Archives: Events

Great American Ballets Tchaikovsky isn’t the only composer who wrote great ballets. Americans wrote their own classic works for great choreographers too. Aaron Copland changed the course of American music with this three ballets. On this concert, we perform his first and (perhaps) greatest: APPALACHIAN SPRING. We will be joined, live onstage, by the State Street Ballet from Santa Barbara. On the second half of the program, the orchestra moves front and center to perform a musical suite from Duke Ellington’s only true ballet score, “The River. Feb 12, 2022

The Creation Haydn brought down the house at the premiere of his most popular work, The Creation. This stunning oratorio with soloists and choirs demonstrates Haydn’s skill at using the orchestra for all manner of character and story. This is a not to be missed season ending event!   Leslie Ann Bradley, Soprano: Zach Finkelstein, Tenor Andrew Mahon, Bass   Apr 18, 2020

Colorful Arrivals Stravinsky’s Petrouchka is known as the work when the master composer first broke into his own, distinct style. And Britten’s “Young Person’s Guide” is a favorite for listeners of every age group.   Mar 21, 2020

Beethoven Innovates Beethoven and Tchaikovsky continue to push the envelope late into their careers. Two examples highlight this program, Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto opens while Beethoven’s 6th Symphony broke ground as the first programmatic symphony written around a simple storyline.   Feb 22, 2020

American Inaugurals Early works by great American composers, including Copland and Barber highlight this program that also features last year’s Grammy Award winning Saxophone Concert, “Rush” by Kenneth Fuchs.   Jan 25, 2020

Messiah Join the combined choirs of El Diamante and Golden West as they share the quintessential holiday work, Handel’s Messiah. We’ll share the Christmas portions of the nativity story with soloist and chamber orchestra in its original orchestration. Sheila Willey, Soprano Heather Jones, Mezzo-Soprano Chad Kranak, Tenor Ben Brady, Bass Dec 8, 2019

Bold Beginnings Beethoven and Brahms start out their careers with these two landmark works, the charm and power of Beethoven is already evident in his first piano concerto and Brahms’ 20 year labor of love, his first symphony, closes the program.   Nov 16, 2019

Raiders of the Lost Ark-Live We’ve had great success with our movie highlight shows, but we’re thrilled to open the season with a complete performance of the film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” with a live score played during the movie by our orchestra. Oct 18, 2019