History & Highlights 1994 The Festival is created after a two-year public process resulted in a “Blueprint for Community Invest- ment” calling for “creation of an artistically focused music festival in the City’s historic downtown core.” A leadership group responded; The Ventura Chamber Music Festival is born!

1995 Burns Taft is named first Artistic Director. The City is co-Presenter. Outstanding area musicians, visual artists, dance and music groups, become important, long-term collaborators. Sandra & Jordan Laby launch “Founders” donor program in their home with a dinner/music event. Mothers Day morning concerts are held at City Hall for many years.

• The Ventura Chamber Music Festival debuts with eleven concerts and Burns Taft as Artistic Director. Paul Shure, founder of the Hollywood String Quartet, is the Festival’s first concertmaster. • Virginia Mendoza O’Neil chairs a 30-person Steering Committee. The City and City Council are featured as co-presenters, and will remain acknowledged in this role through 2008. • In what begins an ongoing partnership between the Festival and visual artists, exhibitions of Vivika and Otto Heino and Hiroko Yoshimoto are featured. • A free concert of Latin, swing and contemporary music is held on the Ventura Harbor Village Lawn, along with a petting zoo for children. • A Sunrise Breakfast Concert featuring the Ventura County Master Chorale is held at City Hall on the Festival’s final day. • Citing “the rich cultural heritage of Ventura” as inspiration, the Festival’s main program of concerts fea- tures the works of Spanish and Latin American composers. 1994 1995 The Ventura Music Festival is established. The first Festival debuts, with Burns Taft as Artistic Director. History & Highlights

1996: Imperial Cities • The Festival theme draws from the music of the Imperial cities of Vienna and St. Petersburg with master works by Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart and others. • Lead presenters are Kinko’s and Ventura County National Bank.

1997: Romanticism Free public concerts and a Festival Gala Cruise. Ludwig van Beethoven • Kinko’s and Wells Fargo are presenting Sponsors. • Free concerts are offered at three downtown churches and two coffeehouses, including one concert designed for children. • The Festival Gala is a cruise onboard the two-deck yacht “Dream On.” Great romantic poets and Celtic harp music fills the salon while a jazz combo plays below.

1998: Windows on the World Karyl Lynn Burns is first Executive Director. Hiroko Yoshimoto is named Honorary Visual Art Curator. Laby’s receive first Festival Founders’ Award.

• Kinko’s, LA Times and City of Ventura Office of Cultural Affairs are chief presenters. • Karyl Lynn Burns joins VMF as its first named Executive Director. Hiroko Yoshimoto is on the masthead as Honorary Visual Art Curator. • Sandra and Jordan Laby receive the Festival Founders’ Award. • The Pure Joy Dance Company appears in the Festival’s first dance program in the premier of the Festival’s Celtic family concerts.

1999: Musical Impressions Festival appoints Gregory Smith first General Manager.

• American Express Financial Advisors, Kinko’s and LA Times are chief presenters. • Gregory B. Smith joins Taft and Burns on the masthead as General Manager. • Mike McGuire of Affinity Bank helms a 53-member VMF Board. • Mary and Hugh Crawford receive the Festival Founders’ Award. • Chanticleer, Christopher O’Riley and The Romero Guitar duo (Lito and Celino) are among Festival performers.

1996 1998 1999 Imperial Cities celebrates classic master works. The growing Festival hires its first Festival Founders’ Award Executive Director. is given to Mary and Hugh Crawford.

1997 Free public concerts become part of the Festival during the Romanticism Festival. History & Highlights

2000: Living Treasures Gregory Smith succeeds Karyl Lynn Burns as Executive Director.

• World-celebrated guitarist Sharon Isbin makes her Festival debut, and dance is again featured, this time courtesy of the Channel Islands Ballet. • There are two Brunch by the Beach discussion events with artists. • Spencer and Nancy Garrett receive the Festival Founders’ Award. • Kinko’s, the LA Times and the City’s Cultural Affairs Division are presenters in chief.

2001: Transcendent Bach • Paula Robison, “First Lady of the Flute”, and Pepe Romero are among the performers. • Albert and Micheline Sakharoff are Founders’ Circle Awardees.

