Carlsbad Music Festival

The audience expresses its appreciation at the conclusion of a free, open-air concert Saturday during the Carldbad Music Festival.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

A coffee shop customer at the Village Faire Shopping Center in Carlsbad listens to the piece “In C” performed in the courtyard.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Drew Allen, a doctoral student from UC San Diego plays “In C” on the tuba as he walks along an upper deck of the Village Faire Shopping Center. About 15 other musicians joined to play the Terry Riley composition on Saturday at the three-day Carlsbad Music Festival in the north San Diego County coastal city.

Strolling musicians play “In C” Saturday at the eighth annual Carlsbad Music Festival.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Vocalist Shara Worden performs the song cycle “Penelope” Saturday at the Carlsbad Village Theatre. The cycle of 14 songs by Sarah Kirkland Snider and sung with a chamber orchestra is about a woman’s husband who returns from war after a 20-year absence.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Canadian pianist Vicky Chow plays in the Carlsbad Village Theatre. She performed eclectic interpretations of classical and contemporary music.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)