Welcome to the 2026 Central California Baroque Festival! We thank you for preparing your students for this event in the past and we look forward to hearing this year’s fine performances. It is our hope that this festival will help to motivate our music students to carefully study and prepare a work by a Baroque composer and experience joy and pride in sharing their performance. This process is a valuable experience which can spark a lifelong appreciation for the fabulous music of this period. The festival is also meant to be a learning opportunity for everyone. Performers play before expert judges who send written feedback. Well-prepared young musicians perform with and for their peers in public, exposing the lucky audience to the profound variety of wonderful Baroque sound. Teachers and students will hear a guest artist perform exciting Baroque literature and will also have opportunity to receive the expert advice of a Baroque master-teacher. Our mentor, colleague and friend, Dr. Bob Bennett, left his fellow musicians with a priceless legacy - a spirit not only based in love of music, but also the joy and challenge we experience as we work, learn, and “team up.” The Bennett Baroque Educational Fund is now working via the Fresno County MTAC to continue this important legacy of excellence in musical education and joyful music-making. It was Bob’s wish that this fund be used for the direct benefit of students. The generosity of this gift allows us to invite excellent speakers, guest artists and renowned master teachers whose presentations are open and convenient to our private studios as well as the general public. Do not miss these presentations! Teachers: Plan to attend and bring a carload of students - they will thank you for a memorable day! To encourage a diversity of participation, we are offering a series of recitals in which students have many choices: Festival Recital: Open to all qualified student performers; each participant of this non- competitive recital receives a Certificate of Participation & a written evaluation; teachers are encouraged to enter students performing original Baroque literature of all levels. Students are welcome to perform on any instrument, either from memory or with score. (no arrangements!) Awards Recital: Open to all qualified student performers; each participant of this competitive recital receives a certificate & a written evaluation plus opportunity to earn a festival ribbon or medal; teachers are encouraged to enter their intermediate level through advanced level students who have some performance experience and will be expected to perform from memory on their instrument of choice. Performers in either recital division may choose to play a keyboard solo, an instrumental solo with or without accompanist, and/or perform as part of an ensemble group. Studios may coordinate their efforts to provide ensemble and chamber group experience for their students. There is great opportunity for all!