Co-presented with Philharmonic Society of Orange County
Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 3PM
Pre-concert lecture by CK Dexter Haven | 2PM
Soka Performing Arts Center at Soka University of America
Randall Goosby, violin & Zhu Wang, piano
Mr. Goosby’s recordings can be found exclusively on Decca Classics For more information on Randall Goosby, visit www.randallgoosby.com Management for Randall Goosby: Primo Artists, New York, NY www.primoartists.com
For more information on Zhu Wang, visit www.zhuwang.com Management for Zhu Wang: Young Concert Artists, New York, NY www.yca.org
JOSEPH BOLOGNE, CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 3 IN G MINOR, OP. 1A
Allegro
Rondo gracioso
SONATA NO. 1 IN A MAJOR, OP. 13
Allegro molto
Andante
Allegro vivo
Allegro quasi presto -- INTERMISSION --
ERNEST CHAUSSON POÈME, OP. 25
FRANZ SCHUBERT
RONDEAU BRILLANT IN B MINOR, D. 895
Violin Sonata No. 3 in G minor, Op. 1a (1781)
JOSEPH BOLOGNE, CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES
(1745–1799)
We possess a fine 1787 portrait of Joseph Bologne in which he embodies the very image of the preRevolutionary French gentleman: powdered wig, billowing lace kerchief, richly textured velvet coat, gloves, and an elegant rapier attesting to his fencing skill.
But there’s something just a bit different about it: Joseph Bologne was a person of color. The son of a wealthy French planter and a slave woman, he was born in the French West Indies and probably grew up in Saint-Domingue, a wealthy sugar colony with a vibrant cultural life. All that ended abruptly with the 1791 slave revolt and the establishment of the Republic of Haiti. Well before then, however, Joseph had settled in Paris, where he happily hobnobbed with the elite in their salons, clubs, and gardens.
Bologne’s two great passions were fencing and playing the violin, both of which he was an acknowledged master. His compositional output is, not surprisingly, dominated by works for violin, of which the three Op. 1 sonatas provide splendid examples of his art at its maturity. In keeping with the latest developments, Bologne treats the two instruments as full partners, rather than discounting the violin to the role of supporting the early piano’s weak sustaining power.
The G minor sonata embodies two trends that were all the thing in the late 18th century–sturm und drang, and the galant style. In effect they are polar opposites: ‘storm and stress’ refers to works in minor keys with a considerable amount of churn, while galanterie, an elevation of etiquette into a prime civilizing force, threaded through both art and society. In this sonata, the minormode first movement is a stormy affair in places, but in keeping with the era’s overall optimism, it also spends a fair amount of its time in the sunnier major mode. The second movement presents its ohso elegant galanterie in rondo form in which a central reprise alternates with several contrasting episodes.
Sonata No. 1 in A, Op. 13 (1877) GABRIEL FAURÉ (1845–1927)
We may thank mezzo-soprano Pauline Viardot for Gabriel Fauré’s exquisite A Major violin sonata. One of the 19th century’s uncontested grand divas, she was also an impressively well-rounded musician who ran a Paris salon that attracted the best and the brightest. The young Fauré became a Viardot regular as of the 1870s, and it was there that he met her son Paul, a superb violinist who, for a while, looked to become Fauré’s brotherin-law. (That didn’t work out.)
Paul Viardot is the dedicatee of the Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Fauré’s first important chamber work and to this day one of his most frequently-performed and admired compositions. The piece had a rocky start, however. Fauré
had trouble getting it published, and was eventually obliged to settle for a situation in which the publisher maintained the copyright and therefore took whatever royalties accrued. Even though the sonata had been a success at its 1877 premiere, it appears that the publishers were taken aback by its blend of ancient and modern; not only does it make use of the ecclesiastical modes of medieval and Renaissance music, but it also displays a neo-Classical reserve that would have been alien to an era of big-boned, hyper-emotive outpourings.
The Fauré A Major sonata may well owe some of its relatively modernist tendencies to Wagner and Liszt, both fearless about stretching the limits of tonality and borrowing idioms from alternate musical sources. Its shimmering first movement dispenses with any introductory material and launches itself into a meticulous sonataallegro form with aristocratic finesse. The introverted and reflective slow movement, in the ‘dark’ key of D minor, invokes wisps of a languid waltz, or perhaps a sleepy barcarolle. In third place comes a downright scamper of a scherzo, fleet-footed and elfin, but with an ever-so melancholy mid-place trio. To conclude, Fauré offers a sweetly rippling rondo that somehow manages to be simultaneously virtuosic and restrained, its perfect balance a virtual musical handprint for this most quintessentially French of composers.
