Mission statement

The Montecito Summer Music Festival’s mission is to instruct, mentor and inspire the next generation of great musicians and pay homage to today’s prominent masters who have brought immense joy to our lives through their artistry and music.

Our program’s philosophy is a holistic one combining musical instruction with an emphasis on healthy living and intellectual stimulation.  In addition to an intensive schedule of individual lessons, chamber music coaching and performances, students are encouraged to take advantage of our morning yoga classes, mountain hikes, visits to the beach and other outdoor activities.  Students will not only have access to campus practice studios 24 hours a day, but they will also have access to all faculty members for private lessons and mentoring.  We encourage students and faculty to exchange ideas and advice with each other in a tight-knit and supportive community that fosters everyone’s musical and artistic growth and development.

The Montecito Music Festival is for highly gifted string and piano students ages 13 and up interested in spending an invigorating three weeks studying to improve technical abilities and hone their craft and musicianship skills.  Each student will receive two private lessons and two chamber music coachings per week.  Selected students will also play in master classes as well as perform concertos with a chamber orchestra and in chamber ensembles with our esteemed faculty.

In addition to mentoring a new generation of musicians, our mission includes honoring great masters who have brought joy to our lives through music.  We are proud to announce that we will honor Mr. Ivry Gitlis in our 2009 season.  He will conduct master classes and give private instruction while we pay homage to his great musical talent.

honoree

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Ivry Gitlis

Residency made possible by Marquis Violin