Bear Valley, CA…Now in its 48th year, the Bear Valley Music Festival begins on Friday, July 22 and runs through Sunday, August 7 with a total 15 concerts including a special free family matinee on Saturday, July 30. The festival showcases a wide selection of artists and genres including rock, classical, bluegrass and jazz. A mere 3.5-hour drive from San Francisco, Bear Valley is known primarily as a ski resort. Now in its third year under the artistic leadership of internationally recognized conductor Michael Morgan, the music festival has put Bear Valley and the Highway 4 corridor on the map as a summer destination as well drawing an audience of thousands.

Highlights of this year’s festival include two tributes to Journey and The Beatles and a performance by world-famous jazz violinist Mads Tolling. Following the popularity of their Bear Valley debut concert last year, the festival presents the T Sisters once again with their unique blend of folk, bluegrass, R&B and soul. The classical lineup includes the single most famous symphony ever written, Beethoven’s Fifth, and
Chopin’s haunting second piano concerto with soloist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner. Other renowned artists are cellist Emil Miland, violinist Dawn Harms and the Del Sol String Quartet. There’s even a sampling of opera this year with guest conductor Paul Mauffray.

“This is the most significant cultural event of the year in our scenic part of the Sierra,” says executive director Eman Isadiar. “We always strive to present the widest possible variety of artists and musical styles to appeal to every taste and every generation.”

Tickets and information are available online at www.bearvalleymusic.org or by calling 209-813-0554. Lodging and concert packages are available through the Bear Valley Lodge. A pre-concert barbecue dinner can be added to all evening concert tickets, and a round trip shuttle ride may be reserved in advance from Arnold at the Meadowmont parking lot, and from Dorrington at Dorrington Realty, with the possible addition of Forest Meadows to the route.