Chausson belongs to a select group of composers such as Corelli and Ravel whose painstaking craftsmanship mandated a limited output. He also belongs to a considerably larger and gloomier group of composers, those who died too young to realize their full potential, among them Purcell, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Bizet, Guillaume Lekeu, and Lili Boulanger. But Chausson did manage to pack quite a lot into his 44 years before his demise in a bicycling accident.
He can be thought of as a ‘bridge’ composer whose style connects late French romanticism with Debussyean modernism. In particular he was attached to his teacher César Franck, and to that end he created in his Symphony in B-flat one of the finest examples of the so-called “Franck School” of symphonic construction via organically evolving melodic figures.
Chausson originally gave his Poème the subtitle of “La chant de l’amour triumphant,” taken from a novella by Ivan Turgenev, and thereby hangs a tale. Turgenev was part of the Pauline Viardot circle and in fact lived on her estate near Paris. Viardot’s daughter Marianne had been engaged to Gabriel Fauré–also a Viardot regular–but broke that off to marry another man. Turgenev’s novella may well have been inspired by those relationships, and thus Chausson’s Poème, like the Fauré
A Major sonata, got its start in the Viardot salon.
But Chausson removed the subtitle once his intentions focused on a fully abstract composition without an underlying story. He wrote the Poème at what was for him breakneck speed–about three months–for the fine violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, who played the 1896 premiere. The work was a hit from the get-go and has remained solid violin repertory ever since, whether in its original version for violin and orchestra or in Chausson’s own transcription for violin and piano. Dreamy and shot through with an elegant melancholy, it almost seems like a written-out improvisation or free fantasia, despite its meticulous construction.
Schubert will be forever a riddle wrapped in an enigma. He kept to himself for the most part, spent his days hunched over his writing desk, wrote few letters that reveal anything personal, and attracted very little in the way of public or journalistic interest during his alltoo-brief lifetime. Creative volcano he may have been, but if an aura of mystery is essential to our ideal of the Romantic artist, then Schubert embodies that ideal to perfection.
Schubert’s musical personas were many; he was far more than just the gentle tunesmith of Blossom Time myth. Consider his expertise at conjuring up virtuoso
showpieces, of which the dazzling Rondo in B minor, D. 895 is a prime example. After an extended slow introduction filled with pomp and extravagant gestures, the rondo–i.e., a cyclic form in which a recurring reprise alternates with contrasting passages–kicks off a steeplechase for both instruments that darts through a panoply of keys and harmonic twists, finally culminating in an exhilarating sprint to a majormode finish.
Program notes by Andrew Mellor © 2025
“For me, personally, music has been a way to inspire others” – Randall Goosby’s own words sum up perfectly his commitment to being an artist who makes a difference. Signed exclusively to Decca Classics in 2020 at the age of 24, American violinist Randall Goosby is acclaimed for the sensitivity and intensity of his musicianship alongside his determination to make music more inclusive and accessible, as well as bringing the music of under-represented composers to light.
Highlights of Randall Goosby’s 2024/25 season include debut performances with the Chicago Symphony/Sir Mark Elder, the Minnesota Orchestra/Thomas Søndergård, National Arts Centre Orchestra/Alexander Shelley, Montreal Symphony Orchestra/ Dalia Stasevska and Netherlands Radio Philharmonic/Michele Mariotti. He joins the London Philharmonic Orchestra on their U.S. tour led by Edward Gardner.
Goosby returns to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Detroit Symphony and Utah Symphony. He appears in recital across North America and Europe as soloist as well as with the Renaissance Quartet.
Summer 2024 includes Goosby’s debut with the New York Philharmonic with Thomas Wilkins performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, and he returns to Marlboro Music. Previous
engagements have included debut performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra/Andris Nelsons, National Symphony/ Thomas Wilkins, Pittsburgh Symphony/Manfred Honeck, Seattle Symphony and St Louis Symphony both under Christian Reif, a European tour with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra under Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Danish National Radio Symphony/ Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Oslo Philharmonic/Ryan Wigglesworth and Lahti Symphony/Roderick Cox. Goosby made his debuts in South Korea in recital and in Japan with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa/ Kahchun Wong performing Bruch Violin Concerto in G minor. In summer 2023, he made his debut at the Mostly Mozart Festival under Louis Langrée.
In spring 2023, Goosby’s debut concerto album was released for Decca Classics together with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra performing
the violin concertos by Max Bruch and Florence Price. Gramophone Magazine observed: “There’s an honesty and modesty…This playing isn’t dressed to impress but to express.”
Goosby’s first album for Decca, entitled ‘Roots’, is a celebration of African-American music which explores its evolution from the spiritual through to present-day compositions. Collaborating with pianist Zhu Wang, Goosby curated an album paying homage to the pioneering artists that paved the way for him and other artists of colour. It features three worldpremiere recordings of music written by African-American composer Florence Price, and includes works by composers William Grant Still and ColeridgeTaylor Perkinson plus a newly commissioned piece by acclaimed double bassist Xavier Foley, a fellow Sphinx and Young Concert Artists alumnus. “Roots: Deluxe Edition” was released in spring 2024 and features new recordings of music by Carlos Simon, William Grant Still and Florence Price.
