In Wednesday’s (6/19) Napa Valley Register (California), Sasha Paulsen writes that a new orchestra is being formed to replace the Napa Valley Symphony, which ceased operation in March 2012. “Symphony Napa Valley, created as part of the new Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater, makes its debut Sept. 21 with a concert and gala. Ming Luke, who was director for the Napa Valley Youth Symphony from 2004 to 2013, will serve as music director for the new musical entity…. The organizers had spent months on planning and research before announcing the new symphony, [Luke] said.… ‘We were trying to figure out how to create something sustainable.’ This included studying the structure and schedules of similar regional symphonies like the Berkeley Symphony and the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra. The inaugural season of Symphony Napa Valley will present three classical concerts, a pops concert and two educational concerts.” Symphony Napa Valley will have about 70 members, and will also run a new post-graduate Orchestra Institute Napa Valley Fellowship program. Ten fellows are set to arrive in August, where they will “live in the Napa Valley year-round to play in the orchestra, receive much professional development from Lincoln Theater and serve as ‘arts ambassadors’ to arts organizations throughout the valley … in addition to being musicians in residence of the Lincoln Theater.’ ”
Posted June 20, 2013
