August 16, 2018
An American icon’s best loved works and a returning virtuoso feature in the California Symphony’s 2018–19 season opener—Sunday, September 23, at 4pm, at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. Read Scott Foglesong’s program notes here. PROGRAM: BEETHOVEN & BERNSTEIN Sunday, September 23, at 4pm, at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek Overture to Candide (1956) — by Leonard Bernstein
July 5, 2018
We caught up with the multi-talented musician, award-winning teacher, and long-time San Francisco Conservatory of Music faculty member, who leads FRESH LOOK: The Symphony Exposed—a new adult education class, which takes place at Walnut Creek Library for four Saturdays, starting July 14, 2018. Scott Foglesong leads FRESH LOOK: The Symphony Exposed — a new adult education class, which
May 5, 2018
Fabiola is mom to Adeline, one of the original Sound Minds students who joined the pilot program in 2012. Fabiola’s daughter Adeline was one of the original Sound Minds students. Youngest daughter Stefanie-Sofia looks forward to joining the program in second grade next year. CSO: Your daughter Adeline joined the program back when it started in
May 5, 2018
For the teachers, Sound Minds is not just about learning an instrument and raising academic standards; it’s teaching persistence, personal responsibility and life skills—and opening students up to a wider world of opportunities they would never otherwise have dreamed of. Sound Minds teachers Amy Haltom and David Sego. Amy Haltom is Program Coordinator for Sound Minds and
May 4, 2018
Fame, family, and the trials of ugly handwriting: Sound Minds students tell all. Fourth grade Sound Minds students Karla, Rick and Nick. We talked to students at E. M. Downer Elementary School about their experience with the Sound Minds program. With contributions from second graders Mia, Rebecca and Paloma (violin); and fourth graders Yvonne, Anong, Rick, and
May 1, 2018
The California Symphony’s Sound Minds music education program teaches life skills, raises English and Math test scores, and inspires a community, says Academic Coordinator Sonia Wong. Sound Minds students: Left—a second grader with the cardboard replica violin she will use to learn proper instrument care; Right—a fourth grade student plays us a tune on her cello
April 30, 2018
The Sound Minds music education program is transforming the lives of local underprivileged students — and giving Principal Marco Gonzales a way to talk to one struggling student. Edward M. Downer Elementary School Principal Marco Gonzales Marco Gonzales is Principal at E. M. Downer Elementary School in San Pablo, CA, where up to a third of students live
April 16, 2018
The 2017–18 season finale features two European masterpieces (“Something Old”), a world premiere (“Something New”), and a program with a difference At first glance, the line up for the California Symphony’s May 6 season closer —SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW—may look like business as usual. However delve deeper, and there is more to the finale than
April 16, 2018
Season finale guest artist Zhang first wowed audiences at the age of 5 Then and now: At left, Zhang plays for family in preparation for his first professional gig, just shy of his 5th birthday. Right: Haochen Zhang now. In demand internationally for nearly a decade now, Haochen Zhang first rose to prominence with his 2009 win
April 16, 2018
The California Symphony’s May 6 season finale includes the world premiere of Balch’s “like a broken clock” California Symphony Young American Composer-in-Residence (2017–2020). Photo credit KatieL Photography. We caught up with Composer-in-Residence Katherine Balch to learn more about like a broken clock, the first of three pieces she will deliver during her three-year residency with the