2025 Season Concerts

Rendezvous with the Romantics

Welcome to Santa Cruz Baroque Festival's 52nd season. We are delighted to announce that our distinguished Artist in Residence from last season, Maestro Jörg Reddin, has accepted the position of new Artistic Director for the 2025 season. Maestro Reddin thrilled our audiences last year with his mastery of the pipe organ, his rich bass-baritone voice, and his skillful conducting. For 2025, in addition to presenting four contrasting concert programs we will cohost a fundraising event at the German Cultural Center of Santa Cruz and two concerts with limited admission at private homes. In addition, Maestro Reddin will once again offer a Master Class for vocalists and oversee our annual Youth Competition, this year also for singers.

It's going to be an amazing year for Baroque music and some other surprise selections! We encourage you to purchase a season pass to save on individual ticket prices and ensure that you don't miss any of these special events. Last year several of Jörg's concerts sold out. Individual as well as season tickets may be purchased in advance on our website https://scbaroque.org/ and also at the door, space permitting.

Please consider donating to Santa Cruz Baroque Festival. We need your help to sustain the quality of musicians and venues we have been able to offer for over 50 years.

Concert I

  • Solo Pipe Organ by Candlelight
  • Sunday, January 26 – 7:30pm
  • Holy Cross Church
  • Artistic Director Jörg Reddin, Pipe Organ

Our season begins with Maestro Jörg Reddin performing works for solo organ on Holy Cross Church's 1889 A. B. Fegemaker Pipe Organ. Featured composers will include D. Buxtehude, G. Böhm, J.S. Bach, E. F. Richter, A. G. Ritter and N. W. Gade, all of whom studied in Leipzig, the town of J. S. Bach, within a 100-year span. Prepare to be amazed at Maestro Reddin's keyboard virtuosity and profound interpretations of this music!

There will be a reception prior to the first concert with delicious food, drinks and snacks. You will also have a chance to meet and greet with our new Artistic Director, Maestro Jörg Reddin. The reception is from 5:30-7:00pm.

Concert II

  • Bach Cantatas Coffee & Beer
  • Sunday, February 2 – 1:00 – 5:00pm
  • Holy Cross Church Hall

In 1734 J.S. Bach performed the famous Coffee Cantata and Cantata Burlesque in coffee houses and breweries. Santa Cruz Baroque Festival will recreate this tradition for you in an afternoon of audible delight. Please join this extraordinary cast of performers while enjoying coffee, beer, cakes, and other delectables in a café setting.

  • Jörg Reddin, Bass Baritone
  • Harpsichord – Jonathan Salzado
  • Violin – Kati Kyme, Lisa Weiss
  • Viola – Anthony Martin
  • Cello – William Skeen
  • Flute – Lars Johannesson
  • Soprano – Jennifer Paulino
  • Tenor - Michael Jankosky

Concert III

  • Baroque Meets Romantique Chamber Music
  • Saturday, February 15 – 4:00pm
  • Peace United Church

Maestro Reddin, playing the organ, will be joined by violinist Samantha Bounkeua and cellist Judy Roberts in an unusual evening of chamber music spanning the baroque and romantic periods. Featured composers will include J.S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, A. Corelli, C. Saint-Saens, E. Grieg, and J.G. Rheinberger.

Concert IV

  • Baroque Meets Romantique Choral Concert
  • Saturday, March 1 – 4:00pm
  • Peace United Church

In addition to his artistry with keyboard instruments, Maestro Reddin is in frequent demand as a bass-baritone. In Concert IV he will perform as both organist and vocalist, accompanied by the UCSC Chamber Singers led by Michael McGushin. Selections will include the works of F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy, J. Brahms, and E. Grieg. The program will also feature one of the Bay Area's premier early music choirs WAVE (Women's Antique Vocal Ensemble) directed by Susan Swerdlow. Compositions will include music from the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat (14th century Anonymous), F. Guerrero, and J.H. Schein.

  • Jörg Reddin, Bass-Baritone and organ
  • UCSC Chamber Singers led by Michael McGushin
  • WAVE (Women's Antique Vocal Ensemble)