The San Lorenzo Valley community is invited to join the fifth annual SLV Music and Art Festival, taking place Wednesday, May 20, from 4-8pm at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton.
This beloved tradition hosted by the SLV High School Music Boosters brings together student musicians, artists, families and neighbors for an evening of celebration and support, and organizers are excited to get the word out about the event.
“The festival came about because of Covid,” said Carey Liston, music director for the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. “The event was previously called Band Fest and it was held in the high school gym, but when Covid happened, we had to limit seating capacity. Prior to Covid, the music program at SLV was expanding and we were outgrowing the space in the high school gym. Covid gave us the opportunity to think outside the box and to be creative with our performance space.”
That gave way to the Music and Art Festival taking root in 2022.
“It was so successful that we continued the event, and it has become a beautiful opportunity to showcase musicians in SLV including fifth grade elementary, middle and school bands, and choir,” Liston added. “It has now grown to include the community band and the new charter band to include more students; we now have over 200 music students represented as well as K-12 art. It’s all about kids creating, sharing their creativity and talents.”
Angelica Stretch has had two sons graduate from SLVHS, but she continues to be part of the Music Booster Club thanks to the joy she receives from participating.
“We started this as just an outdoor concert,” she recalled, “and then the high school art teachers caught wind of it and said, ‘Hey, can we join in and display student art?’ And we thought, maybe we can make this bigger.”
That “maybe” quickly turned into something more—and more.
“We talked a couple of food trucks into coming, and they were hesitant,” Stretch said with a laugh. “They asked, ‘How many people are going to be there?’ and I said, ‘I don’t know.’ But they took a chance on us, and that first event just turned out perfect. Each year we’ve kind of stepped it up a little bit.”
Now in its fifth year, the once-simple concert has evolved into a full community festival.
“This year, we’ve got the art show indoors, more food trucks, and even student clubs coming in to do activities,” Stretch said. “It’s grown over the years, and I feel like this year we’re really upping the ante.”
At its core, the event is about connection.
“It really creates a sense of community,” Stretch explained. “The kids have a safe space to land when things feel stressful. Music gives them that.”
She’s seen that impact firsthand through her own two children.
“They both played from fifth grade all the way through high school,” Stretch said. “And even during the pandemic, when everything went online, the program still flourished. That’s a testament to the teachers and the kids.”
The concert itself reflects that journey.
“You start with the elementary kids, and it’s a little squeaky,” Stretch said with a smile. “Then you see the progression through middle school and high school, and it’s amazing.”
Beyond the music, the event serves a larger purpose.
“It’s free to attend, but we raise money through a silent auction,” Stretch said. “Those funds go towards scholarships, new instruments, repairs and things the program really needs.”
More than anything, she hopes the event brings people together.
“It’s just a fun community event,” she said. “A little piece of magic in our valley.”
Featured performances will include fifth-grade band students from Boulder Creek Elementary and San Lorenzo Valley Elementary, the SLV Charter school band, SLV Middle School’s Red and Black band and Panther Band, and the high school’s Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Choir.
The musical evening concludes with an emotional rendition of “Ode to Joy” that will be performed by all 250 SLVUSD music students and has become the most anticipated portion of the event.
The SLVHS bands and choir recently participated in the WorldStrides Heritage musical competition in Los Angeles, earning one gold and two silver awards based on national rankings. Along with the band awards, Jeffery Dixon, a senior at SLVHS, was awarded a distinguished “World Strides Team Player” recognition, selected from among thousands of participants.
And, for those who may not have a direct connection to the schools, Stretch added, “It’s an opportunity to see what these kids are doing, and to see that we have really talented, dedicated young people here. There’s so much negativity about the younger generation, and this shows the opposite. It’s something really special.”
Attendees at the Music and Art Festival can browse the Art Show and Sale taking place in Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton. Guests will enjoy a variety of food trucks, beer and wine and live auctions throughout the event.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Donations are encouraged to help sustain music education in San Lorenzo Valley schools.
For more information, visit slvmusic.org/slv-music-art-festival.
