Fantastic Variations

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FROM THE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Photo Credit: Lauren Radack

DEAR FRIENDS, I can hardly believe that our 2015 – 2016 Season is coming to a close this month! It seems like only yesterday that we were making plans for our January piano festival, Upright & Grand, and we were looking forward to the season beginning with the incredible Yuja Wang as soloist. As I look back on the year now ending, there are so many highlights. I am particularly proud of the many initiatives that were started this year, and the hoped for results – more people understanding what a dynamic, engaging and energizing orchestra we have in our San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Each of the nine guest conductors that worked with the orchestra commented on its high quality and how eager our musicians are to make music at the highest level. Not only did we have impact on our San Diego audiences, but our reputation has spread nationally and internationally! We also launched our first January Festival – four weeks of varied and unique programming which welcomed many individuals who were coming to hear the orchestra for the first time. Also included in the festival was our “Pianos in Public Spaces” project, which provided opportunities for us to develop partnerships with several San Diego organizations such as PATH Connections Housing, Combat Arts and A Reason To Survive for the first time. Many of the locations where we placed the public pianos were also new partners for the Symphony – The Quartyard, Museum of Contemporary Art Downtown, the Coronado Ferry Landing, The Headquarters and NTC. Our free Community Day in January was a first for us as well. In April we held three events dedicated to inspiring and supporting young musicians. On April 15, we welcomed the performing groups from San Diego State University to the Copley Symphony Hall stage to a cheering audience made up of members of the community, the students’ parents, SDSU alumni and board members common to both the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and San Diego State. On April 17th young musicians from four area youth orchestras performed side-by-side with members of the San Diego Symphony, and the coaching of these young musicians took place during two preparatory rehearsals culminating in a family concert. Finally on April 23rd we welcomed eight area high school bands to our stage for a day-long festival headed by clinician and composer Frank Ticheli. All of this expresses our belief that our young musicians need our nurturing to become performers, professional musicians and audience members of the future. Recently we announced our 2016 - 2017 winter season, during which we will celebrate the legacy of Jahja Ling who has served as our music director for over 12 seasons. During his tenure, Jahja Ling has hired over 60 musicians and has overseen a remarkable transformation and the artistic growth of the Orchestra. In his last season with us, his Legacy Season, Jahja has selected particular pieces of music that have special meaning to him and, we hope, to you. Next season continues our festival programming with American Variations: A Festival of Music Made in America. This month-long series of concert presentations takes a deep look at the many ways the landscape, history and culture of America has influenced composers and their musical styles. We are also paying tribute to the 70th birthday of John Adams, arguably one of America’s most successful and influential composers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. None of this would be possible without your support and enthusiasm. At a time when some institutions face declining audiences, we are happy to report that our audience numbers are growing. We are committed to bringing to you musical performances that remind us of the power of music in our lives. Thank you, and I hope to see you this summer at Bayside Summer Nights.

Sincerely,

Martha A. Gilmer Chief Executive Officer

SAN DI EGO SYMPH ONY O R C HES T R A W INT ER S EA S O N MAY 2 0 1 6

COVER PHOTO CREDIT: David Hartig PE R F O R MA N C E S MAGA Z INE P 1


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