GRASS VALLEY, CA — Music in the Mountains invites music lovers and anyone who wants to get more out of a live classical concert to a special online presentation, “Musings with the Maestro: Exploring the Music of SummerFest 2026,” led by Artistic Director and Conductor Ryan Murray, on Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 PM.
Part of the popular Musings with the Maestro series, this engaging virtual conversation offers an insider’s preview of the music featured in Music in the Mountains’ 45th Annual SummerFest, running June 21 through July 11. Maestro Murray will guide participants through the stories, composers, and musical moments behind this summer’s extraordinary program — from the radiant genius of Mozart to the sweeping drama of Rimsky-Korsakov, the raw emotion of Leoncavallo, and the soaring Americana of John Williams.
Participants will gain a richer understanding of what to listen for at each SummerFest concert, and why these works have moved audiences for generations. Murray will share the artistic vision behind this year’s programming — the ideas, contrasts, and connections that make SummerFest 2026 a season unlike any other.
As Music in the Mountains’ Artistic Director, Murray has conducted music spanning centuries of the classical repertoire and brings both scholarly depth and infectious enthusiasm to everything he programs. This Musings session offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from the maestro himself about what excites him most about this summer’s concerts — and what he hopes audiences will feel when the music begins.
“SummerFest is built to take you on a journey,” says Murray. “Each concert has its own emotional world. When audiences understand a little of the story behind the music — what Mozart was going through when he wrote the Piano Concerto No. 23, or why Scheherazade feels like the most vivid storytelling ever put to an orchestra — they hear it completely differently. They feel it more deeply.”
The Musings with the Maestro series is designed to make classical music approachable and engaging for everyone, from longtime fans to those who are just beginning to explore the repertoire.
Music in the Mountains is dedicated to inspiring, engaging, and connecting the community through extraordinary musical experiences and accessible educational programs.
The event is free with a suggested donation of $10, and open to the public. Participants will receive a Zoom link upon registration.
Event Details
Musings with the Maestro: Exploring the Music of SummerFest 2026 Wednesday, May 20 7:00 PM (Online Event)
Register at: musicinthemountains.org