2025 International Classical Music Alliance Music Festival
Masterclass & Conference & Concert
21st- 30th July 2025
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
The non-profit organization International Classical Music Alliance (ICMA) is pleased to present the 2025 Music Festival, which will bring together musicians, scholars, and educators worldwide for a comprehensive exploration of classical music. This event, held at Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, will offer a blend of masterclasses for various instruments, an academic conference, and performance opportunities for both students and professionals. The festival aims to foster a collaborative environment for learning, exchange, and performance, while also exploring the current landscape of classical music in both education and performance. The festival is designed to provide a platform for emerging talent, while also offering seasoned musicians and scholars a chance to share their knowledge and experiences. The event will include expert-led masterclasses, scholarly lectures, and concerts. This combination of education and performance is intended to enrich the classical music community and expand the global dialogue on music and its evolution.
Masterclass & Lecture
Instruments & Focus Areas:
• Piano: Focused sessions on solo piano works and collaborative performance. Masterclasses will address various technical and interpretive issues faced by pianists, from beginners to advanced levels.
• Strings: For violin, viola, and cello, covering solo repertoire and chamber music. Emphasis will be placed on technique, musicality, and historical context.
• Concerto Performance: Participants can present concerto movements, receiving expert feedback and guidance on orchestral balance, phrasing, and performance dynamics.
• Solo Performance: Designed for students who wish to present individual solo pieces. Each class will focus on performance skills, including interpretation, stage presence, and communication with the audience.
Lectures by Professors:
Professors and world-renowned musicians will provide in-depth lectures on various aspects of classical music, such as:
• Music theory and analysis
• Historical performance practices
• Pedagogical techniques for teaching classical music
• Career development for classical musicians in the modern age
Masterclass Schedule (21st - 25th July 2025):
The Masterclass sessions will run daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with breaks for lunch and short intermissions. Each day will focus on a different instrument group (Piano, Strings, Concerto, Solo) and July include performance and feedback sessions in the evening.
Proposed Masterclass Breakdown:
• Piano Masterclass (Solo & Collaborative Works)
• String Masterclass (Violin, Viola, Cello)
• Concerto Masterclass (Orchestra and Soloist Interaction)
• Solo Performance Masterclass (for all instruments)
• Recital Preparation and Final Review
APPLY for Masterclass
Conference
The International Classical Music Conference will consist of call-for-proposals sessions, where musicians, musicologists, and educators can present their research, ideas, and artistic projects.
Topics July include, but are not limited to:
• Innovation in classical music
• The role of classical music in the modern cultural landscape
• Teaching and learning in the digital age
• Cross-cultural collaborations in classical music
• Sustainability and the future of classical music institutions
Conference Schedule (28th - 30th July 2025):
The Conference will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day, with keynote speakers, panel discussions, and presentations of scholarly papers. The conference will also include networking opportunities and roundtable discussions.
Proposed Conference Breakdown:
• Opening Session, Keynote Speakers, and Panel Discussions
• Research Presentations, Scholarly Paper Sessions, and Thematic Discussions
• Closing Remarks, Special Roundtable on Future Directions for Classical Music, Banquet, and networking
Submit Proposal
Schedule Table:
Note:
*A more specific schedule for the 21st to 25th and 28th to 30th of July will be provided based on the number of participants and selected repertoire and topic.
*The date 26th and 27th schedules July switch according to the actual recital rental situation.
*The date of the 31st concert schedule is optional.
Location & Venue
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA – Renowned for its scenic beauty and world-class facilities, Pepperdine provides the perfect backdrop for the convergence of global classical music talent.
Venue:
• Masterclasses and Conferences: Various classrooms and performance spaces within the University
• Living: Pepperdine University dorm and apartment
• Out of Campus Concert: Recital Hall at Los Angeles
APPLY NOW!
Masterclass Participants:
Registration will open in early 2025, with applicants selected based on their submitted audition materials and repertoire. Masterclass slots will be limited to ensure personalized attention from the faculty.
Apply for Masterclass
Conference Attendees:
The conference is open to scholars, educators, and music professionals worldwide. Proposals for presentations can be submitted through an online portal, with selection based on relevance, quality, and originality of content.
Submit Proposal
Concert:
Those interested in performing in the final concert must apply as part of their masterclass registration or through a separate performance submission process.
Apply for Concert
We look forward to welcoming participants to Pepperdine University and to a successful and inspiring event in 2025!