Pacific Symphony

The healing power of music was on full display last weekend as our community came together for Rhapsody in Blue at 100: Concert of Hope, honoring the strength and resilience of cancer survivors and their families. Thank you to our partners, City of Hope Orange County, and partners Great Park Live, the City of Irvine, and Yamaha for making an incredible night possible. 📹: City of Hope Orange County #PacificSymphony #CityOfHope #ConcertOfHope #MusicOfHope #SummerFest2024 #GreatParkLive #WeAreIrvine

Pacific Symphony and Music Director Carl St.Clair are thrilled to announce the digital release of the orchestra’s world-premiere recording of, “Fiat Lux,” by composer Sir James MacMillan and librettist Dana Gioia, Poet Laureate of the State of California. The commissioning and recording of Sir James MacMillan’s "Fiat Lux," as well as the world premiere performances in the 2022-23 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Season, were made possible by a generous grant from Howard and Roberta Ahmanson, Fieldstead and Company, and the National Endowment of the Arts. Led by St.Clair on the podium, the recording features frequent collaborators Pacific Chorale (Robert Istad, artistic director), soprano Elissa Johnston, soprano, and baritone Christopher Maltman. Translated to English, fiat lux means “Let there be light.” The release coincides with the finale of Pacific Symphony’s 45th anniversary season leading into Carl St.Clair’s 35th season with the orchestra, making him the longest tenured American-born music director with a major American orchestra. Now available for streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music! LISTEN NOW: https://lnkd.in/gAFhkv3z

Today, we honor the remarkable Carl St.Clair on his birthday! 🎉 As our esteemed Music Director for nearly 35 years, Maestro St.Clair has been the heart and soul of Pacific Symphony, leading with unparalleled passion and dedication. His talent and presence have enriched our lives with unforgettable performances and inspired countless audiences. Beyond the podium, Carl's bond with our community runs deep, fostering a love for the arts that transcends generations. His commitment to music education for all ages has shaped countless lives and continues to inspire future generations. Happy Birthday, Carl! Thank you for your extraordinary leadership and your enduring legacy of musical excellence. 🎶 #PacificSymphony #CarlStClair

At a Gala (not so) far, far away...✨ Pacific Symphony’s 2024 Starry Night Gala was a cosmic celebration to remember! Together, our galaxy of supporters, donors, and partners united to support our award-winning education and artistic programs. Their generosity is a beacon, guiding us toward a future where music and education shine brightly for the next generation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these incredible individuals and families for their overwhelming support of our programs. As we continue our journey through the stars together, may the force of music be with you all! 🎶 VIDEO RECAP: https://lnkd.in/gQqCs2bB 📸: Doug Gifford and Annie White

Audio is a powerful tool for bringing people together. (sound on! 🔉) Last night I got to experience this first-hand. The city I live in, Mission Viejo, has a strong arts focus. This event was the last in a 4-part "Subterranean Sound" series in collaboration with Pacific Symphony Orchestra. The magic of a candlelight string quartet playing in a tunnel filled with people from all over the community gathering to hear music and stories was an incredibly moving experience. My dream is to bring along ambisonic microphones to mic the players, and to capture the audience at the next series of performances in the fall. Can you even imagine what this experience would be like in Dolby Atmos Immersive audio? Sound has so much power.... Dolby Laboratories

Pacific Symphony was honored to collaborate with Farhang Foundation on this past weekend’s celebration of the Iranian New Year festival of Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring. The program featured contemporary Iranian symphonic music performed by Pacific Symphony as well as traditional Persian music. Headlining the performance was the internationally renowned vocalist Shahram Nazeri, who has been called “Iran’s Pavarotti” (Christian Science Monitor) and “The Persian Nightingale” (The New York Times). Additional guest artists included acclaimed Iranian conductor and composer Shardad Rohani, vocalist Mahsa Vahdat, and percussionist Pejman Hadadi. For making this special celebration of love and unity possible, Pacific Symphony acknowledges the generous sponsorship of the Farhang Foundation and its Executive Director Alireza Rex Ardekani, Anoosheh Mostafaei-Oskouian and Alan Oskouian, and the Cyrus Society, which honors Iranian culture and community through their connection to Pacific Symphony and their love of classical music. #PacificSymphony #FarhangFoundation #Nowruz #NowruzConcert #ShahramNazeri

Big news from the heart of Orange County's cultural scene! Pacific Symphony is thrilled to welcome Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel as our “Official Hotel Partner” for the 2023-24 Pops Season until December 2024. With a generous donation of $56,000 from the hotel and their parent company, Wincome Hospitality, they're not just our neighbors across the street but also champions for the arts. A heartfelt thank you to Avenue of the Arts Hotel for your support, which ensures the music plays on with Pacific Symphony at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Here’s to celebrating this harmonious partnership! Pictured (L to R): John Forsyte (Pacific Symphony's President & CEO), Kevin Schjei (Avenue of the Arts Hotel GM), and Paul Sanford (Wincome Hospitality CEO). Photo by Doug Gifford #PacificSymphony #AvenueOfTheArtsHotel #CommunityPartnership #ArtsAndCulture

Officially announcing our 2024-25 Classical Season honoring our conductor, Carl St.Clair's 35th Anniversary Season! Watch to see the incredible shows and artists we have lined up. "This landmark 35th anniversary season is a testament to our collective journey—a tapestry of our shared experiences, growth, and our unyielding commitment to excellence." – Music Director Carl St.Clair

Relish the Lunar New Year magic all over again! This concert was generously sponsored by Board Member, Event Founder & Co-Chair Charlie and Ling Zhang and the Jade Society. Pictured next is Board Member and Event Co-Chair Carol Choi and her mother, Boon Ja Yoo, as well as special moments from the evening's performance. A special thank you to our Music Director Carl St.Clair, our Pacific Symphony, and all the amazing collaborators and performers who made Saturday evening so spectacular! The vibrant energy of our community and patrons lit up the night. The Year of the Dragon is off to a fantastic start!    Music Director Carl St.Clair Emcee Ronald Banks Pipa player Yu Liu Đàn tranh (Vietnamese zither) player Brian Bùi Pianist Fei-Fei Dong Yaya Dance Academy—Yaya Zhang, artistic director Wendy Hua Castille’s Violin Studio at Orange County Music and Dance Armonia Singers—Young Jin Choi, music director American Feel Young Chorus— Sam Wei-Chih Sun, conductor Pacific Chorale—Robert Istad, artistic director #PacificSymphony #LunarNewYear #YearoftheDragon

Culture OC's Tim Mangan explores the brilliance of Pacific Symphony's recent concert. https://lnkd.in/gCjbYJPV