We have planned an exciting series of 9 concerts and 4 symposia with the hope that you will share many memorable experiences with us. We begin our Festival with an Opening Ceremony of Gamelans and Samulnori plus the opening concert of “Hún Qiáo” -Bridge of Souls- our very special project for “remembrance and reconciliation” of World War II.

During the festival, our guest ensembles will include: Speculum Musicae of New York, EarPort Ensemble from Germany, Quake of Seattle and NOISE from San Diego. Other special concerts include: an evening of “Korean Musical Ceremony” with Masters Byung-Ki Hwang and Aeju Lee; a 70th Birthday Celebration for Terry Riley with Kronos Quartet and Zakir Hussain; and the preview of Manzanar “An American Story” with the Berkeley Symphony conducted by Kent Nagano and featuring pianist Aki Takahashi.

Our Festival brings together musicians and artists from all around the Pacific Rim and beyond to celebrate the diversity of our cultures and to share our connectedness of spirit through art and music. Please join me in welcoming them.