Goosby is deeply passionate about inspiring and serving others through education, social engagement and outreach activities. He has enjoyed working with non-profit organizations such as the Opportunity Music Project and Concerts in Motion in New York City, as well as participating in community engagement programs for schools, hospitals and assisted living facilities across the United States. In 22/23 Goosby hosted a residency with the Iris Collective in
Memphis with pianist, Zhu Wang. Together they explore how the students’ family history can relate to music and building community collaboration through narrative and performances.
Randall Goosby was First Prize Winner in the 2018 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. In 2019, he was named the inaugural Robey Artist by Young Classical Artists Trust in partnership with Music Masters in London; and in 2020 he became an Ambassador for Music Masters, a role that sees him mentoring and inspiring students in schools around the United Kingdom. In 2010 he won first prize of the Sphinx Concerto Competition, he is a recipient of Sphinx’s Isaac Stern Award and of a career advancement grant from the Bagby Foundation and of the 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant. An active chamber musician, he has spent his summers studying at the Perlman Music Program, Verbier Festival Academy and Mozarteum Summer Academy among others.
Goosby made his debut with the Jacksonville Symphony at age nine and with the New York Philharmonic on a Young People’s Concert at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall at age 13. A former student of Itzhak Perlman and Catherine Cho, he received his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Artist Diploma degrees from the Juilliard School. He is an alumni of the Perlman Music Program and studied previously with Philippe Quint. He plays the Antonio Stradivarius, Cremona, “ex-Strauss,” 1708 on generous loan from Samsung Foundation of Culture.
Praised as “especially impressive” and “a thoughtful, sensitive performer” who “balanced lyrical warmth and crisp clarity” (Tommasini–The New York Times), pianist Zhu Wang was awarded First Prize in the 2020 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, Gold Medalist at 2024 New Orleans International Piano Competition. Zhu was one of the finalists in the 2019 Clara Haskil International Piano Competition, and prizewinner of 2024 Cleveland International Piano Competition. The world-renowned pianist Fou Ts’ong recognized Zhu as an “excellent pianist with a natural sense of harmony and imagination,” whose sensitive and engaging performances exhibit a remarkable depth of musicianship and poise beyond his age. Zhu’s Carnegie Zankel Hall debut recital made to The New York Times’ “Best of 2021” list.
Recent performances include appearing as soloist with Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New York Youth Symphony at Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium, Columbus, Kansas City, Spokane, Memphis, and Richmond Symphony Orchestras, and solo recital for Hilton Head International Piano Competition. And highlights of the upcoming season include Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Solo recital for Ashmont Hill Chamber Music Series, chamber music concert
with members of Orchestra of St Luke’s at Carnegie Hall, and concert tour in Europe and North America with violinist Randall Goosby in the spring of 2025.
An avid chamber musician, Zhu has appeared on series such as Chamber Music Detroit, Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, Vancouver Recital Society, La Jolla Music Society, Stanford Live, Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, Howland Chamber Music Series, Chesapeake Music, Clarion Concerts, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Zhu is an alum of Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School, Caramoor’s Evnin Rising Stars, Music@Menlo International Program, and he regularly appears in chamber music recitals with violinist Randall Goosby.
A native of Hunan, China, Zhu started learning piano at the age of five. He graduated from Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School and received Gina
Bachauer Scholarship, Mieczyslaw Munz Scholarship, and Mehlin Prize. Zhu is pursuing his Master of Music degree at Juilliard, under the tutelage of Emanuel Ax and Robert McDonald. He gratefully acknowledges the support of the Bagby Foundation for the Musical Arts. Zhu currently lives in New York City with his wife Chloe and their beloved two cats, Chaz and Tùzi.
Co-presented with Philharmonic Society of Orange County
SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2025 | 11AM
LOBBY ACTIVITIES BEGIN AT 10 AM
FAMILY CONCERT BEGINS AT 11 AM
Join us for a free family concert featuring Klezmer/Rock band Mostly Kosher! As part of the Philharmonic Society’s presentation of Violins of Hope, this high-energy performance brings Klezmer music to life—blending centuries-old Jewish folk traditions with a modern flair. Perfect for kids ages 5-12, this 45-minute interactive concert will have the whole family clapping, dancing, and discovering music that tells stories of resilience, hope, and celebration.
And make sure that you arrive early to explore our exciting pre-concert activities, including an interactive instrument experience, arts and crafts, and more!
Tickets are free; reservations are required.
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
A wide variety of wine, beer, soft drinks and freshly prepared snacks will be available before the concert and during intermission in the lobby.
