Symphony of the Redwoods

➽ bad news
SYMPHONY CONCERTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED

It is with deep regret that Symphony of the Redwoods has decided to cancel our three symphony concerts this season.

We consulted with the Mendocino County public health officer and have decided that the difficulty of protecting our musicians while performing in close quarters on stage is too big a risk at this time when the delta-variant of the Covid-19 virus is still going strong in our county.

In order to avoid uncertainty and confusion and to provide a fair process for our auditioning conductors, we decided to cancel all three concerts.
Our plan is to present these same three symphony concerts next season.

➽ good news
OPUS CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES CONCERTS ARE IN FULL SWING!

We invite you to attend the next Opus concert at Cotton Auditorium on November 7th.

We are going full-steam ahead with our Opus Chamber Music Series as the issue of a stage crowded with a full orchestra is not a problem with the smaller chamber music ensembles.

For your safety we will require proof of vaccination and wearing of masks, and will provide socially distanced seating.

Opus Music
See the Opus line up here

Conductor One

RYAN MURRAY

Conductor Ryan Murray is a young rising star with a very busy schedule. He conducts Music in the Mountains, Opera Modesto, Sacramento and Modesto youth symphonies, and is the associate conductor of the Modesto Symphony. Ryan was a past conducting fellow with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Salzburg Festival. His conducting awards include winner of the American Prize in Opera Conducting in 2017 and second place in orchestral conducting in 2019. Ryan recently completed a master’s degree in Music Business and is interested in all aspects of an orchestra’s organization.
ryanjmurray.com

Conductor Two

BRYAN NIES

Bryan Nies is the Principal Conductor of Festival Opera and former Associate Director of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra where he was a Bruno Walter Memorial Conducting Grant recipient and the Oakland Youth Symphony's longest tenured conductor. He pursues an active performance and teaching schedule with multiple vocal and chamber recitals, and is a Lecturer at Stanford University. He released his first recording "Amour sans ailes: The Music of Reynaldo Hahn" on MSR Classics with baritone Zachary Gordin.
festivalopera.org/leadership

Conductor Three

PAUL SCHRAGE

Conductor and pianist Paul Schrage is currently Music Director of Symphonia Caritas and the Midsummer Mozart Festival. Previously he served as Interim Music Director of the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra during the 2019-2020 season. As a pianist, Paul has performed in recital, with orchestras, and in jazz settings across the United States and abroad. Artists he has performed with include Jory Vinikour, David Ramadanoff, Bobby Brookmeyer, Louis Bellson, Ian Swensen, Christina Major and Kindra Scharich.
paulschragemusic.com

Superb Music

"It seems to me that we as a community should all take great pride in all that the Symphony of the Redwoods has accomplished over these many years. That this astonishing orchestra has survived for so long pays great tribute to both you who have supported it and those devoted musicians who have worked ceaselessly to assure its continued success."
— Allan Pollack, Music Director and Conductor (retired)

Under the inspired musical leadership of Conductor Allan Pollack, Symphony of the Redwoods has evolved from a small community orchestra into the outstanding orchestra it is today, attracting fabulous musicians and world-class soloists. Pollack's commitment to excellence has energized musicians and audiences alike, and for over thirty years he has played a significant role in developing and sustaining musical life on the North Coast.

"How blessed we are to have such an incredible local symphony orchestra. They play with such verve, virtuosity and explosions of color. Thanks, Symphony of the Redwoods, you really really rock!"
— Letter to the Editor, Fort Bragg Advocate

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