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3467 Sonoma Boulevard
Suite 10
Vallejo, CA 94590

P. O. Box 568
Vallejo, CA 94590

707-643-4441
Fax: 707-643-5746

Info@VallejoSymphony.org
 

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VALLEJO SYMPHONY 2009-2010

Celebrating Our 78th Season

Four Saturday Nights - Four Great Concerts

 

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Vallejo Symphony Orchestra is to present performances of symphonic music of the highest possible artistic excellence for the citizens of Vallejo and Solano County; to cultivate and nurture the appreciation and enjoyment of classical music in people of all ages; and to serve and shape the musical, cultural and educational interests of the people of Vallejo and Solano County.

History of the Vallejo Symphony

The Vallejo Symphony, seventh oldest symphony orchestra in California, traces its roots to the early days of the Great Depression, when a small group of community leaders determined that local musicians needed a showcase for their talents and that other members of the community would be enriched by attending live performances of timeless music.

On February 21, 1931, a 60-piece orchestra conducted by Julius Weyland made its debut in the auditorium of the city's newly dedicated Veterans Memorial Building. Concerts were presented throughout the decade with Mr. Weyland and George Trombley conducting the orchestra during these formative years.

Activity lessened, then ceased during World War II until 1946, when the Vallejo Symphony was revitalized under the auspices of the Vallejo Recreation District and the Adult Education Department.

Dr. Orley See became its conductor at that time. In 1951, Virl M. Swan took the conductor's baton to lead the orchestra until 1961, when Dr. George Wargo began his 21-year career as music director and conductor. The sixties saw the independence of the orchestra established, a subscription concert series launched, and supportive fundraising activities begun by the Symphony Association's board of directors.  During the following decade, artistic goals for the orchestra were set, and an annual Major Gifts Campaign was established to support a professional orchestra and expand the concert season.

The 1980s saw a dramatic improvement in the quality of the orchestra and programming when David Ramadanoff, a former associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and winner of the 1980 Leopold Stokowski Conducting Award, accepted the position of music director and conductor. Under his dynamic leadership, the Vallejo Symphony has developed into an urban orchestra of regional importance, attracting some of the finest musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area.  

The Vallejo Symphony now performs a four-concert subscription season and an annual Summer Pops concert each Fourth of July. As part of its commitment to the musical experience of Solano County's children, the orchestra performs Youth Concerts for the elementary school children of Vallejo, and presents its popular series of intimate, entertaining and educational Mini-Concerts in elementary schools throughout the County.
 

AKASHI-VALLEJO 25th Anniversary of Sister City Affiliation
November 21, 1993
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Piano soloist Jon Nakamatsu  signs autographs
Photo by Kevin Hill

Clarinet soloist José Franch-Ballester signs an autograph for board member Rosemary Thurston
Photo by Kevin Hill

Audience members talk to Jon Nakamatsu after his performance
Photo by Kevin Hill

Vallejo City Council member Joanne Schivley meets Jon Nakamatsu
Photo by Kevin Hill