Masterclasses

The Virginia Best Adams (VBA) Program and the Baroque & Classical Academy (BCA) offer exceptional opportunities for musicians to deepen their understanding of Baroque and Classical music while engaging with renowned mentors. Both programs feature free masterclasses, open to the public, where participants explore vocal and instrumental techniques, performance skills, and artistic expression in a relaxed, discovery-driven environment. The VBA program focuses on vividly communicating Baroque repertoire, while the BCA provides comprehensive training from internationally acclaimed musicians, covering not just performance, but also program curation, audience development, and the business of music. Both programs culminate in a ticketed Showcase Concert, where the participants perform a program they've curated with guidance from Festival mentors, offering a final opportunity to share their artistry with the community.

Baroque & Classical Academy

Don't miss the culmination of the quartet's hard work at the BCA Showcase performance on Friday, July 25 at 1:00 PM.

 

Free Concerts

This season, we’re presenting a variety of free community concerts, each offering a unique and accessible way to experience live classical music. In the Stacks brings intimate performances by wind and string ensembles to libraries across Monterey, offering an inspiring escape among the books. The Community Concert at Cypress Community Church in Salinas is a cherished, family-friendly tradition, featuring CBF chamber ensembles in a relaxed, one-hour performance followed by a casual reception. Lastly, the Family Concert: The Epic Adventures of Leonard & Rasmus invites audiences of all ages on an interactive journey through Monterey Bay, exploring music inspired by the ocean with a mix of classical and contemporary composers, perfect for a multigenerational experience.

Salinas Community Concert

The Community Concert presents CBF chamber ensembles in a FREE concert with a casual, relaxed setting. This beloved one-hour concert at Cypress Community Church in Salinas is a nearly 40-year-old tradition on the Monterey Peninsula and is suitable for the entire family. Short reception follows to meet and greet!

Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 PM

In The Stacks

In the Stacks is a free community concert series bringing the beauty of live classical music into libraries throughout Monterey. Featuring intimate performances by wind and string ensembles, these concerts offer a unique opportunity to experience world-class music up close in a relaxed setting. Seating is provided—come and enjoy an inspiring musical escape among the books!

 

In the Stacks: Pacific Grove Library | Thursday, July 3 at 3:00 PM

In the Stacks: Marina Library | Saturday, July 5 at 2:30 PM

 

Family Concert: The Epic Adventures of Leonard & Rasmus

Join Leonard & Rasmus in this interactive family concert as they explore whales and sea life in the ocean off Monterey Bay. While navigating the ocean and inside Monterey Bay, their musical pathway will include composers J.S, Bach, Percy Grainger, Juan Pablo Contreras, Jelly Roll Morton, Amy Beach, Ale Carr (Danish String Quartet), Zhou Tian, performed by chamber ensembles and the combined small orchestra for a rousing finale! Suitable for ages 3+, a perfect multigenerational experience.

Saturday, July 19 at 11:00 AM

Tower Music

Enjoy pre-concert music performed by the Festival’s Tower Brass before most Main Concerts. Tower Music is one of the oldest traditions at the Carmel Bach Festival. It began in 1936 with the Heralding Trombones, led by two generations of the Stewart Family, who performed well into the 1960’s until the Festival Orchestra brass section was asked to carry on the tradition as it does today. In the early days, they played from the balcony window of the old Sunset Auditorium which opened onto the parking lot and from the Carmel Mission bell tower, thus earning the nickname “Tower Music.”