During the 1940's internationally famous Russian pianist Maxim Shapiro came to Juneau to give a concert. Favorably impressed with the place, he suggested an "Alaska Music Trail" with a series of four artists or groups yearly. His hand-picked musicians from all over the world contracted concerts in eighteen Alaskan towns and in about six Canadian towns. He hoped that the "Music Trail" would last at least ten years, but he died in the ninth year, and his wife, Jane, carried his project through twenty-five years.

The CrossSound Festival continues the spirit of this Alaska Music Trail in Southeast Alaska, but not only does CrossSound present musicians from all over the world in Southeast Alaska, it also provides newly written compositions for them to play together with musicians from Southeast. The goal is the creation of integrated, balanced ensembles that give especially amateur and student musicians the opportunity to experience the multiple artistic standards heard today in professional performances internationally.

This celebration of musical diversity offers a variety of engaging aesthetic experiences for Southeast Alaskans. Including as many as six world premieres each year, the programs focus on contemporary music and incorporate new compositions for non-western instruments.

CrossSound is for Southeast Alaskans. The festival travels through Southeast communities that agree to host the concerts via the Alaska Marine Highway.

CrossSound functions as an agent that brings together artists from Southeast Alaska with guest artists from all around the globe. Southeast Alaskan musicians encounter a wide variety of contemporary compositional styles thus connecting Southeast Alaska to the array of artistic developments in other parts of the world and creating an ever expanding range of aesthetic experiences. The concerts serve to enrich the cultural life in Southeast, rounding out the concert seasons in a way that only very few regions the world can boast.

Through rehearsals and concerts, and with out-reaching ancillary programs, CrossSound involves musicians and audiences of all ages from all communities in Southeast Alaska. CrossSound aims to bridge cultural and social barriers, facilitating cross-cultural interaction and encourage reciprocal learning. Over time it allows audiences and artists to embrace new and unfamiliar music and inspires individual explorations into new musical worlds. CrossSound is open for applications to participate in the concerts from individual musicians, groups of musicians, as well as composers of all ages and heritages.