Date
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Presented by Musical Living Foundation
Summer Music Festival 2026
Young musicians perform songs they choose alongside professional musicians—turning relevant music education into a powerful live experience.
McAllen, Texas · 08.08.26
What makes this festival different
Students don’t just perform. They lead the music.
Young musicians choose songs that matter to them and perform those selections live with professional musicians. It is more than a recital—it is the tangible expression of making music education relevant to every student.
Student ChoiceProfessional MusiciansLive CollaborationConfidenceRelevant LearningCommunity
Plan your day
Festival essentials
Everything you need for a smooth festival day, collected in one place.
Venue
McAllen Performing Arts Center Lawn
Address
801 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX 78501
Event time
6:00 PM–10:00 PM
Admission
Free community event
Parking
McAllen Performing Arts Center parking lots
Accessibility
Parking and accessibility follow McAllen Performing Arts Center guidance. Accessible restrooms will be available on site.
Family information
Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Food vendors will be available, and attendees may bring food.
Feel the festival
The festival experience
Student choice, professional collaboration, and community—shared outdoors in the heart of McAllen.
Student-chosen songs
Young musicians bring music that matters to them to life onstage.
Performing with professionals
Students share the stage with experienced professional musicians who support the full concert performance.
Families in celebration
A welcoming outdoor festival atmosphere for families and neighbors.
Opportunity in action
Meaningful performance experiences that help musicians grow.
Sponsors in community
Recognition for the partners who help the mission move forward.
Music education impact
A public celebration that expands access and inspires connection.
Evening program
Student Choice. Professional Musicians. One Stage.
Musical Living Academy students perform songs they have chosen alongside professional musicians in an outdoor concert created for families, friends, and the entire community.
Student performance set
Part 1
Starts at 6:15 PM18 performancesView setlist ＋Hide setlist −
Student performance set
Part 1
- 01Earth SongConstanza Guiterrez
- 02Jesus MusicOlivia Faith Reyes
- 03PerfectlyOlivia Faith Reyes
- 04Fly Me to the MoonDaniel Caleb Garza
- 05You’ve Got a Friend in MeJohn Luke Ponce
- 06Love StoryCharlotte Denzer
- 07Somewhere Over the RainbowEva Mathers
- 08Just the Way You AreJose Garza
- 09Let It BeJoaquin Garza
- 10ImagineJulian Saldana
- 11Guitar TownDean Trevino
- 12The BlessingIsla Rae Orozco
- 13Heaven by Los Lonely BoysCristian Obregon
- 14Stand by MeOwen Ashburn
- 15YellowOxel Martinez
- 16Hotel CaliforniaKenneth Harden Cooper
- 17Bring Me to LifeAvery Mata
- 18Karma PoliceAvery Mata
Featured intermission artist
Eros Garcia
10-minute solo setBetween Part 1 and Part 2Meet the artist ＋Hide artist −
Featured intermission artist
Eros Garcia
Latest release · July 17, 2026
Texas country from the Rio Grande Valley
Meet Eros Garcia
Rio Grande Valley singer-songwriter Eros Garcia brings an authentic Texas Country sound shaped by heartfelt storytelling and energetic live performance. He began building and managing his own band at 17 and became the first Texan to win the National FFA Talent Competition in 2019.
Since then, Eros has shared stages with Wade Bowen, Clint Black, Aaron Watson, Midland, Flatland Cavalry, and Braxton Keith—carrying music rooted in real stories from the Valley to audiences across Texas.
“Something real, straight from the heart.”
Live at the festivalEros will perform a 10-minute solo set during intermission. Performance selections will be announced from the stage.
Student performance set
Part 2
Starts at 7:53 PM24 performancesView setlist ＋Hide setlist −
Student performance set
Part 2
- 19Back in BlackAiden Olgin
- 20Billie JeanWeston Carr
- 21PerfectlyJacek Moreno
- 22I Know a NameAbigail Hernandez
- 23I Just MightEva Samuel
- 24OpaliteAva Neeley
- 25The ScientistAiden Olgin
- 26The Fate of OpheliaIsabella Gonzalez
- 27Chasing CarsErnesto Pequeno
- 28CreepDazael Rodriguez
- 29BelieverLucy Marie Lopez
- 30PraisesBelen Ceres
- 31Lose ControlLuke Neeley
- 32The RiskSelah Sanchez
- 33Somewhere Only We KnowGrecia Sibaja
- 34Santa MonicaAaralyn Salinas
- 35Sign of the TimesAaralyn Salinas
- 36Nothing Else MattersJames Luna
- 37ToxicityLuke Neeley
- 38Sk8er BoiAnalissa Diaz
- 39CaravanAndrew Requenez
- 40EverlongEliana Rodriguez
- 41Fade to BlackNoah Sanchez
- 42Uptown FunkLeah Schnaiderman
Closing acknowledgments and event wrap-up follow the final student performance.
Behind the sound
Meet the Festival Band
Angel Trevino
DrumsBand Director
Dwight Reeves
BassAssistant Band Director
John Hernandez
Keyboard
Abel Cruz
Guitar
Catherine Arredondo
Vocals
Jose Hernandez
Vocals
Why we gather
Music is more than a moment on stage.