We asked the artist for their favorite drink pick to feature at concessions! The Lychee Martini was selected by Randall Goosby and will be available for purchase before the performance & during intermission.
Pre-order your concessions and skip the line at intermission! Click here
Our mission is to Engage, Educate, and Elevate the Human Spirit
Soka Performing Arts Center strives to elevate humanity through transcendent experiences. Come experience our exquisite acoustics. Come to expand your understanding and appreciation of music. Come to forge community and emotional connections through the shared experience of live music.
Soka Performing Arts Center is located on the beautiful hilltop campus of Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo. Our facility includes the 1,042seat Concert Hall featuring world-class acoustics designed by master acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, designer of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Suntory Hall in Tokyo, among many others. We also have an intimate 350-seat Black Box Theatre that allows for multiple seating configurations including club seating with bistro tables.
More than 750 performances have taken place since the center’s dedication on May 27, 2011. The 2024-25 season marks our thirteenth season presenting first-class programming in our world-class concert hall. We are continuing to expand our programming and outreach with the addition of a Children’s Concert Series and the only Great Pianists Series on the West Coast. From classical and jazz to world and contemporary music, the Soka Performing Arts Center has become a prized space for artists and audiences alike.
We are proud to be the home of the Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra. Our Sundays @ Soka Series with Pacific Symphony continues to be one of our most popular series year after year. Our presentations with other Orange County arts organizations have enabled us to reach further into our community to offer arts education and programming. Our partnership with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County includes our PSOC Series, which brings superlative artists to our stage. We also partner with PSOC for our Outreach Program, bringing over 7,000 school children to Soka Performing Arts Center to experience live performances with outstanding musicians.
With its world-class acoustics and first-class performances, Soka Performing Arts Center is quickly becoming one of the cultural jewels of Orange County.
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ($75,000+)
Dr. Kenneth & Sandra Tokita
Sam* & Lyndie Ersan
CONCERTMASTER ($10,000+)
Ms. Emi Maeda
STAGE CHAMPION ($5000+)
Yoshitomo & Takemi Daido
STAGE BENEFACTOR ($1000+)
Anonymous
OC Chinese Cultural Club
John and Sue Prange
Terumi Saito
Jochen Schumacher
Alex & Sandy Scott
Scott A Shuping
Anson and Marilyn Wong
PLATINUM CLEF ($500+)
Anonymous
Jeffrey Hendrix
Edward D. Jones
Jane A. Lynch
GOLD CLEF ($200+)
Judy Kaufman
Lorraine Leiser
Naomi Uchiyama
SILVER CLEF ($100+)
Renée Bodie
Sam Chang
Masako Inage
Debrah Jiang
Chiharu Nagai
Paul Porto
Thomas Prigorac
Jonia Suri
Joseph Whittaker
BRONZE CLEF ($25+)
Raquel Bruno
Kenneth Hanawa
Ryosuke Iga
Jeannette Pease
Joyce M Wrice
Taro Yamanashi
* Deceased
List current as of 09/26/2024
The Soka Performing Arts Center deeply appreciates the support of its sponsors and donors, and makes every effort to ensure accurate and appropriate recognition. Contact Renée Bodie, General Manager at (949) 480-4821 to make us aware of any error or omission in the foregoing list.
DONATE TO SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Your support helps ensure Soka Performing Arts Center fulfills its purpose: to engage, educate, and elevate the human spirit. Your gift supports the programming of world-class performances, provides transformative educational outreach experiences, and opens the opportunity to build engagement with our community by sharing the joy of live music.
Our subscription and renewal program provides you with even more flexibility in our season packages*. With our enhanced program, you now have the power to curate your very own unique experience.
• 15% Discount for a 3 performance package
• 18% Discount for a 4 performance package
• 20% Discount for a 5+ performance package
*full details online at soka.edu/pac
• Blueport Jazz & Dr. Jim Merod
• Philharmonic Society of Orange County
• Pacific Symphony
• Parnassus Society
Renée Bodie
General Manager & Artistic Director
John Morgan
Box Office Manager
Antoinette Rossman
House Manager/Assistant to the General Manager
Jaime Spataro
Marketing & Communications Manager
Steve Baker
Production Manager
Aadya Agrawal
Stage Manager
Jarmil Maupin
Internal Events Manager
Piano Tuners
Kathy Smith Lead Tuner
Ron Elliott
David Stoneman
David Vanderlip
Website soka.edu/pac
Soka Performing Arts Center resides on the beautiful campus of Soka University of America. We thank the SUA Board of Trustees and the SUA Leadership Council for all of their support.
