About Us
“Mainly Mozart is a symbol of musical excellence, virtuosity and the shared love for our profession.”
— Martin Chalifour, Concertmaster
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Who We Are
Since 1988, Mainly Mozart has brought the San Diego community together to experience the finest in orchestral music, intimate concert experiences, and extraordinary music education for young people. In that time, the famed Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival has made its name as the largest gathering of Concertmasters and Principal Players in the United States, boasting top level players from the world’s greatest orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic and dozens more.
Our Mission
Using the genius of Mozart as inspiration, Mainly Mozart brings together world-class musicians from across North America for classical and innovative musical programs. Through our youth orchestra, we are ensuring the preservation and appreciation of classical music by giving young musicians the opportunity to learn and perform together.
Our Vision
Mainly Mozart will be recognized nationally for providing a welcoming, accessible place for exceptional and innovative musical artistry and for educating youth through music creation and performance.
Values Statement
At Mainly Mozart, we value:
The joy of shared musical experience
Innovation and excellence in musical programming and performance
Musical education and learning
Fiscal responsibility that sustains our mission and vision
Serving Our Community
Free Community Concerts
Every year, Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra and professional artists perform a variety of free community chamber concerts.
Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra students perform free concerts for various retirement communities and elementary schools.
Cross-Border Connections
For more than twenty-five years, Mainly Mozart has taken its programs south of the border as “Mozart Binacional.” In Tijuana and other municipalities of Baja California, Mainly Mozart has sponsored music camps and master classes for Mexican student musicians, art competitions for youth, and in-school music assemblies for thousands of children.
Mainly Mozart maintains a close partnership with the Centro de Artes Musicales, Tijuana’s music conservatory, performing together as the Youth Orchestra of the Californias, fostering international goodwill and understanding on both sides of the border. Mainly Mozart has won numerous prestigious awards for its leadership in cross-border cooperation and innovation.
Work in the Autism Community
Mainly Mozart has collaborated closely with autism organizations including Art of Autism, Autism Center for Excellence at UC San Diego, Autism Heals, Autism Society San Diego, Autism Tree Project Foundation, D’vine Path, MusicWorx, Resounding Joy, the SDSU Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders and more.
More than 100 autistic musicians have been featured as part of the Mainly Mozart & the Mind series, wherein top national and international scientists and speakers come together to discuss the music-brain connection.
The Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra has a strong inclusion policy, with differently-abled and neuro-atypical students integrated directly into core-programming.
“The Mozart & the Mind symposium in San Diego was absolutely the most joyful and wonderful autism event I have ever attended.”
- Marisa Leon,
Founder of Autism Heals
Mainly Mozart During COVID
"The only organization in the country that steadfastly committed itself to presenting live performances [through COVID] was Mainly Mozart."
- San Francisco Classical Voice
On July 11, 2020, Mainly Mozart was nationally recognized as the first arts organization in the country to perform live classical music in front of live audiences (Newsweek) since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.
“This past week at Mainly Mozart is one that I will always remember as being one of the most important of my career. The creative capacities and deep dedication of the whole team at Mainly Mozart are an inspiration and an example for arts organizations across the country to follow."
- Scott Pingel, Principal Bass
San Francisco Symphony
What began as a one-off concert drew such demand, it was turned into a series of more than a dozen socially-distanced, drive-in concerts.
In November of 2020, Mainly Mozart became the first arts organization in California to perform live orchestral music in front of live audiences.
Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival
“…not just one of the most important festivals in the country, but in the world.”
- David Kim, Concertmaster
Philadelphia Orchestra
Since 1988, the Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival has been home to the largest gathering of concertmasters and principal players in North America. Every June, leading players from dozens of America’s top orchestras, all come together to perform on one stage. Only in San Diego.
“Could be considered the greatest orchestra currently performing anywhere in the world.”
- San Diego Reader
Top Musicians From Leading Orchestras, Including:
Atlanta Symphony
Boston Symphony
Cleveland Orchestra
Dallas Symphony
Los Angeles Philharmonic
National Symphony
New York Philharmonic
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
San Diego Symphony
San Francisco Symphony
Toronto Symphony
…And Dozens More.
Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra
“I grew tremendously as a musician and as a person during my four years in MMYO. It taught me to be a leader.”
- Max Opferkuch, Clarinet
San Diego Symphony (Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra Alumni)
The Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra provides nearly 350 San Diego county students between 5-18 with solo, chamber, and orchestral performance opportunities, as well as the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rehearse and perform side-by-side with the Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra. The Youth Orchestra has a strong inclusion policy that integrates young musicians of all abilities and musical backgrounds.
