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| Last updated on January 17, 2008 |
It is the mission of the California Symphony Orchestra, Inc., to enhance the lives of those it serves in Contra Costa County and the extended San Francisco Bay Area by performing a full range of orchestral repertoire of the highest quality with special attention to the work of American composers; presenting talented young performers in their first professional concert appearances; featuring performances by world-class artists; and providing education outreach programs for the children and adults of our community
Description:
Named "Best Symphony Orchestra in America" by Reader's Digest, the California Symphony's mission is to enhance the lives of those it serves in Contra Costa County by performing a full range of orchestral repertoire of the highest quality with special attention to the work of American composers; presenting talented young performers in their first professional concert appearances; featuring performances by world-class artists; and providing education outreach programs for the children and adults of our community.
California Symphony’s classical subscription concert season is composed of four programs with eight performances at the Dean Lesher Center for the Arts (DLCA) in Walnut Creek, California. In addition to classical favorites, the work of an American composer is featured at every concert and each season talented young performers and world-class artists are featured.
Young American Composer-in-Residence Program: This program is designed to give outstanding, emerging, young American composers an opportunity to work with a professional orchestra for a three-year residency. The California Symphony commissions and premieres at least one new work per season. The California Symphony facilitates the composition process and overall is an integral cornerstone in the composition career of these composers.
Music-in-the-Schools (MIS): Music-in-the-Schools makes orchestral music come alive for the economically and ethnically diverse children of Contra Costa County. As a musical and educational resource, the orchestra’s ensembles present special age-appropriate units in elementary schools promoting a better understanding of and appreciation for music. Over 55,000 students have benefited from this remarkable program since 1992.
Family Concert & Instrument Petting Zoo: This annual family-oriented concert features musicians from all families of instruments in a 45-minute, lively, participatory performance. After the concert, kids of all ages (grandparents, too) have the opportunity to test their lungpower on clarinets, flutes, trumpets and trombones while others make ‘music’ on string and percussion instruments.
Free Community Pops Concerts: These annual free community concerts are offered in Concord and San Ramon in partnership with the respective cities and local businesses and draw an eager audience of thousands each year. The special two-hour concert program presented at both venues includes both classical and pops favorites.
Musical Salon Programs: The Symphony’s Winter and Summer Salon performances offer the opportunity to become better acquainted with our musicians while enjoying a very special afternoon or evening in the intimate setting of private homes. These unique performances have included a solo pianist or harpist, a flute and cello duet, a brass ensemble, a string quartet, and the ever-popular violin jazz trio. In addition to being wonderful donor cultivation events, the Symphony has begun securing Salon sponsors to underwrite some expenses, generate additional revenue and introduce new patrons to the Symphony.
History:
Music Director Barry Jekowsky and community leaders who recognized the need for a regional orchestra in Contra Costa County founded the California Symphony Orchestra in 1986. The Symphony will celebrate its 21st year during the 2007-08 concert season. The classical subscription concert season is composed of four programs with eight performances at the Dean Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California. The California Symphony has been the resident professional orchestra at the Regional Center For the Arts since it opened in 1990. Earlier performances took place at the Rheem Theater in the nearby town of Moraga. From the beginning, the Symphony has celebrated the great heritage of American music by including one work by an American composer in each program set. This dedication has been recognized nationally with awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers for “Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music.”
Maestro Jekowsky recognized the importance of creating new American music and he began the Young American Composer-in-Residence Program in 1991. The Symphony will be celebrating the 16th year of the program during the 2007-08 concert season. The Young American Composer-in-Residence Program program is designed to give outstanding, emerging, young American composers an opportunity to work with a professional orchestra for a three-year residency. The California Symphony facilitates the composition process and overall is an integral cornerstone in the composition career of these composers. The BMI Foundation, Inc. awarded a Special Citation to Barry Jekowsky and the California Symphony for their “visionary and passionate support of young American composers.” Foundation President Ralph Jackson stated, "We know of no other orchestra anywhere in the world doing this type of groundbreaking work with young composers."
Also in 1991, the CSO Board of Directors founded the California Symphony Alliance with the mission of supporting the Symphony through educational programs, fundraising projects, and volunteer services.
Created by Maestro Jekowsky and with assistance from the Alliance, the Music-in-the-Schools Program (MIS) was launched in 1992. An Alliance member attends each session of a MIS unit that typically involves seven visits to a school by seven different ensembles of California Symphony orchestra musicians. During these visits, the ensembles conduct up to four sessions a day involving from 40 to 60 youngsters each session. Since its launch in 1992 by Music Director Barry Jekowsky, over 54,000 school children of many ages and diverse backgrounds in Contra Costa County have had the experience of learning about music and music making.
The California Symphony was recognized by Reader’s Digest (May 2005) as “America’s Best Symphony Orchestra”. “…the Symphony features works by American composers – and not just old, dead men – on every one of its programs. Its Young American Composer-in-Residence program commissions works from top new talents who vie for three-year gigs. Younger people, Jekowsky has learned, enjoy young composers – and like watching young musicians play. So the Symphony gives pint-sized performers their first U.S. appearances – with prodigies like violinist Sarah Chang, who made her professional debut with the Symphony, going on to stardom.” Long before it became a trend, Music Director, Barry Jekowsky began giving extraordinarily talented young performers their first professional concert appearances in the United States, in the process earning the respect and admiration of many in the orchestra world. The commitment to feature a young musician each season has its roots in Jekowsky’s experience as a student at Juilliard. Many of his talented peers found it difficult to obtain performance opportunities that would advance their careers. At the California Symphony, he has worked hard to build a larger and more diverse audience for classical music by introducing many young prodigies including cellist Alisa Weilerstein, pianist Helen Huang, and pianists Sebastian Chang and Chloe Pang.
Contact people:
Main office number: (925) 280-2490
Office fax number: (925) 280-2494
Address:
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877 Ygnacio Valley Rd. #200
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://wwwcaliforniasymphony.org
Directions:
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Take 680 North to Walnut Creek
Exit on Ygnacoi Valley Road
past Civic Drive turn right in small driveway on teh right hand side
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Bart Walnut Creek,
Walk distance (in minutes): 20 min |
Miscellaneous Information
| Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency? |
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No others
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| What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency? |
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16 years
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| Is your agency wheelchair accessible? |
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Yes
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| Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10? |
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Yes
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| Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20? |
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No
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