- July 22, 2024
Paciific Symphony Musicians Bring Free Music to the Great Outdoors, When the Orchestra Visits Cosa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Orange, Lake Forest, and Irvine for "Symphony in the Cities"
Photos: https://bit.ly/psepk_sitc2024
This summer, Pacific Symphony is excited to show its appreciation to the community by hosting a grand, free musical celebration with its Orange County neighbors. This year’s “Symphony in the Cities,” made possible by corporate sponsor City of Hope Orange County, will bring the orchestra to Costa Mesa (July 30), Mission Viejo (Aug. 3), Orange (Aug. 4), Lake Forest (Aug. 17), and Irvine (Aug. 18). Music Director Carl St.Clair has curated an engaging evening filled with a mix of classical favorites, popular hits, and patriotic tunes. Audiences will delight in popular masterpieces from Tchaikovsky and Gershwin, spirited marches by John Philip Sousa, and iconic movie music from John Williams and Alan Menken. With activities for children and families, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a warm summer evening. Families are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets, and chairs, and arrive early to enjoy the Symphony’s Musical Playground and city festivities before the music begins under the beautiful O.C. sky. For more information, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org/SITC.
“I think I can safely speak for all of us at Pacific Symphony when I say that there is no time of year we enjoy more than summer!” says Maestro St.Clair. “Living in beautiful Orange County, we are so fortunate to have the opportunity to head outdoors for our ‘Symphony in the Cities’ concert series and spend time with people we might not otherwise have the chance to meet. We’re grateful to this year’s wonderful host cities of Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine and to the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University in Orange, as well as all the fantastic individuals who work so hard to make these concerts an enjoyable experience for all.”
This summer’s “Symphony in the Cities” concerts take place on: Tues., July 30 in Costa Mesa at Fairview Park; Sat., Aug. 3 in Mission Viejo on “The Village Green” at Oso Viejo Community Park; Sun., Aug. 4, at the Aitken Arts Plaza at Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University; Sat., Aug. 17 in Lake Forest at the Lake Forest Sports Park; and Sun., Aug. 18 in Irvine at Great Park Live.
In addition to the concerts, which all start at 7 p.m., (except for Costa Mesa, which begins at 6 p.m.) the City of Mission Viejo hosts its “Prelude in the Park” at 4 p.m. Other pre-concert entertainment, including the Symphony’s Musical Playground—featuring hands-on activities including a musical craft station that includes baton decorating and tambourine making; an instrument “petting zoo”; and a S.T.E.A.M. Station, where participants will learn visually and aurally how the sound an object makes is determined by different factors—begins at 4 p.m. in Mission Viejo and 5:30 p.m. in Lake Forest, Irvine, and at the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University. Plus, children and their parents won’t want to miss the always-popular conducting clinic led by the Maestro himself. All children who participate in the clinic are invited to join St.Clair in front of the stage during the concert to help him conduct Sousa’s Hands Across the Sea.
“One of my greatest passions is sharing my love of music with others, so every summer I am excited to bring Pacific Symphony out into the community, where it can touch the hearts of more people than ever,” says Maestro St.Clair. “This year’s program truly has something for everyone. And I most especially look forward to the children who help me conduct during the concert!”
COSTA MESA
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 6 p.m.
Pre-concert activities at 5 p.m.
Fairview Park | 2525 Placentia Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
MISSION VIEJO
Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Prelude in the Park at 4 p.m.
Oso Viejo Community Park on the Village Green and
Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center
24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m.
Aitken Arts Plaza at Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University
One University Drive, Orange, CA
To register to attend this free concert, go to www.MuscoCenter.org
This performance is supported in large part by Chapman University
LAKE FOREST
Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m.
Lake Forest Sports Park | 28000 Rancho Parkway
Lake Forest, CA 92630
IRVINE
Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m.
Great Park Live | 8000 Great Park Blvd
Irvine, CA 92618
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
Symphony in the Cities | Concert Program Details
Pacific Symphony
Carl St.Clair, conductor
Rich Capparela, Host
Rubi Lee, Violin
PROGRAM
JOHN STAFFORD SMITH: “Star Spangled Banner"
GEORGE GERSHWIN: Overture to Strike up the Band
JOHN WILLIAMS: "March" from Superman
JOHN WILLIAMS: "Imperial March" from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
JOHN PHILIPP SOUSA: Hands Across the Sea March
ALAN MENKEN: "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid Suite
ALAN MENKEN: Orchestral Suite from Beauty and the Beast
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY: Allegro moderato from Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
VARIOUS: Armed Forces Salute
SAMUEL WARD: "America the Beautiful"
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA: The Stars and Stripes Forever
Artists, programs, and dates are subject to change.
About Pacific Symphony
Pacific Symphony, under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Carl St.Clair since 1990, has been the resident orchestra of Orange County’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for over 15 years. Founded in 1978, the Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California, but is also recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes. The orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.
Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass' 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China the same year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras.