Stephen S. Dunham, JD | CHAIR
Vice President and General Counsel Emeritus, Pennsylvania State University | Baltimore, Maryland
Tariq Hasan, PhD | VICE CHAIR Chief Executive Officer, SGI-USA | New York, New York
Andrea Bartoli, PhD
President, Sant’Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue | New York, New York
Matilda Buck
Benefactor | Los Angeles, California
Lawrence E. Carter, Sr, PhD, DD, DH, DRS Dean, Professor of Religion, College Archivist and Curator, Morehouse College | Atlanta, Georgia
Andy Firoved CEO, HOTB Software | Irvine, California
Jason Goulah, PhD
Professor of Bilingual-Bicultural Education and Director, Institute for Daisaku Ikeda Studies in Education, Director of Programs in Bilingual-Bicultural Education, World Language Education, and Value-Creating Education for Global Citizenship, College of Education, DePaul University | Chicago, Illinois
Clothilde V. Hewlett, JD Commissioner of Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, State of California | San Francisco, California
Karen Lewis, PhD
Sondheimer Professor of International Finance and Co-Director, Weiss Center for International Financial Research, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Luis Nieves
Founder, Chairman Emeritus AUL Corp, Benefactor | Napa, California
Isabel Nuñez, PhD, MPhil, JD Professor of Educational Studies, Dean of School of Education, Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, Indiana
Gene Marie O’Connell, RN, MS Health Care Consultant, Associate Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing | Corte Madera, California
Adin Strauss
General Director, Soka Gakkai International-USA | Santa Monica, California
Yoshiki Tanigawa Benefactor, Soka Gakkai | Tokyo, Japan
Gregg S. Wolpert
Co-president, The Stahl Organization | New York, New York
Edward M. Feasel, PhD President, Soka University of America (ex-officio member) | Aliso Viejo, California
Edward M. Feasel, PhD
President
Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Economics
Archibald E. Asawa
Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Investment Officer
Katherine M. King, PHR
Executive Vice President of University
Community
Chief Human Resources Officer
Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator for Faculty, Staff and Others
Michael Weiner, PhD
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of East Asian History & International Studies
Bryan E. Penprase, PhD
Vice President for Sponsored Research and External Academic Relations Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Tomoko Takahashi, PhD, EdD, LHD
Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment
Dean of the Graduate School Professor of Linguistics and Education
David Welch, JD Vice President University Counsel
M. Robert Hamersley, PhD Dean of Faculty Professor of Environmental Biogeochemistry
Hyon J. Moon, EdD Dean of Students
Title IX and Section 504 Deputy Coordinator for Students
Michelle Hobby-Mears, MBA Associate Dean of Students Director of Student Activities
Andrew Woolsey, EdD Dean of Enrollment Services
Martin Beck, MA Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County gratefully acknowledges the following donors for their generous support of the Fund for Music during the past twelve months. These contributions make up the difference between the income generated from ticket sales and the actual cost of bringing the world’s finest orchestras, soloists and chamber ensembles to Orange County and inspiring 100,000 K-12 students each year with quality music programs. Gifts range from $70 to more than $100,000, and each member of the Philharmonic Society plays a valuable role in furthering the mission of this organization.
Bluebird Legacy Inc.
Chapman University
The Committees of the Philharmonic Society
The Crean Foundation
The Davisson Family Fund for Youth Music Education
The William Gillespie Foundation
SERIES SPONSORS
Donna L. Kendall Foundation
Hearst Foundation
Thomas J. Madracki Memorial Endowment
Orange County Community Foundation
Pacific Life Foundation
U.S. Bank
Anonymous
Dr. and Mrs. Howard Jelinek/Jelinek Family Trust, Eclectic Orange Series
Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation
Steven M. Sorenson Foundation
FOUNDER’S SOCIETY ($100,000+)
The Committees of the Philharmonic Society
Donna L. Kendall and the Donna L. Kendall Foundation
Dr. Howard Jelinek/Jelinek Family Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Kohl
MAESTRO SOCIETY ($50,000+)
Douglas Burch Classical Programs Fund
Margaret M. Gates
Elaine and Carl Neuss
The Segerstrom Foundation
CHAIRMAN’S SOCIETY ($25,000+)
Bluebird Legacy, Inc.
