Carmel/Monterey, CA – Monterey Symphony continues its 80th season celebration with concerts on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, at 7:30 PM and on Sunday, April 19th, at 3:00 PM at Sunset Center in Carmel with Music Director Jayce Ogren.

Concerts: “Our April program is about heroism and revolution. Do Frank Zappa and Ludwig van Beethoven belong on the same concert? I definitely think so, and I hope you’ll join us and decide for yourself! They both changed music forever, and they weren’t afraid to be brash, potent and political,” says Jayce.

“The world premiere of John Wineglass’s new clarinet concerto—titled Democracy, and featuring Mariam Adam—tackles heroism and politics head on. We’ll also feature Symphony No. 2 of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Geroges, a pioneering, multi-talented (and certainly heroic) composer of 18th century France,” says Jayce.

Pre-Concert Lectures – Lectures are included with all concert tickets and are held on Saturday, 6:30-7:00 PM with Musicologist Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli and composer John Wineglass, and Sunday, 2:00-2:30 PM with Music Director and Conductor Jayce Ogren and composer John Wineglass, in the Sunset Center auditorium. Free and open to the public.

Saturday Night Talk Back - Immediately following the Saturday evening concert, all ticket holders are welcome to join Conductor Jayce Ogren, soloist Mariam Adam, and composer John Wineglass in the lobby for a Talk Back. Patrons will have the opportunity to ask questions about the concert in a Q&A style format and are offered a complimentary glass of wine.

Sunday Pre-concert Music - On Sundays, the Symphony offers Lobby Sessions with Live Music in the lobby from 1:45-2:00 PM & 2:30-2:45 PM. The March concert Lobby Session features Symphony principal percussionist Frank Wyant. Arrive early to hear our musicians up close while enjoying refreshments from the Sunset Center Café. Free and open to the public.

Tickets are $50 for Tier 3, $70 for Tier 2, and $90 for Tier 1 seats. Students, teachers, and military tickets are $12.

About the Monterey Symphony: The Monterey Symphony was founded in 1946 and presents double weekend performances during the academic calendar, opening the season at Forest Theater, followed by six more programs at the Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For each program, the Symphony orchestra is comprised of 80 professional musicians from throughout California. The Symphony is committed to bringing people together through music and using the healing power of music to transform lives. The Symphony actively engages patrons of all ages through a variety of partnerships and initiatives, including performances for thousands of local school children. The Symphony’s mission is to entertain and engage our community through musical performance and education. Monterey Symphony regularly receives national attention for the strength of its audience support, robust subscription renewals and audience retention.

Performances at Sunset Center, Carmel, San Carlos and 9th Ave.
www.montereysymphony.org