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Santa Barbara’s Music Academy of the West announcing the arrival of Jun Kaneko’s Monumental Sculpture

by Community Contributor • May 8, 2025 • Comments Off

Jun Kaneko’s Monumental Sculpture Arrives for Music Academy’s PercussionFest and the Groundbreaking Orchestral Work, Sculptures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2025 (Santa Barbara, CA) — The Music Academy of the West is proud to welcome Untitled, Head, a monumental sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Jun Kaneko, now installed on the Academy’s Fé Bland Plaza. Standing 13 feet tall and weighing nearly 2,000 pounds, the cast bronze work rests atop a stainless-steel base, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience Kaneko’s artistry up close before it takes center stage in two major Music Academy performances at The Granada Theatre.

After viewing the sculpture in person, the public is invited to experience its transformation into a striking percussion instrument live onstage at The Granada Theatre during PercussionFest — a sonic adventure for all ages — on Thursday, July 3 at 7:30 PM. This visually stunning, family-friendly extravaganza showcases the world of percussion, where everyday objects become extraordinary instruments and performers create mesmerizing rhythmic landscapes. At the heart of the evening is the West Coast premiere of The Bells by rock legend Stewart Copeland (The Police), and solo movements from Grammy-nominated composer Andy Akiho’s shimmering orchestral work Sculptures, co-commissioned by the Music Academy.

In both this performance and the full orchestral concert on Saturday, July 5, Untitled, Head will serve as a dramatic on-stage centerpiece. Akiho will use cello and bass bows to draw a remarkable array of tones from the sculpture itself — from laughter-like sounds to eerie weeping timbres — transforming it into an instrument in its own right. On July 5, the Academy Festival Orchestra, led by acclaimed conductor David Danzmayr, will present the complete Sculptures alongside Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra, with Kaneko’s towering work soaring 15 feet above the musicians as part of the striking visual and musical experience.

Untitled, Head will remain on campus through Monday, June 28 before it moves to The Granada Theatre — becoming a powerful bridge between art, music, and performance.

Visiting the Sculpture

Untitled, Head is available for public viewing on Fé Bland Plaza at the Music Academy through Monday, June 28. Visitors are welcome to view the sculpture during Music Academy business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, or until sunset via the Academy’s pedestrian access gates.

Admission is free, and no appointment is necessary. Fé Bland Plaza is located directly in front of Hahn Hall at the Music Academy’s Miraflores campus, 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.

About Andy Akiho

Andy Akiho, the Music Academy’s 2025 Mosher Guest Artist for Percussion and Composition, is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a seven-time GRAMMY-nominated composer. Called “trailblazing” by the Los Angeles Times, Akiho is celebrated for bold, inventive works that unravel intricate and unexpected patterns while constantly pushing the boundaries of classical music. His compositions are sought after by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world, and his performances highlight the theatricality and physicality of live music in thrilling new ways. During his residency week, Akiho will coach Music Academy percussion fellows on how to “play” the sculpture.

About the Music Academy of the West

The mission of the Music Academy of the West is to provide classically trained musicians and diverse audiences with transformative educational and performance experiences. We support musicians to expand their talents, inspire each other, and pursue artistic innovation.

Since 1947, the Music Academy of the West has flourished on its Miraflores campus in Montecito. Programs include its internationally renowned eight-week Summer Music Festival & School which trains up to 150 fellows ages 18-34 from across the globe, presenting more than 120 performances and events, competitions, and a fully staged opera. During the year, the Music Academy provides free music education to students grades 1-8 through its Sing! Program, a children’s choir that performs with local, national, and international partners; and produces the year-round Mariposa Concert Series featuring performances by Academy-affiliated artists. Learn more at musicacademy.org.

Media Contact

Kate Oberjat
Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
Music Academy of the West
koberjat@musicacademy.org
805?895-7908