Colburn Foundation
The Crean Foundation
Mr. John D. Flemming and Mr. Mark Powell
Valerie and Hans Imhof
Carolyn and Bill Klein
Philip N. and Mary A. Lyons
Lauren and Richard Packard
PRESIDENT’S SOCIETY ($10,000+)
John Chimo Arnold
Peter Bordas
Mr. James J. Brophy
Suzanne and David Chonette
City of Laguna Beach
Marjorie and Roger Davisson
The Dirk Family
Karen and Don Evarts
Hung Fan and Michael Feldman
Mrs. Jean Felder
Mrs. Joanne C. Fernbach
Frome Family Foundation
Ms. Joan Halvajian
Nadler Survivors Trust
Philharmonic Foundation
Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation
Elizabeth Segerstrom
Maria Manetti Shrem
Jane Fujishige Yada
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Podlich
Gail and Robert Sebring
Ms. Dea Stanuszek
Robert E. and Marjorie R. Rawlins
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Dr. Bob and Mao Shillman
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Al Spector and Tatjana Soli
U.S. Bank
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Charles and Ling Zhang
Milli Hill
David and Michelle Horowitz
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Elizabeth and Justus
Schlichting
Ellen and Vasily I. Semeniuta
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Edward and Anna Yeung
PLATINUM BATON ($6,000+)
France and Dr. Richard D. Campbell
Lauren and Cor Claus
Gerrit and Amy Cole Foundation
Pamela and Alexander Munro
GOLDEN BATON ($3,000+)
John W. Benecke and Lee Marino
Barbara and Robert Boies
Mr. James Carter
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clemmer
Patricia K. Duffie Living Trust
Mr. Gilbert Gluck and Mrs. Catherine A. Bradley
SILVER BATON ($1,200+)
Dr. and Mrs. Donald R. Abrahm
Charlotte W. and Richard D. Alexande
C. David Anderson
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Barnes
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Chino
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Fowler
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Gow
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Jane and Joe Hanauer
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Robin L. Huffman
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Huss
Western Allied
Corporation
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Alta Bahia Philharmonic Committee
Buck and Suzanne Baird
Charlene Bauer
Robert Braun
Mr. Scott Brinkerhoff
Gail Brooks
Mr. and Mrs. Tyke
Camaras
Luisa Cano
Beverly and Dave
Carmichael
Mr. and Mrs. Gustave S. Chabre
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Chamberlain Jr.
Mary E. Chelius
Mr. Randall K. Chun
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar
Compton
Peter Conlon and Deborah Shaw
Gordon Cowan
Mrs. Frayda Eilbert
Mitch Farber-Netbilling
Mr. and Mrs. Donald French
Jeanie Gibson
Marvin Goecks, Jr.
Dr. Alan L. Goldin
Sandra and Jerome Harlan
Howard and Carol Hay
Pamela Hoffman
Ms. and Mr. Delores
Holte
Mr. and Mrs. Dan
Horgan
Ms. and Mr. Julie Huniu
Seth Johnson
Irvine Integrative Medical Center
Elizabeth M. and Donald P. Johnson
Ms. Sumie Jossi
Kenneth and Janis
Kaplan
Dr. and Mrs. William P.
Klein
Professor and Mrs. John Koshak
Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Kriz
Dr. and Mrs. Craig
Frieda Belinfante, in memoriam
Jane K. Grier, in memoriam
John M. Rau
Leonard
MacGillivray Freeman
Films Dr. Lani and Mr.
David Martin
Leslie and Gus Ordonez
Linda Owen
Angela and David Pak
Perry Family Fund
Sidney and Nancy
Petersen
John Pettit
Dr. and Mrs. William G.
Preston M.D.
Coralie Prince
Mr. and Ms. Peter T.
Ridley
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen G.
Romansky
Deborah and Frank
Rugani
Suzanne Sandmeyer and Wes Hatfield
Paul Schmidhauser and Cindy Hughes
Ms. Barbara Sentell
Patricia Smoot
Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Stempson
Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Tennyson
Ms. Carole Uhlaner and Mr. D Brownstone
Margaret and Timothy
Van Eck
Dr. Mark Wohlgemuth
Mr. Leonard Wyss
Bob and Ellie Yates
List current as of 10/16/2024
The Philharmonic Society deeply appreciates the support of its sponsors and donors, and makes every effort to ensure accurate and appropriate recognition. Contact the Development Department at (949) 553-2422, ext. 233, to make us aware of any error or omission in the foregoing list.
The Philharmonic Society is proud to recognize our dedicated patrons who have made a multi-year Esterhazy Patron pledge. We are grateful for their support, which has been largely responsible for enabling us to present the world’s most acclaimed symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists.
Mr. James Alexiou
Mr. & Mrs. Darrel Anderson
A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation
Mr. Gary N. Babick
Ms. Tricia Babick
Mrs. Linda Beimfohr
Mr. & Mrs. John Carson
Cheng Family Foundation
Mrs. William P. Conlin
Mr. Warren G. Coy
Marjorie & Roger Davisson
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Delman
The Dirk Family
Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Duma
Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Emery
Catherine Emmi
Mr. James Alexiou & Mrs.
Elaine Alexiou*
Dr. & Mrs. Julio Aljure
Diane* & John Chimo
Arnold
Estate of Edra E. Brophy*
Mr. James J. Brophy
Mr. Douglas T. Burch, Jr.*
Mr. William P. Conlin* & Mrs. Laila Conlin
Pamela Courtial*
Richard Cullen & Robert Finnerty
Mr. Ben Dolson*
Camille & Eric Durand Trust*
Karen & Don Evarts
Erika E. Faust*
James & Judy Freimuth
Ms. Carol Frobish*
Lyndie Ersan
Mr. & Mrs. Howard Freedland
Margaret M. GatesIn memory of family
Mr. Milton S. Grier, Jr.
