Classical Music Takes Center Stage: Ventura County’s Must-See Concerts This Fall

VENTURA COUNTY, CA — Classical music lovers in Ventura County have plenty to look forward to this fall. A wide-ranging lineup of concerts will bring everything from intimate chamber recitals to large-scale symphonic celebrations, showcasing both international stars and local talent.

Highlights at Bank of America Performing Arts Center

The Thousand Oaks venue will host several standout events, blending classical influences with global sounds.

Benise: 25 Years of Passion (Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.) — A fiery evening of Spanish guitar and dance weaving flamenco, Cuban salsa, Brazilian samba, Parisian waltz, and exotic drumming.
Celtic Thunder (Oct. 19, 7 p.m.) — The group reunites past and present members for a heartfelt performance of fan favorites.
Soweto Gospel Choir: Peace (Dec. 11, 7 p.m.) — The multi-Grammy-winning choir delivers South African freedom songs, spirituals, and classics, along with renditions of artists like Aretha Franklin and Leonard Cohen.

Camerata Pacifica’s Beethoven Journey

Now in its 36th season, Camerata Pacifica embarks on an ambitious “Beethoven 32” series, exploring all of Beethoven’s piano sonatas. Local concerts at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks will also feature:

Sept. 28 — Arensky’s String Quartet in A Minor, Vasks’ Castillo Interior, and Brahms’ String Sextet in G Major.
Nov. 2 — Beethoven’s “Hammerklavier” Sonata, Mozart’s Serenade for Wind Octet, and Chopin’s Nocturne No. 11.
Nov. 23 — Rachmaninoff’s Sonata for Cello & Piano, Sigfúsdóttir’s Aequora, and Babadjanian’s Piano Trio in F-sharp Minor.

Ojai’s Chamber Music Gems

Chamber On The Mountain (Oct. 19, 3 p.m.) — Pianist Marina Grozdanovic performs in the intimate Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts.
Ojai Arts Center (Sept. 14 & Oct. 18) — The Singer Chamber Players present Beethoven, Chopin, and Glinka on Sept. 14, while October brings a Concert for Flute and Piano featuring works by Ravel, Barber, and John Biggs.

Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra (CHICO)

Under Dr. KuanFen Liu, CHICO’s fall concerts spotlight bold themes:

Sept. 28 — “Bold. Brilliant. Revolutionary.” Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto challenge classical traditions.
Nov. 23 — “Women in Classical Music” honors Germaine Tailleferre, Florence Price, and Emilie Mayer, highlighting three centuries of female composers.

New West Symphony Celebrates 30 Years

The symphony’s anniversary season mixes classics with pop culture crossovers:

Oct. 4–5 — “Best of Beethoven” featuring pianist Inna Faliks and a powerful chorus.
Nov. 1–2 — “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert” with John Williams’ iconic score performed live.
Dec. 6–7 — “Winter Dreams” with Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, festive carols, and Tchaikovsky’s Winter Dreams Symphony.

Local Ensembles and College Concerts

Ventura College (Sept. 8 & Oct. 6) — Programs range from the Greek Rebetiko Trio to the Fortuna Wind Quintet.
Village Voices Chorale (Nov. 21–22) — Under new director Jaclyn Paige, the Conejo Valley ensemble presents “Thank You for the Music,” blending Abba, Disney, Broadway, and Leonard Cohen.

Which of these concerts are you most excited to attend this fall? Have you experienced any of these ensembles live before? Share your favorites and let us know which performances you won’t be missing.