History
In 1967 the inaugural concert saw a 38-person orchestra brimming out of the Bear Valley Lodge's Cathedral Lounge under the direction of Founder and Maestro John Gosling. As people's musical tastes broadened, the classical genre was supplemented with opera and an evening of Broadway show tunes (a perennial Festival favorite). Along the way, the Festival began to present an opening weekend of contemporary and country music that has brought us artists such as Dave Mason, Jose Feliciano, Roseanne Cash, Glen Campbell and the best of the country's tribute bands including Superdiamond. Every year, long-time attendees and burgeoning fans alike, are delighted by the variety of artists and events presented at the Bear Valley Music Festival.
Specialties
The Bear Valley Music Festival is committed to producing an annual summer program of classical, opera, and popular music, bringing together musicians and audiences in the natural beauty of the high Sierras, providing opportunities for personal interaction between audiences and professional and student musicians.