Now in its 39th year, La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest brings the world’s finest classical music artists to La Jolla, performing numerous premieres and commissioned works as well as lesser-known gems and the masterworks of the chamber music repertoire. Since 2019, the Music Director of SummerFest has been internationally acclaimed pianist Inon Barnatan, who welcomes artists including Augustin Hadelich, James Ehnes, Joyce Yang, Anthony McGill, Conrad Tao, and dozens more to perform in artfully curated programming. 

La Jolla Music Society owns and operates The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, opened in 2019, which includes the 481-seat Baker-Baum Concert Hall and the smaller cabaret-style space The JAI. The Conrad was designed by Epstein Joslin Architects, Inc. and San Diego firm JWDA. The Conrad’s acoustics were directed by Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics, whose long list of credits include Los Angeles’ Walt Disney Concert Hall, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Hamburg’s Elbephilharmonie and Paris’ Philharmonie de Paris. Every detail was considered to ensure that The Baker-Baum Concert Hall provided a top experience for both the artists and the audience. Called “a lovely jewel box” by Wynton Marsalis and “one of the most beautiful halls we have played” by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Quartet, The Baker-Baum Concert Hall has become known for its flawless acoustic and warm, lovely wood grid inner construction. 

La Jolla Music Society’s extensive Learning and Engagement efforts produce dozens of free events each year both at The Conrad and offsite in the community, including open houses and free outdoor concerts. For more than 25 years La Jolla Music Society has operated the Community Music Center, providing free musical instruction and instruments to underserved students in the community of Barrio Logan.