2026 - Essentially Baroque

Welcome to the 53rd year of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival "Essentially Baroque" featuring exciting and insightful programs created by our Artistic Director Jörg Reddin. Exploring the essence of music in a bridge across time, Maestro Reddin brings us an incredible season of solo and chamber concerts, masterclasses, a vocal competition, and even a special family concert. Join us for Jörg's triumphant return to Santa Cruz from the Bach Church in Arnstadt Germany.

Season Schedule
Musical Stories of Brass and Organ Saturday January 31 4 pm
Themes and Variations Sunday February 8 4 pm
Organ Master Class Led by Jörg Reddin Sunday February 15 4 pm
Baroque Songs and Arias Saturday February 21 7 pm
Vocal Masterclass Led by Jörg Reddin Sunday February 22 3-5 pm
2nd Youth Vocal Music Competition Friday February 27 3-5 pm
Baroque Festival meets Family Sunday March 1 4 pm
Secular and Sacred Vocal Music Saturday March 7 6 pm
All Bach Solo Violin Saturday April 25 7:30 pm

 

 

Musical Stories of Brass and Organ

  • Saturday, January 31, 4:00 pm
  • Calvary Episcopal Church, 532 Center St, Santa Cruz

Combining music and short stories, Join us on a journey through the early Baroque Era with pieces from Gabrieli, Scheidt, Charpentier and Bonelli.

Performers:

  • Jörg Reddin, Organ
  • Santa Cruz Brass Quintet

 

Themes and Variations

  • Sunday, February 8, 4:00 pm
  • Holy Cross Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

The preeminent and virtuosic interpreter of German Baroque Jörg Reddin triumphantly returns to Santa Cruz in yet another masterful solo organ recital.

Reception for donors in the Holy Cross Hall 6 pm

 

Organ Master Class Led by Jörg Reddin

  • Sunday, February 15, 4:00 pm
  • Calvary Episcopal Church, 532 Center St, Santa Cruz

Organ Masterclass led by Jörg Reddin on a Schoenstein Opus 84, two-manual Pipe Organ.

Send your intent of participation to Vlada Volkova-Moran at vladamuse@sbcglobal.net, and the payment of $50 by February 15th

  • by check to: P.O. Box 482, Santa Cruz, CA 9506
  • by PayPal: TBD

The Masterclass is open to the public and free to observe.

 

Baroque Songs and Arias

  • Saturday, February 21, 7 pm
  • Calvary Episcopal Church, 532 Center St, Santa Cruz

An enchanting and intimate setting by candlelight featuring Baroque Songs and Arias of love and delight.

 

Vocal Master Class Led by Jörg Reddin

  • Sunday, February 22, 3-5 pm
  • Trinity Presbyterian Church, 423 Melrose Ave, Santa Cruz

Send your intent of participation to Vlada Volkova-Moran at vladamuse@sbcglobal.net , and the payment of $50 by February 15th

The Masterclass is open to the public and free to observe.

 

2nd Youth Vocal Music Competition

  • Friday, February 27, 3-5 pm
  • Trinity Presbyterian Church, 423 Melrose Ave., Santa Cruz

Open to vocalists aged 14-26 (as of competition date) who are residents of Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Monterey, Santa Clara, or San Benito counties. There are monetary prizes. 1st place winner will have a performance opportunity at a future Santa Cruz Baroque Festival Concert.

See additional details on the Youth Vocal Music Competition page.

 

Baroque Festival meets Family

  • Sunday, March 1, 4 pm
  • Peace United Church, 900 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Sure to delight music lovers off all ages, join us for a family theme afternoon of music "Peter and the Wolf"

Performers:

  • Jörg Reddin, Organ
  • Mikey McGushin, Narrator

 

Secular and Sacred Vocal Music

  • Saturday, March 7, 6 pm
  • Peace United Church, 900 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Enjoy a splendid evening of blended secular and sacred vocal music featuring outstanding soloists joined by the UCSC Chamber Choir, followed by a reception.

Performers:

  • Jörg Reddin, Bass
  • Jennifer Paulino, Soprano
  • Michael Jankosky, Tenor
  • Jonathan Salzedo, Basso Continuo
  • Alexa Pilon, Cello
  • Roy Whelden, Bass
  • UCSC chamber, choir

Reception 8 pm

 

All Bach Solo Violin

  • Saturday, April 25, 7:30 pm
  • Calvary Episcopal Church, 532 Center St, Santa Cruz

Star violinist Nancy Zhou, lauded for her probing musical voice and searing virtuosity, will present half of JS Bach's sonata and partita cycle for solo violin. She will perform the first partita sandwiched by the G-minor and A-minor sonatas. Among her many laurels, Nancy won first prize at Shanghai’s Isaac Stern International Violin Competition.

Performers:

  • Nancy Zhou, Violin

Nancy Zhou