Santa Cruz Baroque Festival Returns for 53rd Season: “Essentially Baroque”
The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival celebrates its 53rd season this year with an ambitious lineup of concerts, masterclasses, and competitions. Under the artistic direction of Jörg Reddin, who returns from the Bach Church in Arnstadt, Germany, the festival explores baroque music through programming from January through April.
Baroque music flourished from approximately 1600 to 1750, bridging the Renaissance and Classical periods. This era gave us some of history’s most celebrated composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi. The baroque sound is characterized by ornate melodic lines, dramatic contrasts between loud and soft passages, and the use of basso continuo – a continuous bass line that provides harmonic foundation. The period saw the development of modern orchestra and featured instruments like the harpsichord, pipe organ, violin, viol, and brass and woodwind instruments. Baroque music emphasized emotional expression and grandeur, whether in intimate chamber settings or elaborate orchestral works.
The 2026 season opened with “Musical Stories of Brass and Organ” on January 31 at Calvary Episcopal Church. This fundraising concert combined music from early masters like Gabrieli, Scheidt, Charpentier, and Bonelli with short stories, taking audiences on an informative journey through the era.
February brings the heart of the festival, beginning with Concert I: “Themes and Variations” on February 8 at Holy Cross Church. Reddin, recognized as a preeminent interpreter of German Baroque, will deliver a solo organ recital featuring variations by Sweelinck, Böhm, Couperin, and Bach. The program includes two remarkable additions – newly discovered and authenticated Bach masterpieces, BWV 1178 and 1179. This rare opportunity to hear previously unknown Bach compositions makes the concert particularly special. 210 High St, Santa Cruz.
Festival director Jörg Reddin at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival runs now through April at locations throughout Santa Cruz including at Holy Cross Church (pictured here), Calvary Episcopal Church, Peace United Church, and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
The festival’s educational mission takes center stage on February 15 with an Organ Master Class led by Reddin at Calvary Episcopal Church. Participants will work on the Schoenstein Opus 84, a magnificent two-manual pipe organ. While the masterclass requires advance registration and a $50 fee for participants, the public is welcome to observe free of charge. 532 Center St, Santa Cruz.
On February 21, the festival presents Concert II: “Baroque Songs and Arias” at Calvary Episcopal Church. This enchanting evening performance by candlelight features works by Händel, Bach, Mozart, and others. The program’s title is “Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust,” which translates to “delightful Rest, beloved pleasure of the Soul.” 532 Center St, Santa Cruz.
The following day, February 22, brings another educational opportunity with a Vocal Master Class led by Reddin at Trinity Presbyterian Church. This session is open to the public to observe while offering hands-on instruction for registered participants. 420 Melrose Ave, Santa Cruz.
February concludes with the 2nd Youth Vocal Music Competition on February 27 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Open to vocalists aged 14-26 from Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Monterey, Santa Clara, and San Benito counties, the competition offers monetary prizes and the opportunity for the first-place winner to perform at a future festival concert. 420 Melrose Ave, Santa Cruz.
The season rounds out with these March and April events:
Concert III: Baroque Festival meets Family on March 1, 4 pm at Peace United Church. A family-friendly afternoon featuring “Peter and the Wolf” with Jörg Reddin on organ and Michael McGushin as narrator. 900 High St, Santa Cruz.
Concert IV: Secular and Sacred Vocal Music on March 7, 6 pm at Peace United Church. An evening featuring soloists Jennifer Paulino, Michael Jankosky, Jörg Reddin, joined by the UCSC Chamber Choir. Reception follows at 8 pm. 900 High St, Santa Cruz.
Concert V: All Bach Solo Violin on April 25, 7:30 pm at Calvary Episcopal Church. Violinist Nancy Zhou, first prize winner at the Isaac Stern International Violin Competition, performs Bach’s sonatas and partitas for solo violin. 532 Center St, Santa Cruz.
Whether you’re a seasoned baroque music lover or simply curious about this rich musical tradition, the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival offers multiple entry points to experience the power and beauty of music from centuries past. Learn more and register: baroque.org
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