Ventura Music Festival

What Ventura Music Festival does

Ventura Music Festival (legal entity: Ventura Music Festival Association, Inc., EIN 77-0314562) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1995 in Ventura, California, that presents live music performances and complementary educational and community programs to Ventura County audiences. Its core programming comprises a Summer Series (July) and a Fall Series (October) spanning classical, jazz, Latin, bluegrass, and world music, alongside annual signature events such as Make Music Ventura, the Opening Night Gala, Tea & Trumpets, and the Chanticleer holiday concert. The festival serves both paying ticket buyers (with published pricing from $15 student tickets up to $129 general seats and higher-priced VIP experiences) and free-event audiences via community partnerships.

Education and outreach programs are a meaningful secondary line of activity. Music in the Schools delivers music education to Ventura County classrooms (now expanded into Oxnard), the Student Ticket Program underwrites group access for schools, elder care facilities, and places of worship, and Songcraft Summer Camp and Music Matters Summer Camp provide immersive youth programming. The Music & Mental Health initiative at Community Memorial Hospital positions the organization as a wellness-program provider in addition to a concert presenter, and the Play it Forward campaign deploys $30,000 in outbound grants to local arts organizations.

The operating model is event-driven and fundamentally hybrid: ticket revenue (direct online sales through a Salesforce ticketing site, plus partner venue ticketing via Tixr at Ventura Music Hall), corporate sponsorships with tiers from $1,000 to $50,000+, individual donations, and grant-funded free programming. The organization runs with 1-10 employees, supplemented by volunteers and a Board of Directors, and relies on co-presenting partnerships with Downtown Ventura Partners, City of Ventura, Ventura College, Ojai Underground Exchange, Majestic Ventura Theater, and other venues. Marketing is conducted primarily through Constant Contact email (10,000+ subscribers), the website (venturamusicfestival.org), social channels, and earned media via local press such as Ventura County Reporter. Leadership transitioned in March 2026 with Sonia Tower appointed as Interim Executive Director.

Name

Ventura Music Festival

Legal name

Ventura Music Festival Association, Inc.

Website

https://venturamusicfestival.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ventura Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that presents classical, jazz, Latin, and world music performances to Ventura County audiences alongside education, wellness, and community outreach programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music & Cultural Events

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Arts & Culture Community Festivals (Multidisciplinary Arts Weeks) (MPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Live music performances
• Music education programs
• Community music events
• Concert programming
• Arts nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ventura

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales for performances ranging from $29 to $129 for general public, with higher prices for special events and VIP experiences. Student tickets available at subsidized rates starting at $15.
2. Sponsorships and Donations: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers (Soloist $1,000 to Impresario $50,000+) providing benefits including tickets, advertising, and recognition. Individual donors at Virtuoso, Composer, Conductor, Orchestra, and Soloist levels.
3. Educational Programs: Revenue from educational programs including Songcraft Summer Camp and Music in the Schools initiatives, with some free programming supported by grants and donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ventura Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that produces and presents live music performances, concert series, and community music programs across Ventura County. Its core offerings include an annual Summer Series (July), Fall Series (October), and special events such as Make Music Ventura, Opening Night Gala, Tea & Trumpets, and the Chanticleer holiday concert, complemented by music education and outreach programs.

