For 63 years, the Monterey Symphony has presented a full range of classical and pops programs serving the communities of the Monterey Bay, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Big Sur, and San Benito County. Its current music director Max Bragado-Darman has brought the fully professional orchestra to a new level of artistic excellence, attracting such distinguished guest artists as pianists John O’Conor, Dubravka Tomsic, and Oxana Yablonskaya; guitarists Angel Romero and Christopher Parkening; violinists Sylvia Marcovici and Vladimir Spivakov; cellists Raphael Wallfisch and Asier Polo; and guest conductors Roberto Minczuk, Marko Letonja, and Carlos Miguel Prieto. Created in 1991, the Symphony Chorus is open by audition to all members of the community. Past collaborations include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Orff’s Carmina burana, and Brahms’ German Requiem.

With concerts at Carmel’s Sunset Center and Salinas’ Sherwood Hall, it produces triple performances of a seven-concert subscription series from October to May. As these concerts frequently sell out, advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended. In addition, the orchestra presents a variety of smaller productions in attractive locations throughout the region. Its annual holiday programs are among the most popular in the area. It also offers an extensive education program for area young people including in school instrument demonstrations and annual youth concerts.