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Charlotte Denzer singing onstage with the Festival Band at the 2026 Summer Music Festival

2026 Festival Recap · McAllen, Texas

The night our students took the stage.

On August 8, young musicians performed the songs they chose alongside professional musicians—surrounded by families, partners, and a community cheering them on.

Watch the HighlightsExplore the Performance Archive
42 student performances6 festival musicians1 community stage

Because you came

The stage became theirs.

The 2026 Summer Music Festival was more than a concert. It was the moment practice became performance, student choice became shared experience, and music education became visible to an entire community.

This archive celebrates the students who stepped forward, the professional musicians who supported them, and every family, sponsor, vendor, and volunteer who helped make the evening possible.

2026 by the numbers

One evening. Lasting impact.

Every number represents a student heard, a professional musician beside them, or a community partner who helped make the stage possible.

Student performances
42
Festival musicians
6
Community partners
22
Community support
$10,650

Relive the evening

2026 Festival Highlights

Real moments from the stage, the lawn, and the community that gathered around the music.

Because you came

One night. Forty-two student performances. A community in full voice.

Watch a short reflection on the people who filled the lawn, supported the students, and turned the 2026 festival into a lasting memory.

View the photo story

What 2026 made possible

The festival experience lives on.

Student choice, professional collaboration, and community came together outdoors in the heart of McAllen.

Student-chosen songs

Young musicians brought music that mattered to them to life onstage.

Performing with professionals

Students shared the stage with six experienced professional musicians.

Families in celebration

Families, friends, and neighbors gathered outdoors in the heart of McAllen.

Opportunity in action

Forty-two student performances turned preparation into confidence.

Partners in community

Sponsors and vendors helped make a free community celebration possible.

Music education impact

One night showed what relevant music education can make possible.

2026 performance archive

Forty-two performances. One unforgettable night.

Revisit the full performance order from August 8, when Musical Living Academy students brought their chosen songs to the stage alongside the Festival Band.

Student performance archive

Part 1

Opened at 6:15 PM18 performancesView setlist ＋Hide setlist −

  1. 01
    Earth SongConstanza Guiterrez
  2. 02
    Jesus MusicOlivia Faith Reyes
  3. 03
    PerfectlyOlivia Faith Reyes
  4. 04
    Fly Me to the MoonDaniel Caleb Garza
  5. 05
    You’ve Got a Friend in MeJohn Luke Ponce
  6. 06
    Love StoryCharlotte Denzer
  7. 07
    Somewhere Over the RainbowEva Mathers
  8. 08
    Just the Way You AreJose Garza
  9. 09
    Let It BeJoaquin Garza
  10. 10
    ImagineJulian Saldana
  11. 11
    Guitar TownDean Trevino
  12. 12
    The BlessingIsla Rae Orozco
  13. 13
    Heaven by Los Lonely BoysCristian Obregon
  14. 14
    Stand by MeOwen Ashburn
  15. 15
    YellowOxel Martinez
  16. 16
    Hotel CaliforniaKenneth Harden Cooper
  17. 17
    Bring Me to LifeAvery Mata
  18. 18
    Karma PoliceAvery Mata

Program archive

Intermission

Between Part 1 and Part 2View note ＋Hide note −

The evening paused briefly between the two student performance sets. Part 2 resumed at 7:53 PM.

Student performance archive

Part 2

Resumed at 7:53 PM24 performancesView setlist ＋Hide setlist −

  1. 19
    Back in BlackAiden Olgin
  2. 20
    Billie JeanWeston Carr
  3. 21
    PerfectlyJacek Moreno
  4. 22
    I Know a NameAbigail Hernandez
  5. 23
    I Just MightEva Samuel
  6. 24
    OpaliteAva Neeley
  7. 25
    The ScientistAiden Olgin
  8. 26
    The Fate of OpheliaIsabella Gonzalez
  9. 27
    Chasing CarsErnesto Pequeno
  10. 28
    CreepDazael Rodriguez
  11. 29
    BelieverLucy Marie Lopez
  12. 30
    PraisesBelen Ceres
  13. 31
    Lose ControlLuke Neeley
  14. 32
    The RiskSelah Sanchez
  15. 33
    Somewhere Only We KnowGrecia Sibaja
  16. 34
    Santa MonicaAaralyn Salinas
  17. 35
    Sign of the TimesAaralyn Salinas
  18. 36
    Nothing Else MattersJames Luna
  19. 37
    ToxicityLuke Neeley
  20. 38
    Sk8er BoiAnalissa Diaz
  21. 39
    CaravanAndrew Requenez
  22. 40
    EverlongEliana Rodriguez
  23. 41
    Fade to BlackNoah Sanchez
  24. 42
    Uptown FunkLeah Schnaiderman

Closing acknowledgments and the event wrap-up followed the final student performance.

The musicians behind the students

The 2026 Festival Band

Portrait of Angel Trevino

Angel Trevino

DrumsBand Director

Portrait of Dwight Reeves

Dwight Reeves

BassAssistant Band Director

Portrait of John Hernandez

John Hernandez

Keyboard

Portrait of Abel Cruz

Abel Cruz

Guitar

Portrait of Catherine Arredondo

Catherine Arredondo

Vocals

Portrait of Jose Hernandez

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 Foundation

Thank you, 2026 partners

Community support in action

Your partnership helped turn student preparation into a public celebration of music, confidence, and community.

2026 result

Together, our community surpassed the goal.

2026 community partners contributed $10,650, exceeding the festival’s $10,000 sponsorship goal and helping make the student performances possible.

Goal surpassed$10,650contributed by 2026 community partners

Support Future Student Opportunities

Be part of what comes next

The next stage starts here.

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Choose your next step

Keep the music moving forward.

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Help create future music-education and performance opportunities.

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Explore our work

Learn how music education, performance, and community initiatives advance the mission.

Programs & Impact

The 2026 story continues

Celebrate what happened.
Help make what comes next possible.

Your support creates more opportunities for young musicians to learn, lead, and be heard.

Relive the Highlights
2026 Summer Music Festival ArchiveMcAllen, TexasPhone/Text: (956) 867-0649