Product overview

Ventura Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization presenting live music performances across multiple annual event series. The core offerings include the Summer Series (July) and Fall Series (October) featuring classical, jazz, Latin, and contemporary performers, alongside special events like Make Music Ventura (free community celebration), Opening Night Gala, Tea & Trumpets, and Chanticleer holiday concerts. The festival complements its performance programming with education and community outreach through Music in the Schools, Student Ticket Program, Songcraft Summer Camp, Music Matters Summer Camp, Music & Mental Health Program at hospitals, and the Play it Forward grant campaign providing $30,000 to local arts organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Make Music Ventura Free community music celebration held annually on June 21st as part of the worldwide Make Music Day tradition during the summer solstice, featuring local and regional artists across multiple stages in downtown Ventura.
• Opening Night Gala Celebratory event featuring live music, food, and drinks marking the start of the summer series at Palomino venue in Ventura.
• Tea & Trumpets Signature VMF experience held the Sunday prior to the October concerts, marking the start of the Fall Series with tea and trumpet-themed programming.
• Chanticleer Holiday Concert Special holiday concert featuring the Grammy Award-winning twelve-voice male vocal ensemble performing classical, gospel, jazz, and popular music spanning five centuries.
• Summer Concert Series Annual summer concert series held in July featuring performances including Beethoven's Choice, Angel Blue, Justo Almario & Jeremy Bosch, and Akropolis Reed Quintet at various Ventura County venues.
• Fall Concert Series Annual fall concert series held in October featuring Birth of Impressionism, TAKE3, Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter, and Pacific Jazz Orchestra tribute to Quincy Jones.
• Music in the Schools Music education program serving classrooms across Ventura County, expanding to underserved populations in Oxnard, offering hands-on music education to students.
• Student Ticket Program Program providing heavily discounted and free group tickets to qualifying schools, elder care facilities, and places of worship for performances.
• Songcraft Summer Camp Five-day immersive summer songwriting camp for young creatives, where each participant writes an original song professionally recorded and produced.
• Music Matters Summer Camp Youth music camp for ages 11-20 offered in multiple sessions at NAMBA Arts in Ventura and Ojai Underground Exchange.
• Music & Mental Health Program Supportive musical engagement initiative at Community Memorial Hospital offering programs for patients, staff, and visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 performances over eight months in 2025 season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Downtown Ventura PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2026Joint presenting partner for Make Music Ventura, a free community music celebration part of the worldwide Make Music Day tradition. The event runs from 12 to 8 PM across multiple stages in downtown Ventura.
• Ojai Underground ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenting partner for multiple events including Classical Edge concerts, Songcraft Summer Camp, and performances by artists like Pete Droge, Chris O'Leary, and Twanguero. Located at 616 Pearl Street, Ojai.
• Ventura Music HallcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-presenting venue partner for events including Stephane Wrembel, Elijah Fox, and TAKE3. Ticketing handled through Ventura Music Hall's Tixr platform. Located at 1888 East Thompson Boulevard, Ventura.
• City of VenturacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Spring Music Festival and Make Music Ventura, providing venue access and community support for free music events celebrating local talent and culture.
• Boyko & Reardon Funeral HomesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch sponsor for the Classical Edge Concert & Lunch: Gershwin event, providing lunch for ticketed patrons at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center.
• LP PercussionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind sponsor for Make Music Ventura, providing percussion equipment and support for the free community music celebration.
• Rocks & DramsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind sponsor for Make Music Ventura, contributing to the free community music celebration.
• Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation ServiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch sponsor for Classical Edge events, providing lunch for ticketed patrons as part of the concert experience.
• Ventura CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner hosting performances at the Performing Arts Center at Ventura College (4700 Loma Vista Road). Also partner for Ventura College Chamber Orchestra performances during Spring Music Festival.
• Majestic Ventura TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for performances including Ottmar Liebert, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Justo Almario & Jeremy Bosch. Located at 26 South Chestnut Street, Ventura.
• Rancho Campana Performing Arts CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Pacific Jazz Orchestra and Delirium Musicum performances. Located at 4235 Mar Vista Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010.
• Ventura Center for Spiritual LivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Chanticleer holiday concert. Located at 101 South Laurel Street, Ventura, CA 93001.
• Museum of Ventura CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Twanguero performance and venue for Soñando California event. Located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Symphony: Regional symphony orchestra where VMF Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta concurrently serves as Director of Special Projects. Comparable classical-music presenter in the Southern California market with broader institutional backing and overlapping artist relationships.
• Ravinia Festival: Largest outdoor classical music festival in North America, presenting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and diverse genres throughout summer. Comparable in programming breadth (classical, jazz, pop) and in operating a ticketed seasonal series plus education programs, though at much greater scale.
• Segerstrom Center for the Arts: Major Orange County performing arts center presenting classical, jazz, and contemporary performances year-round. Larger, broader-scope presenter with multiple resident companies and a substantial venue portfolio; competes for touring classical and jazz artists and Southern California audiences.
• LA Philharmonic (Hollywood Bowl & Walt Disney Concert Hall): Major orchestra presenting summer concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and year-round programming at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Competes with VMF for classical music audiences within driving distance of Ventura County and for top-tier touring soloists on the West Coast.

Direct peers

• Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music: Annual contemporary classical music festival in Santa Cruz, California, presenting orchestral concerts with world-class soloists and conductors. Comparable ticketed, multi-day regional festival model with nonprofit structure and strong educational programming.
• Ojai Music Festival: Annual classical music festival held in nearby Ojai, California, presenting internationally renowned artists across multiple days. Direct regional competitor for classical music audiences and sponsors in the Ventura County market, with similar nonprofit, ticketed-festival model.
• Music Academy of the West: Santa Barbara-based performing arts institution presenting classical concerts and festivals featuring fellows and guest artists. Comparable regional classical-music presenter with overlapping audience, similar nonprofit structure, and similar educational outreach mission.

Regional players

• Santa Barbara Symphony: Regional symphony orchestra presenting classical concerts and educational programs in Santa Barbara County. Comparable in classical programming, educational outreach (school programs), and nonprofit ticketing model, with overlapping Central Coast audience demographics.
• Symphony of the Vines: Regional community orchestra in San Luis Obispo County presenting classical performances. Comparable small-scale regional classical presenter with similar nonprofit, ticket-and-donation funding model and community education mission.
• Bach Festival of Southern California: Long-running (since 1965) regional choral and orchestral festival in Corona del Mar presenting classical works. Closely comparable ticketed, multi-day festival model with similar multi-tier ticket pricing and nonprofit structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/venturamusic
• Facebookfacebook.com/venturamusicfestival
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/venturamusicfestival

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ventura Music Festival