Now in its 39th year, La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest brings the world’s finest classical music artists to La Jolla, performing numerous premieres and commissioned works as well as lesser-known gems and the masterworks of the chamber music repertoire. Since 2019, the Music Director of SummerFest has been internationally acclaimed pianist Inon Barnatan, who welcomes artists including Augustin Hadelich, James Ehnes, Joyce Yang, Anthony McGill, Conrad Tao, and dozens more to perform in artfully curated programming.
La Jolla Music Society owns and operates The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, opened in 2019, which includes the 481-seat Baker-Baum Concert Hall and the smaller cabaret-style space The JAI. The Conrad was designed by Epstein Joslin Architects, Inc. and San Diego firm JWDA. The Conrad’s acoustics were directed by Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics, whose long list of credits include Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Concert Hall, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Hamburg’s Elbephilharmonie and Paris’ Philharmonie de Paris. Every detail was considered to ensure that The Baker-Baum Concert Hall provided a top experience for both the artists and the audience. Called “a lovely jewel box” by Wynton Marsalis and “one of the most beautiful halls we have played” by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Quartet, The Baker-Baum Concert Hall has become known for its flawless acoustic and warm, lovely wood grid inner construction.
With learning and engagement at the heart of its mission, La Jolla Music Society reaches over 11,000 students and community members annually, offering complimentary tickets for students and veterans, open rehearsals, expert-led lectures, free community concerts, and much more. For more than 25 years La Jolla Music Society has operated the Community Music Center, providing free instruments and group lessons to students grades 4-12 in Logan Heights, San Diego. Students who complete two years of the program are awarded their instrument they can keep for life.
