2026 Arcades Music Festival Spotlights Hundreds of Student Musicians

The musical marathon begins at 12:30 p.m. Audiences are invited to meander the halls of the Conrad Prebys Music Center, popping into spaces that draw their aural curiosity.

• In the acoustically refined Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, listeners will enjoy symphonies by the classical greats such as Dvorak and Tchaikovsky, as well as ensembles featuring Persian music, jazz and more.
• Hear more than a dozen bands in the Courtyard, an outdoor space for rock, rap, punk and more energetic styles.
• Back by popular demand, the Singer-Songwriter’s Circle transforms the Orchestra Rehearsal Room into a lounge ambiance with acoustic acts.
• At the Experimental Theater, experience the Department of Music’s percussion ensembles, become immersed in an opera performance or catch an acapella show.
• The Recital Hall will be dedicated to classical chamber music, with pieces in a wide range of styles - from Mendelssohn and Prokofiev to Phillip Glass and Piazzolla.
• A new program called After Hours will feature numerous DJ sets from 8 p.m. to midnight.

More than two dozen musical styles are represented in the festival. Artists encompass undergraduate students studying music, those who are involved in music-focused student organizations at the university, as well as students who foster a passion for music outside of their academics. No matter what their affiliation, all musicians are welcomed into the festival fold.

It was the communal nature of the festival that drew third year data science major Angela Wu to join the Arcades student leadership committee this year. “I saw something special in being part of a community that connected through a deep appreciation for music and lifted each other up the way we do,” she said. “Being a part of Arcades has helped me step out of my comfort zone and explore novel perspectives outside of my STEM degree. It opened a door for me to participate in a welcoming community that has shown me more love and inclusivity than I could ever imagine.”

Beyond the leadership team, several performance groups represent the fusion of distinct disciplinary backgrounds, like The Glass Onion, formed through a shared passion for chamber music. The ensemble includes violinists Laura Liang (neurobiology) and Joel Carrasco (general biology), violist Alexi Alexiou (pre-pharmacy) and cellist David Zheng (structural engineering). Each contributes a unique perspective shaped by both their musical and academic experiences.

For many artists, performing their music is a chance to express their deepest dreams and authentic lived experiences. “My songs are not just written for the purpose of being popular or easily digestible, but as pieces of myself personified,” explained Indie singer/songwriter Matthew Caram. “With the help of my guitarist Mana Khalvati and pianist Annabel Metcalf, I aim to pause time and bring you all into the gallery of my life. This is prose in the medium of song.”

The intersections between art and science and opportunities for students of all majors to engage their creative minds is a defining culture at UC San Diego. These kinds of collaborations are fostered across the university, resulting in numerous performances throughout the year, part of the dynamic ArtsConnect initiative.

Learning on the job

Participating artists are not the only ones who are growing as professionals. The Arcades Music Festival serves as a hands-on learning opportunity for the student leadership committee, who are also enrolled in a two-quarter Department of Music course. Students of all majors are invited to learn a range of skills, from live event direction and how to curate artists to stage management and marketing tactics.

“As an Interdisciplinary Computing in the Arts Major (ICAM), my future goals revolve primarily around music” said first year Coen Rivera. “This could mean working as a producer, engineer or working on festivals. The Arcades offers great experience in this field that I can carry with me into my professional career after college.”

Helping students gain real-world skills was exactly the intention of Marco Londei and Liqun Wang, founders of the Farfy Foundation, who in 2024 provided a gift that sparked the creation of the new course that would culminate in a music festival. The unique course series prepares students to work collaboratively on a complex creative project, experiences that can transfer to many pathways after graduation.

“The Arcades has given me experience on a scale that I haven’t had before; this project has required coordinating with hundreds of students and dozens of staff across many different areas,” shared Arcades Producer and fourth year economics and music student Ryan Jeffers, who will be attending SDSU next fall to pursue a masters degree in orchestral conducting. “It’s been very valuable to work alongside UC San Diego music staff and see how large-scale productions such as these are run.”

All are welcome to attend the Arcades Music Festival on Sunday, May 17, beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Conrad Prebys Music Center. Learn more about the festival venue and program here.