Pacific Symphony’s discography comprises 15 recordings, mostly of 20th- and 21st-century music by such American composers as William Bolcom, John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour. In 2012 for Naxos, St.Clair and the orchestra recorded Philip Glass’s The Passion of Ramakrishna, a Pacific Symphony commission that appeared on the Carnegie Hall program. The Symphony has also recorded for Harmonia Mundi, Koch International Classics, Reference Recordings, and Sony Classical, among other labels. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras. The Symphony’s education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
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This summer, Pacific Symphony is excited to show its appreciation to the community by hosting a grand, free musical celebration with its Orange County neighbors. This year’s “Symphony in the Cities,” made possible by corporate sponsor City of Hope Orange County, will bring the orchestra to Costa Mesa (July 30), Mission Viejo (Aug. 3), Orange (Aug. 4), Lake Forest (Aug. 17), and Irvine (Aug. 18). Music Director Carl St.Clair has curated an engaging evening filled with a mix of classical favorites, popular hits, and patriotic tunes. Audiences will delight in popular masterpieces from Tchaikovsky and Gershwin, spirited marches by John Philip Sousa, and iconic movie music from John Williams and Alan Menken. With activities for children and families, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a warm summer evening. Families are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets, and chairs, and arrive early to enjoy the Symphony’s Musical Playground and city festivities before the music begins under the beautiful O.C. sky. For more information, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org/SITC.
“I think I can safely speak for all of us at Pacific Symphony when I say that there is no time of year we enjoy more than summer!” says Maestro St.Clair. “Living in beautiful Orange County, we are so fortunate to have the opportunity to head outdoors for our ‘Symphony in the Cities’ concert series and spend time with people we might not otherwise have the chance to meet. We’re grateful to this year’s wonderful host cities of Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine and to the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University in Orange, as well as all the fantastic individuals who work so hard to make these concerts an enjoyable experience for all.”
This summer’s “Symphony in the Cities” concerts take place on: Tues., July 30 in Costa Mesa at Fairview Park; Sat., Aug. 3 in Mission Viejo on “The Village Green” at Oso Viejo Community Park; Sun., Aug. 4, at the Aitken Arts Plaza at Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University; Sat., Aug. 17 in Lake Forest at the Lake Forest Sports Park; and Sun., Aug. 18 in Irvine at Great Park Live.
In addition to the concerts, which all start at 7 p.m., (except for Costa Mesa, which begins at 6 p.m.) the City of Mission Viejo hosts its “Prelude in the Park” at 4 p.m. Other pre-concert entertainment, including the Symphony’s Musical Playground—featuring hands-on activities including a musical craft station that includes baton decorating and tambourine making; an instrument “petting zoo”; and a S.T.E.A.M. Station, where participants will learn visually and aurally how the sound an object makes is determined by different factors—begins at 4 p.m. in Mission Viejo and 5:30 p.m. in Lake Forest, Irvine, and at the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University. Plus, children and their parents won’t want to miss the always-popular conducting clinic led by the Maestro himself. All children who participate in the clinic are invited to join St.Clair in front of the stage during the concert to help him conduct Sousa’s Hands Across the Sea.
“One of my greatest passions is sharing my love of music with others, so every summer I am excited to bring Pacific Symphony out into the community, where it can touch the hearts of more people than ever,” says Maestro St.Clair. “This year’s program truly has something for everyone. And I most especially look forward to the children who help me conduct during the concert!”
“Pacific Symphony is thankful to this year’s participating cities of Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, and Irvine, as well as the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University, who have provided extra support and ensured that Symphony in the Cities remains a part of their communities this year,” says Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte. “Because of them, we are able to offer high-quality music in outdoor settings to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to hear this great music and orchestra.”
SYMPHONY IN THE CITIES LOCATIONSCOSTA MESA
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 6 p.m.
Pre-concert activities at 5 p.m.
Fairview Park | 2525 Placentia Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
MISSION VIEJO
Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Prelude in the Park at 4 p.m.
Oso Viejo Community Park on the Village Green and
Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center
24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m.
Aitken Arts Plaza at Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University
One University Drive, Orange, CA
To register to attend this free concert, go to www.MuscoCenter.org
This performance is supported in large part by Chapman University
LAKE FOREST
Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m.
Lake Forest Sports Park | 28000 Rancho Parkway
Lake Forest, CA 92630
IRVINE
Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m.
Great Park Live | 8000 Great Park Blvd
Irvine, CA 92618
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
Symphony in the Cities | Concert Program Details
Pacific Symphony
Carl St.Clair, conductor
Rich Capparela, Host
Rubi Lee, Violin
PROGRAM
JOHN STAFFORD SMITH: “Star Spangled Banner"
GEORGE GERSHWIN: Overture to Strike up the Band
JOHN WILLIAMS: "March" from Superman
JOHN WILLIAMS: "Imperial March" from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
JOHN PHILIPP SOUSA: Hands Across the Sea March
ALAN MENKEN: "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid Suite
ALAN MENKEN: Orchestral Suite from Beauty and the Beast
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY: Allegro moderato from Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
VARIOUS: Armed Forces Salute
SAMUEL WARD: "America the Beautiful"
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA: The Stars and Stripes Forever
Artists, programs, and dates are subject to change.
About Pacific Symphony
Pacific Symphony, under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Carl St.Clair since 1990, has been the resident orchestra of Orange County’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for over 15 years. Founded in 1978, the Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California, but is also recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes. The orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.
Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass' 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China the same year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras.
Pacific Symphony’s discography comprises 15 recordings, mostly of 20th- and 21st-century music by such American composers as William Bolcom, John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour. In 2012 for Naxos, St.Clair and the orchestra recorded Philip Glass’s The Passion of Ramakrishna, a Pacific Symphony commission that appeared on the Carnegie Hall program. The Symphony has also recorded for Harmonia Mundi, Koch International Classics, Reference Recordings, and Sony Classical, among other labels. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras. The Symphony’s education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
# # # #