2002: Mozart in Ventura Board president Doug Halter acknowledges the great tragedy of 9/11 in his opening message, observing that “Mozart, like no other composer, brings peace and comfort through his work.” Patricia Mastick Young, Ph.D. is Executive Director.

• Alicia de Larrocha is the storied name on the classical side of offerings; Grammy winner David Benoit is presenting his unique contemporary jazz sound; and the Cal Arts African Music and Dance Ensemble makes a special appearance. • Founders’ Circle Award honorees are Michael and Donna-Christine McGuire.

2003: New Beginnings VMF President Donna De Paola notes in her message that this is Burns Taft’s final year as Artistic Director.

• Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing Trio and the eighth blackbird are among the Festival’s performers. • Ray and Jean Di Guilio are recipients of the Founders’ Circle Award.

Pepe Romero

2000 2002 Spencer and Nancy Garrett receive the Festival Mozart is celebrated. Patricia Mastick Founders’ Award. Young becomes Executive Director.

2001 2003 Transcendent Bach features performers honoring New Beginnings marks Taft’s final year as Bach’s legacy. Artistic Director. History & Highlights

2004: Celebration of the Americas: VMF 10th Anniversary The Festival drops “Chamber” and becomes the Ventura Music Festival. Nuvi Mehta succeeds Burns Taft as Artistic Director. Next ten years sees emergence of Latin Jazz Concert, Student Jazz Competition and large-scale outdoor concerts during May Festival.

• The Festival drops “Chamber” from its name and the Ventura Music Festival is born anew. • Nuvi Mehta of the San Diego Symphony becomes VMF’s Artistic Director and serves up a diverse 10th Anniversary program of the Vermeer Quartet, swing clarinetist Eddie Daniels and a chamber orchestra finale devoted entirely to American music. • The C-Notes is formed, a small volunteer group that will organize special events and auctions in many of the years ahead. • Donna DePaola receives the Festival Founders’ Award.

2005: Music in Motion The Festival Violins Project provides an art and auction model for several Festivals to come.

• This Festival is something of a family affair, and what families! Celebrated countertenor Bejun Mehta joins the music-makers, including a performance with violinist brother Nuvi, and acclaimed flutist Eugenia Zukerman appears as a soloist and in concert with her soprano daughter Arianna Zukerman. • The Festival Founders’ Award goes to Stephen and Lynn Kipp. Nuvi Mehta • Aided by artist and Board member Susan Cook, VMF launches The Festival Violins project, commissioning, exhibiting and auctioning eleven glorious violins transformed by juried artists from blank canvases into glorious works of art. This is to be the first in a long series of themed, anniversary-related art projects.

2006: Stories in Music Cheryl Heitmann begins a long run as Executive Director. The “Dancing with the Laby’s” fundraising event honors long-time Festival supporters Sandra and Jordan Laby.

• The Festival focus is on “program music” and exploring compositions that tell specific stories with sounds woven into the music: Vivaldi’s four “Seasons” a case in point. Actors Joe Spano and Peter Strauss narrate different programs, and Branford Masalis appears in a much anticipated performance. Cheryl Heitmann

2006 2004 The Festival explores story-telling in th The Festival celebrates its 10 year with music as actors Joe Spano and Peter Nuvi Mehta as new Artistic Director. Strauss lend their voices to programs.

2005 Festival Violins Project is launched. History & Highlights

2007: Impressions – A Celebration of French Music & Art The first annual Latin Jazz Concert debuts in February. The first Student Jazz Competition is held.

• In February, VMF inaugurates the first of many annual Latin Jazz Concerts, this one a sell-out featuring Jazz legend Arturo Sandoval. • VMF initiates the Student Jazz Competition for high school musicians. Ultimately prizes will include cash for the three top finishers along with an opportunity for the 1st prize winner to play with a main stage band in February or May. • The 13th May Festival was dedicated to Micheline and Albert Sakharoff “for all they have done for the Festival and the arts in Ventura County.” • Musical offerings include appearances by Pearl Django as well as the Festival Orchestra with Corey Cerovsek on violin in an all-French program. • Tony and Michelle Strauss are Founders’ Award recipients. • Mary Kay Kaufman is named Volunteer of the Year.

