Bear Valley, CA…Now in its 50th year, the Bear Valley Music Festival begins on Friday, July 20 and runs through Sunday, August 5, 2018 with a total of 15 concerts including a special free family matinee on Sunday, August 5. The festival showcases a wide selection of artists and genres including rock, classical, Broadway and jazz.

A mere 3.5-hour drive from San Francisco, Bear Valley is known primarily as a ski resort. Now in his sixth summer as music director, internationally recognized conductor Michael Morgan 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 tributes to Tom Petty and The Eagles, a concert by the real and authentic rock band Pablo Cruise, a reunion performance of Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto by legendary pianist Olga Kern and the festival’s retired conductor Carter Niece, the world-premiere of a new commission by composer David Conte, and a performance by world-famous jazz violinist Mads Tolling. Following the popularity of their Bear Valley debut concert last year, the Thalea String Quartet returns as the festivals ensemble-in-residence. The classical lineup includes Beethoven’s glorious Ninth Symphony in partnership with the Mother Lode Chorale, and Schumann’s Symphony No. 4. Other renowned artists are cellist Emil Miland, violinist Dawn Harms and Italian guitarist Peppino d’Agostino. There’s even a sampling of Broadway and opera this year with soprano Shawnette Sulker, mezzo-soprano Betany Coffland, tenor Jack Wilkins, and baritone Eugene Brancoveanu.

“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 is available in Bear Valley and in nearby Tamarack and Arnold. A pre-concert gourmet dinner can be added to all evening concert tickets, and a round trip shuttle ride may be reserved in advance from Murphys, Forest Meadows, Arnold and Dorrington.