A November Message from Carl St.Clair
November is a good time to pause and reflect on the gratitude we feel for the vital cultural life we all share here in Orange County. I invite you to read our blog and website to find out more about the many gratifying cultural programs being presented this month.
In November the Symphony celebrates its annual Community Support Month in which we showcase the many ways we bring our orchestra to Southern California communities.
We’re proud to be a community-supported orchestra. Through your generosity, the Symphony is able to fulfill its social responsibility to help improve the lives of all Orange County residents regardless of their age, background, socio-economic condition, or other circumstances. Without your financial and volunteer support, our community programs simply wouldn’t exist.
Your investment impacts numerous communities throughout our region. From free performances such as Symphony in the Cities and our Kohl Family Symphony on the Go! mobile stage to service programs like arts-X-press, Heartstrings, Santa Ana Strings, and Class Act, only your support can generate this level of community impact.
Another important way Pacific Symphony impacts our community is by nurturing and inspiring young musicians grades 6 through 12 in our Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles, one of the largest pre-professional musical training programs in the nation. This month, you can experience concerts featuring Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (Nov. 14), Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (Nov. 20) and Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (Nov. 21).
We are pleased to welcome our newest addition to the PSYE family ensembles with the debut of the Pacific Symphony Youth Concert Band, founded in 2022 through the generous sponsorship and advocacy of Hans and Valerie Imhof and John and Elizabeth Stahr. PSYCB is led by award-winning music educator Angela Woo. I couldn’t be more delighted to welcome Angela into our Pacific Symphony ‘family’ as the newest member of our conducting ‘team.’ Having known Angela for over three decades, it has been wonderful observing her impressive career development. Her many accomplishments have distinguished her as one of the leading conductors and educators with middle school- and high school-aged musicians. There is no one more perfect than Angela to lead this new and exciting initiative in the Symphony’s Youth Ensemble Program. You won’t want to miss their inaugural concert on Nov. 20, “Simple Gifts: New Beginnings.”
On Nov. 29, Pacific Symphony will once again close Community Support Month by participating in GivingTuesday, the global giving movement now celebrating its tenth year. Be sure to watch the Symphony blog and social media channels for more information at the end of the month.
I leave you with my gratitude for your continued support and heartfelt wishes for a happy, healthy, and peaceful Thanksgiving for you and your loved ones.