2008: Appassionata! Music of the Romantics First outdoor concert on the College Green: Pink Martini

• In February’s Latin Jazz Concert, Poncho Sanchez and his band transform the audience into a pulsating conga line. • For the May Festival, VMF produces the first in what will be several large-scale outdoor concerts in the years ahead: this one on the Ventura College Green featuring Pink Martini and a sell-out crowd. • Other mainstage Festival offerings include opera sensation Nicole Cabell, and the Turtle IslandQuartet . • Al and Freddie Contarino receive the Founders’ Circle Award. • This program marks the final appearance of the City as co-presenter, co-message giver.

2009: Ruskaya! Music – the Soul of Russia Outdoor concert 2: Chris Botti Rubicon Theatre Company presents “Fiddler on the Roof” in association with VMF, featuring the Festival’s own Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta as the Fiddler.

• The Romeros join the Festival for a third appearance, this time by four of them. • Chris Botti helms the outdoor concert on the College Green! • VMF celebrates its 15th anniversary with the auction of art chairs by fifteen talented area artists. • Founders’ Circle Award goes to Sally and Ivor Davis. • Volunteers of the Year are Gail Satiestevan and Brian Mullin.

2007 2009 The Festival debuts the Latin Jazz Concert. VMF partners with Rubicon Theatre Company

2008 The Festival produces its first outdoor concert. History & Highlights

2010: Romanze! A Musical Journey from Vienna to Ventura Itzhak Perlman at Oxnard PAC and Herbie Hancock on College Green!

• Percussionist Pete Escovedo and his Latin Jazz Orchestra hold forth in February. • The fourth annual Student Jazz Competition has students competing live for the first time. • Music from the height of the classical period, including Mozart and Beethoven and two MEGA concerts: Itzhak Perlman in a special VMF performance at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock on the Ventura College Green. Other artists include Sharon Isbin in her second Festival appearance, and the Calefax Reed Quintet. • Bill and Elise Kearney take the Founders of the Year award. • Mary Ann Dase is Volunteer of the Year. Itzhak Perlman 2011: Caravana Muzica – Folk Inspirations in Classical Music Chris Botti returns for outdoor concert 4

• Arturo Sandoval makes a second appearance headlining the Latin Jazz Concert in February, this one in the Anacapa Hall at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. • The extraordinary young pianist, composer and singer Rachel Flowers wins this year’s Student Jazz Competition – perhaps all the more extraordinary given her blindness. She then goes on to play with Arturo Sandoval and his band during their Latin Jazz concert and wows them completely! Truly one for the record and memory books. • As to the May Festival programs, Mark O’Connor returns to blend Appalachian fiddle techniques into a new classical music, and Chris Botti returns to wow the audience assembled on the Ventura College Green. • Eric Oltmann and Susan Van Abel are Founders of the Year • Layla Hallberg takes Volunteer of the Year honors.

2012: Season 18 Tiempo Libre plays outdoor concert 5.

• The Spanish Harlem Orchestra brings salsa and more to the 6th annual VMF Latin Jazz Concert. • Cuban jazz sensation Tiempo Libre headlines the Concert on the Green in May. • The Emerson String Quartet presents the finest in chamber music and Federico Mondelci brings his “Classical meets Jazz” program to the Festival. • Rita Bay takes Founder of the Year 2012 and Pat Malone, Volunteer of the Year. • Longtime Executive Director Cheryl Heitmann exits to assume new duties on Ventura’s City Council.

2010 2012 Itzhak Perlman and Herbie Hancock perform. Cheryl Heitman exits to serve on Ventura City Council.

2011 Pianist, composer and singer Rachel Flowers wins Student Jazz Competition. History & Highlights

2013: Vivacity Academy of St. Martin in the Fields graces Ventura in March with two of the world’s leading soloists, Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan.

