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From Texan tuba player to the California Symphony: Executive Director Aubrey Bergauer is on a mission to make classical music more accessible

October 23, 2018

California Symphony goers know her as the sharply dressed orchestra executive who addresses the audience before every concert. To peers in the field, she is a thought leader and sought-after speaker, with a reputation for challenging traditional thinking and established practices in orchestra management. Since becoming Executive Director in 2014, the California Symphony has been

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Fresh Look—The Symphony Exposed

October 11, 2018

This summer, 60 people—from classical music novices to dedicated aficionados—joined the California Symphony for a pilot adult education course led by instructor Scott Foglesong (Chair of Musicianship and Music Theory at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music), which was designed to throw light on the symphony and the music we play. Course instructor Scott Foglesong delivered

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“You’re AWESOME!”—Inspiring Bigger Dreams and Brighter Futures

October 11, 2018

Beyond music training and the teaching of life skills like commitment, perseverance, and how to work together, the Sound Minds music education program is also about exposing students in one of the poorest parts of the state to experiences that inspire and encourage them to imagine possibilities beyond anything they could ever have dreamed of before.

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Meet Percussionist Allen Biggs

October 9, 2018

We caught up with longtime California Symphony percussionist Allen Biggs to learn more about his life and work, and why he thinks he has best job in the world. California Symphony Orchestra: How long have you been playing with the California Symphony? Allen Biggs: I have been with the California Symphony since the very first

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And the Winners Are…

October 3, 2018

We’re delighted to introduce six new recruits to the California Symphony. The group includes four international artists, two Juilliard School graduates, a student of Itszhak Perlman, and a self-described corgi-whisperer. Clockwise from top left: Sarena Hsu Giarrusso (Assistant Principal Violin II), Xander Abbe, Sheng-Ching Hsu, Mijung Kim, Junghee Lee, Yulee Seo. One hot day in June,

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Trial by Audition

October 3, 2018

Imagine a job interview where you get to say anything you want and your interviewers have no idea who you are or where you’re from. Where your anonymous artistry is left to speak for itself, and where you never see your interviewers’ faces until AFTER you’re offered the job… We lift the lid on the mysterious

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On Bernstein, Root Beer Floats, and the Jazzy Side of Beethoven

August 25, 2018

Music Director Donato Cabrera and pianist Charlie Albright reprise a celebrated collaboration for the California Symphony’s 2018–19 season opener. We asked Music Director Donato Cabrera and returning virtuoso Charlie Albright about the upcoming BEETHOVEN & BERNSTEIN concert at the Lesher Center — Sept. 23 at 4PM. California Symphony: Donato, you intended for the 2018–19 season opener to commemorate

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9 Things to Know About Composer Gabriela Lena Frank

August 21, 2018

This California-born, Grammy award-winning composer was included in the Washington Post’s list of the 35 most significant women composers in history (2017). In case you hadn’t heard of her before, here’s a quick primer. View from Frank’s Timberstone Mountain Farm, part of the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music (pictured left) and composer Gabriela Lena

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