Maralou Harrington
Dr. Howard J. Jelinek
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Chapin
Johnson
Dr. Siret Jurison
Donna L. Kendall
Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Venelin Khristov
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Kirwan
Capt. Steve Lutz & Shala
Shashani Lutz
Professor Robert & Dr. Adeline Yen Mah
Mrs. Sharon McNalley
Dr. Vahe Meghrouni
Mrs. Michael D. Nadler
Elaine & Carl Neuss
Mr. Thomas Nielsen
Milena & Milan Panic
Helen Reinsch
Barbara Roberts
Mrs. Michelle Rohé
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen L. Salyer
Elizabeth Segerstrom
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas H. Smith
Mrs. Elaine Weinberg
Mr. & Mrs. George Wentworth
Bobbitt & Bill Williams
Anonymous
The William Gillespie Foundation*
Mr. & Mrs.* Milton S. Grier, Jr.
Mr. Edward Halvajian*
Ms. Joan Halvajian
Ms. Marie Hiebsch*
Mildred & James* Hill
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Hull*
Mr. Leonard Jaffe
Judith* & Howard Jelinek
Dr. Burton L. Karson*
Donna L. Kendall
Hank & Bonnie Landsberg
Mrs. Carla Liggett
Dr. William Lycette
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Michel
Mr. & Mrs. Bart Morrow
Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. Nadler*
Eva Cebulski Olivier
*Deceased | Bold type indicates gifts of $50,000 or more.
Mrs. Frank M. Posch*
Marcia Kay Radelet
Marjorie Rawlins*
Mrs. Ladislaw Reday*
Elaine M. Redfield*
Mr. Richard M. Reinsch*
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen L. Salyer
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sebring
John Jacob Shaak
Mr. H. Russell Smith*
Al Spector & Tatjana Soli
Ms. Dea Stanuszek
Diane & Michael Stephens
Vas Nunes Family Trust*
Betty M. Williams*
Anonymous
Please call the Philharmonic Society Development Department if you have included either the Philharmonic Society or the separate Philharmonic Foundation in your will or trust so that we may honor you as a member of the Legacy Circle. For more information, call (949) 553-2422, ext. 233 or visit: www.PhilharmonicSociety.org/SupportUs and click on Secure The Future.
The Philharmonic Society’s Philharmonic Forward campaign is the first of its kind in the organization’s history. It will grow the Society’s endowment—providing greater opportunities for the presentation of the world’s leading orchestras and other musical performances while expanding our educational and community outreach—and also establish a current needs fund for organizational sustainability and flexibility. We are proud to recognize those who are helping secure the Society’s future with a gift to the Philharmonic Forward Campaign. We are grateful for their support, which will help fuel the Society’s growth and provide a legacy of incomparable music and superb music education programs in perpetuity.
For more information, contact Halim Kim, Senior Director of Development, at (949) 553-2422, ext. 233 or email halim@philharmonicsociety.org.
Co-Chairs
Donna L. Kendall & Douglas H. Smith
$1,000,000+
Mr. James J. Brophy
Donna L. Kendall & the Donna L. Kendall Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sebring Anonymous
$500,000+
Richard Cullen & Robert Finnerty
James & Judy Freimuth
$250,000+
The Davisson Family Fund for Youth Music Education
Margaret M. GatesIn memory of family
Mr. & Mrs.* Milton S. Grier, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas H. Smith
LEAVE A LEGACY SECURING THE FUTURE
$100,000+
Pete & Sabra* Bordas
David & Suzanne Chonette
Karen & Don Evarts
Milli & Jim* Hill
Chris & Marlene Nielsen
Richard* & Deborah Polonsky
Diane & Michael Stephens Anonymous
$50,000+
Mr. Douglas T. Burch, Jr.*
Dr. Richard D. & France
Campbell
Erika E. Faust*
Mrs. Joanne C. Fernbach
Joan Halvajian
Elaine & Carl Neuss
Marcia Kay Radelet
Mr. & Mrs. Philip E. Ridout
Ms. Dea Stanuszek
Dr. Daniel & Jeule Stein
$25,000+ Douglas Burch Classical Programs Fund
Mr. William P. Conlin* & Mrs. Laila Conlin
Mr. & Mrs. Donald French
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Fuerbringer
Mr. & Mrs. Noel Hamilton
Dr. & Mrs. Chase* Roh
Up to $24,999
Eleanor & Jim* Anderson
John W. Benecke
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Burra
Ana & Ron Dufault
Hung Fan & Michael Feldman
First American Trust
Kimberly Dwan Bernatz
Mr. John D. Flemming & Mr. Mark Powell
Duke Funderburke
Carolyn & John Garrett
Karin Easter Gurwell
Maralou & Jerry M.* Harrington
Mrs. Alice E. Hood
Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee - Marina Windjammer Group
Kevin & Judith Ivey
Ms. Lula Belle Jenkins
Doris & Jim Kollias
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Kramer
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Lewis
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Madracki
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Mastrangelo
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Michel
Charles Mosmann
Carl Neisser*
Joan Rehnborg
Dr. & Mrs. Henry Sobel
Dr. & Mrs. Julio Taleisnik
Marti & Walter Unger
Gayle Widyolar, M.D.
