Festival Mozaic Mission & History
Mission
Festival Mozaic is a celebration of five centuries of music held year-round in spectacular venues on California's picturesque Central Coast. From Bach and beyond to Mozart and more, our world-class Festival presents diverse programs and dynamic international artists in chamber music and orchestral concerts, early music ensembles, and unique performances that combine classical training with jazz and world music.
Founded in 1971 as the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, Festival Mozaic is one of the oldest and most respected classical music festivals in the West. Taking place in July, with additional concerts throughout the year, the Festival offers more than 30 events in San Luis Obispo County’s most charismatic spaces. We are supported by a large, diverse and loyal audience base that includes locals and visitors who travel from many surrounding areas to attend.
The Festival’s programs are designed and led by dynamic music director, Scott Yoo, a New York-based virtuoso violinist and conductor. Maestro Yoo conducts orchestras and performs worldwide, consistently representing Festival Mozaic throughout the world. He is in residence at the Festival approximately six weeks annually.
Programs & Series
Festival Mozaic's concerts and programs are a unique, intriguing blend of repertoire drawn from five centuries of the world’s enduring and evolving music. Innovative programs designed to bring audiences ‘inside the art form’ are the Festival’s core mission. Festival Mozaic serves residents of the Central Coast, newcomers to the region and the many visitors who travel here to participate in Festival events.
Core Festival offerings include:
- Festival Orchestra Concerts welcome an orchestra of 80 professional players from around the world joined by international guest soloists. Taking place at the state-of-the-art Cohan Performing Arts Center and the Mission de Tolosa in downtown San Luis Obispo, these concerts are the core Festival programs.
- The Chamber Music Series presents smaller ensembles (two to 20 players) in intimate settings chosen to give the audience a personal experience with the artists and the music. Attendance ranges from intimate one-hour ‘cocktail concerts’ to larger concerts in diverse concert sites.
- The Fringe Series brings some of the world’s most innovative classical crossover artists to the Central Coast. The Fringe is one of the Festival’s most popular concert series, attracting a large, diverse audience. Concerts take place at various venues throughout the County, including wineries, parks and other outdoor locales.
- The WinterMezzo Series brings Festival artists and guest artists to San Luis Obispo County in the winter off-season. Each WinterMezzo weekend includes a Notable Encounter dinner and concert, attracting visitors and locals alike.
- Notable Encounters and the Artists’ Corner Education Programs are designed to illuminate the music and artistic process directly from the performers’ perspectives and give the audience an interactive experience. These casual, educational events increase interest in the Festival and the art form for musical connoisseurs and first-timers alike.
History
Clifton Swanson founded the Mozart Festival in 1971 and served as its Music Director and Conductor until 2004 when Scott Yoo was selected to step into that role.
The Festival began modestly with three performances over a weekend. However, it grew rapidly to six, nine, then eleven concerts and by 1983 the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival presented 19 concerts. In its early days, the Festival featured primarily orchestral and choral music, but as it has evolved it offers an ever expanding range of programming, including early music, period instrument concerts, jazz, contemporary music, opera, chamber music, solo recitals, world music and much more.
Throughout its history, the Mozart Festival has attracted its share of luminaries, up-and-coming artists and exceptionally talented orchestral, choral, and studio musicians who come to participate in great music making and to enjoy the pleasures of the Central Coast. Music critic Greg Hettmansberger wrote, in the prestigious Performing Arts Magazine, that the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival offers a "stunning variety of venues" and "unique and provocative artists," and that it is an "aesthetic extravaganza."
MOZART...Festival Mozaic features the rich legacy of the enduring universality, creativity and spirit of one of the greatest musicians the world has known. Impeccable and spirited performances by the Festival’s guest artists and musicians, all masters of the classical style, bring Mozart’s timeless masterworks to life.
AND...You’ll experience the best of the world’s musical influences with orchestral performances, chamber music, world music and jazz.
MORE...No matter what your musical taste, there is something for everyone at Festival Mozaic!