachhuber, following the departure of long-time head Scott Reed last year. The preview also teased us with a microconcert by the respected young pianist/composer Timo Andres . The site was Hahn Hall, on the idyllic grounds of the Academy’s Montecito home of Miraflores. In summary, the prospects for a busy and tempting summer festival run high, once again.