Sandi Wright-Cordes
U.S. Bank
Anonymous *Deceased
Estate gifts allow our long-time subscribers and donors to leave an enduring legacy that helps ensure the long-term financial strength of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Please consider including us in your will, as either a percentage of your estate or a fixed amount. Doing so will support our commitment of presenting world-class programming and music education that enriches the cultural life of Orange County for generations to come.
For more information, please contact (949) 553-2422, ext. 233, or email support@philharmonicsociety.org
Founded in 1954 as Orange County’s first music organization, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County presents national and international performances of the highest quality and provides dynamic and innovative music education programs for individuals of all ages to enhance the lives of Orange County audiences through music.
For more 70 years the Philharmonic Society has evolved and grown with the county’s changing landscape, presenting artists and orchestras who set the standard for artistic achievement from Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Yo-Yo Ma, and Renée Fleming to the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and many others. In addition, the Philharmonic Society celebrates multi-disciplinary performances under its Eclectic Orange brand and embraces music from a wide range of countries with its World Music performances. Its celebrated family concerts introduce children to classical music with creative and inspiring performances, instilling music appreciation for future generations.
The Philharmonic Society’s nationally recognized Youth Music Education Programs, offered free of charge, engage more than 100,000 students annually through curriculum-based music education programs that aim to inspire, expand imaginations, and encourage learning at all levels. These programs are made possible by the Committees of the Philharmonic Society comprised of 500 volunteer members who provide more than 90,000 hours of inkind service each year.
As a key youth program, the exceptional Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble provide top-tier training to the area’s most talented young musicians through multi-level ensemble instruction, leadership training, touring opportunities, challenging professional repertoire, and performances in world-class venues. The Philharmonic Society also promotes life-long learning by connecting with colleges and universities to conduct masterclasses and workshops and providing pre-concert lectures to introduce audiences to program selections.
PHONE 949.553.2422
ONLINE philharmonicsociety.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Elaine Neuss, Chair/CEO*
John Flemming, Deputy Board Chair*
Donna L. Kendall, Vice Chair*
Stephen Amendt, Secretary/Treasurer*
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kathy Barrett, President-Elect, The Committees
John W. Benecke, Special Events Chair
Lauren Claus, President, The Committees*
Hung Fan, Laguna Beach Music Festival Chair
Jean Felder, Artistic and Marketing Chair
John Flemming, Nominating & Governance
Margaret M. Gates, Development Chair
Kari Kerr
Mirella Reznic
June Shillman
Douglas H. Smith, Member at Large*
Steven M. Sorenson, MD
Sandi Wright-Cordes, Orange County Youth
Symphony Chair
IN MEMORIAM
Sabra Bordas
Douglas T. Burch, Jr.
Jane Grier
*Executive Committee
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
PRESIDENT AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Tommy Phillips
ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
Emily Persinko, Artistic Operations Manager
Hana Kurihana, Concert Production Coordinator
Kathy Smith, Piano Technician
DEVELOPMENT
Halim Kim, Senior Director of Development
Zach Edwards, Board Liason and Development Coordinator
EDUCATION
Katherine Yang, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement
Courtney McKinnon, Manager of Volunteer and Education Services
Jennifer Niedringhaus, Education and Engagement Operations Manager
Chloe Hopper, Education Associate & OCYS Coordinator
Penny Arroyo, Huntington Harbour Office Manager and Finance Coordinator
Kathryn Lau, Education and Community Engagement Intern
FINANCE
Roan Alombro, Vice President of Finance
Fay Hu, Finance and HR Associate
MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Jean Hsu, COO / Vice President of Communications
Marie Songco-Torres, Senior Marketing & PR Manager
Adaora Onyebeke, Marketing and PR Associate
PATRON SERVICES
Jonathan Mariott, Director of Patron Services
Angelica Nicolas, Marketing & Patron Services Manager
Randy Polevoi, Musical Concierge
ORANGE COUNTY YOUTH SYMPHONY AND STRING ENSEMBLE
Johannes Müller Stosch, Music Director & OCYS Conductor
Lucy Lu, OCYSE Conductor & OCYS Strings Coach
Danielle Culhane, Operations and Personnel Manager