Long a hub for adventurous programming and experimental soundscapes, the Ojai Music Festival continues its legacy in 2025 under the artistic leadership of Claire Chase. A central figure in contemporary music and founder of the Density 2036 project, Chase has curated a vibrant and wide-ranging program featuring major voices of our time.
Across four days in Ojai, California, the festival brings together artists such as the JACK Quartet, Wu Wei, Susie Ibarra, and longtime Ojai collaborator Steven Schick, in repertoire spanning from Julius Eastman and Anna Thorvaldsdottir to new works by Tania León, Leilehua Lanzilotti, and Susie Ibarra—whose Nest Box, commissioned for the occasion, premieres in honor of Schick’s 70th birthday.
Several performances are available to stream for free, including highlights like:
- “The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc” by Julius Eastman
- New works by Marcos Balter, including Pan and Chambers
- World premieres by Susie Ibarra and Terry Riley (arr. Alex Peh)
- Explorations of Bach and Gubaidulina in dialogue with each other
- A reimagining of Pauline Oliveros’s The Witness and a new solo flute version of Tania León’s Singsong by Chase herself
The festival offers a rare chance to experience cutting-edge performance with the intimacy and clarity Ojai is known for.
👉Watch the livestreams and explore the full season here
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