• The Latin Jazz Concert in February features Tito Puente, Jr. , and VMF’s 2013 Student Jazz Competition winner, saxophonist Jade Elliott, is so impressive the band’s music director invites her to sit in with them during the second half of the concert. • The “Evening of Note” is dedicated to the memory of longtime member Sally Davis. • Among May’s Festival programs: The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra and Cliburn Gold Medalist Haochen Zhang. • Mary Braitman receives Founder of the Year, while Shirley Milligan is Volunteer of the Year.

2014: Festivo! VMF’s Celebratory 20th Anniversary Season • The 2013-14 Season opens in November with a concert by the extraordinary young pianist Sean Chen and a program of Chopin, Ravel and others. • In December VMF presents a delightful Family Concert of Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches, and Roald Dahl’s twisted version of Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. • The multi-award-winning Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band brings its music to Ventura in February. • May Festival highlights include noted cellist Lynn Harrell, and separate sell-out concerts featuring the legendary Judy Collins and the equally legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band! • Volunteer of the Year goes to Cathy Gulden, and Founder of the Year goes to Barbara D’Incau.

2015: Season 21 Festival is dedicated to beloved patron Micheline Sakharoff. Herb Alpert & Lani Hall sell out Ventura High School. Ozomatli appears in Ventura College Stadium as VMF’s sixth outdoor concert.

• The Philharmonia Quartett Berlin opens the 2014-15 season in an October concert at Ventura College. • Pacific Mambo Orchestra takes on Latin Jazz Concert at the Majestic Ventura. • The March “Two Ladies of Note” event celebrates Micheline Sakharoff and Freddie Contarino. • Ozomatli and Herb Alpert and Lani Hall headline the Festival, the former in an outdoor Stadium Concert at Ventura College; the latter, in an emotional sold out concert at Ventura High School Theater. Herb Alpert & Lani Hall • Barbara Meister is honored as Founder of the Year, Kay Liddi as Volunteer of the Year, and retiring Board member and past president Mary Braitman is honored for Distinguished Service.

2013 2015 The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra plays. Festival is dedicated to beloved patron Micheline Sakharoff.

2014 Festival celebrates 20 years. History & Highlights

2016: Season 22 Susan Scott is named Executive Director. The annual Festival moves from May to July, with Sergio Mendes and Brasil ‘66 headlining.

• VMF presents first annual Children’s Concert for 1,000 VUSD third-graders. • Justice Steven Z. Perren is 2016 honoree for contributions to arts and community. • Rising Stars concert expands to include young choral and jazz musicians along with classical artists. • Don Gloisten and Janet & Mark Goldenson are named Founders of the Year. • Five of the six mainstage Festival concerts are staged in Ventura College PAC in partnership with the College.

2017: Season 23 – “An American Season” Festival is dedicated to remembering founder Sandra Laby for her extraordinary spirit and generosity. Doug Halter and E. J. Harrison & Sons are honored for contributions to arts and community. Michael Feinstein headlines festival with a show-stopping Great American Songbook program.

• Festival features three sell-outs. Overall schedule includes eight concerts, a master class and two editions of Tea & Trumpets. • Artists include bluegrass legend John Jorgenson, sensational Piano Duo Anderson & Roe, Perla Batalla in a sold out tribute to mentor Leonard Cohen, American classical from Nuvi Mehta & Friends, jazz great Roger Kellaway premiering a new version of multimedia Visions of America for piano, voice and violin. • Sandra Laby’s friends and family gather in a special post-concert celebration of her life. • Borchard Foundation funds a Community Music Pilot to provide live music to seniors and youth for whom access is limited.

Michael Feinstein

2017 Festival is dedicated to remembering Sandra Laby

2016 Festival moves from May to July Sponsors Heartfelt thanks to the 2016-17 Sponsors & Donors who made the Festival possible.