“The Musical Living Foundation expands access to music education, creates meaningful performance opportunities, and strengthens communities through music.”
The Summer Music Festival is the Musical Living Foundation’s signature annual event—and a public expression of that mission.
Musical Living Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Discover the FoundationMake the music possible
Sponsorship progress
Sponsorship helps advance music education and meaningful performance opportunities through the Musical Living Foundation.
2026 goal achieved
Our community made the music possible.
Community partners raised $10,650 toward the festival’s $10,000 sponsorship goal. Additional support helps create more music-education and performance opportunities beyond this year’s event.
Partner with purpose
Put your business behind a stronger musical community.
Festival sponsors receive community visibility and recognition while helping create meaningful opportunities for local students and musicians.
Prefer to talk? Call or text us.Phone/Text: (956) 867-0649
Start your sponsorship
Tell us how you’d like to support the festival.
Share your contact information and intended pledge. This form does not collect payment; our team will follow up with next steps.
Community Sponsorship Opportunities
For local businesses, families, professional offices, and community supporters.
Ensemble Sponsor
Up to $249- Name listed in the digital event program
- Recognition on social media
Maestro Sponsor
$250+- Everything in Ensemble
- Logo in the digital program with website link
- LED screen recognition during the concert
- Stage acknowledgment
Virtuoso Sponsor
$1,000+- Everything in Maestro
- Largest logo in the digital program
- Premium LED screen placement
- Year-round social media recognition
- Complimentary vendor booth (optional)
- Recognition at MLA recitals throughout the year
Leadership Sponsorship Opportunities
For organizations, businesses, and individuals who desire to make a transformational investment in music education.
Virtuoso Sponsor
$1,000+- Same recognition as the Community Virtuoso level
- Available in both Community and Leadership tracks
Concertmaster Sponsor
$2,500+- Everything in Virtuoso
- Leadership Sponsor recognition
- Premium logo placement on festival signage and promotional materials
- Dedicated social media spotlight
- Premium recognition during the festival welcome and acknowledgment
- Premium logo display during intermission
Presenting Sponsor
$5,000+- Everything in Concertmaster
- Festival presented by your organization
- Premium logo placement on all festival branding
- Exclusive main event banner placement
- Opportunity to welcome attendees from the stage (2–3 minutes)
- First right of renewal for the 2027 Summer Music Festival
With gratitude
Our community partners
Virtuoso$1,000+
Maestro
Visit sponsor ↗
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Visit sponsor ↗
Visit sponsor ↗- Maestro sponsorDr. Gaudencio Olgin Family
- Maestro sponsorEfrain Reyna Family
Ensemble
- Ensemble sponsor
- Ensemble sponsorHinojosa Family
- Ensemble sponsorManuel Carrizales
Take part
There is a place for you in the festival.
Volunteer
Share your interests and availability for Foundation programs and events.
Volunteer with usBecome a sponsor
Call or text (956) 867-0649, or tell us how you would like to support the festival.
Explore our work
Learn how music education, performance, and community initiatives advance the mission.
Programs & ImpactStart a conversation
Connect about media, partnerships, volunteering, or festival questions.
Contact the FoundationPrevious festival moments
Festival highlights
A glimpse of the energy, expression, and community that shape the festival experience.
Watch the experience
Music, confidence, and community in motion.
See young musicians step onto the stage, perform alongside festival musicians, and share their work with a community gathered outdoors.
Archive footage from a previous Summer Music Festival.Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
Helpful answers for planning a comfortable, enjoyable festival evening.
01What time does the festival begin?+
The festival runs from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
02Is admission free?+
Yes. The festival is a free community event.
03Is registration required?+
No attendee registration is required. Visitors may simply arrive and enjoy the festival. Performers will receive their event-day instructions directly through Musical Living Academy.
04Where should attendees park?+
Parking will be available in the McAllen Performing Arts Center parking lots.
05Is seating provided?+
Please bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for enjoying the festival.
06What should attendees bring?+
Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Attendees may also bring food to enjoy while listening to the music.
07What happens if there is bad weather?+
Last-minute weather updates will be published through Musical Living Academy’s social-media channels. Performers will also be notified through their student Opus1 Client messages.
08Will food be available?+
Yes. Food vendors will be available, and attendees may also bring their own food. The approved vendor lineup is available in Festival Essentials and is curated by Thrive Markets.
09Are restrooms available?+
Yes. Accessible restrooms will be available on site.
10Is the venue accessible?+
Festival parking and accessibility follow McAllen Performing Arts Center guidance, and accessible restrooms will be available on site. Because the event is outdoors on the lawn, festival seating will not be provided; guests should bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.
11Are pets allowed?+
Yes. Pets are welcome at the festival.
12May attendees take photographs or video?+
Yes. Attendees may take photographs and video. The Musical Living Foundation will also have a photographer and videographer recording the event.
August 8 · McAllen
Come for the music.
Be part of what it makes possible.
Celebrate local musicians, support music education, and join a community brought together by sound.
Saturday, August 8, 2026McAllen Performing Arts Center LawnPhone/Text: (956) 867-0649