Headliner: $40,000+ Anonymous

Impresario: $15,000+ Platinum: $10,000 Julia Campbell & Ben Namba Dr. Peter Cannon Freddie & Al Contarino Celine Gillibrand for P.W. Gillibrand Co. Janet & Mark L. Goldenson Montecito Bank & Trust Hammer-Hewson Associates Schwab Charitable Fund and Shirley & Steve Simms Miriam Wille Jordan Laby Barbara Meister

Gold: $7,500 Silver: $5,000 Gloisten Family Charitable Foundation E.J. Harrison & Sons Pierpont Racquet Club Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation Service Limoneira & Limco Del Mar Rabobank

Bronze: $2,500 Copper: $1,000 Aera Energy LLC Pacific Western Bank Arianna Ashkar, Brett Ashkar, Players Casino John Ashkar & Family Community Memorial Health Services Halter-Encinas Enterprises Dr. Richard & Lori Reisman The Arts Collaborative Donor List

Grants: Donors: Philip Clarke Borchard Foundation ($15,000) Grand Patrons: Patrick Daley City of Ventura ($10,000) $5,000 to $15,000 Lyn Fairly Smith-Hobson Fund ($10,000) Ben Namba & Julia Campbell William & Gail Faulkner Julius Gius Memorial Rotary Bill & Elise Kearney Paul & Karen Finkel Foundation ($2,500) Jordan Laby Spencer Garrett (in memory of Ron Gill) Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church ($1,200) Alan & Diane Gordon Union Bank ($1,000) Patrons Circle: Randy & Barbara Hinton $1,000+ Carol Howe & Lucien Lacour Founders: Mary Ann Cohen Jon & Ann Ives Diamond: $5,000 Janet & Mark L. Goldenson Beverly Jackson Janet & Mark L. Goldenson Lydia & Tom Hopps Jerry Feingold (in honor of Jordan Laby Barbara Meister Barbara Meister) Barbara Meister Ruth Johnson Composers Circle: $500 Alan Kirschbaum Emerald: $2,500 Ann Ahlstone Patricia Lathrop-McPherson Bob & Mary Braitman The Arts Collaborative Anne Lecrivain Spencer & Nancy Garrett Jane Deknatel Charles Levin Don Gloisten Eric Oltmann & Susan Van Abel Al & Petra Lowe Roz Warner & Michael Hogan Bob & Mary Braitman Paul & Christine Magie Freddie & Al Contarino McFarlane, Faletti & Co., LLP Ruby: $1,000 Scott & Patti Johnson Rosanne Nachman Elena Brokaw Blake Wade Thomas & Mary Olson Don & Bonnie Carlton Lupe Pardue Sylvia & Dr. Steven Chang Conductors Circle: $250 Sylvia Rogers & Doug Williams Betsy Chess Gladys Aanerud Rolf & Carol Schoen Freddie & Al Contarino Eddie & Patricia Arkin Perry Shapiro County Commerce Bank Robert & Leni Belshay Timothy & Diana Smith Ivor Davis Dave & Karen Brubaker Marjorie Staley Pete & Diane Dowler Patrick Davidson Judith Streamer Fred & Lynda Evans Judith Diaz Lynn Weitzel Ferguson Case Orr Paterson Lisa Dunlap Barbara Fitzgerald Mark & Judith Fleischman Friends: $50 Jim & Mary Harrison Harmony Music Center Robert Beilin Herb Hemming & Edmund Andreas Jim Harrison Ronald Boch Patricia Lathrop-McPherson Celia Sisman Ron & Barbara D’Incau Jeannette & Dennis Longwill Kevin Voss Robert Draine Roger Myers & Katherine Stone Roz Warner & Michael Hogan Donna Hamer Timothy & Virginia O’Neil Doug Wied Barbara & Larry Hilburn Pacific View Mall Susan & John Knupp Steven & Diane Perren First Chair: $100 Eunice Koch Richard & Lori Reisman Anonymous Edward & Nell McCombs Eleanor & Mark Richman Cornelia Baer Rosemary McIntyre Susan Scott John & Catherine Baker Carole & David Minkin Timothy & Diana Smith Penny Barnds Mark & Siri Rochin Hilda Warren Stephanie Becerra Mike Russell David & Jennie Whaley Barbara Bowman Marta Smith Doug Wied Elena Brokaw Rose Thot Marni Brook James Uphold Glenda & Richard Chittenden Linda Wise

Donors recognized here made contributions to the Ventura Music Festival between May 15, 2016 and May 15, 2017. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these listings, we apologize for any omissions or errors.