Stockton Symphony musicians Cathy Ettle, Mike Hernandez, Beth Sanders, and Andrea Hawkes perform at the Spenker Winery in Lodi, California. Photo by Clifford Oto
“The Stockton Symphony has not been allowed to perform inside its home, San Joaquin Delta College’s Atherton Auditorium, since the coronavirus pandemic hit in March,” writes Bob Highfill in Sunday’s (10/25) Record (Stockton, CA). “The symphony has made do to the best of its ability with virtual events and performances, including a town hall meeting on Sept. 8 to celebrate Peter Jaffe’s 25th anniversary as music director. But … nothing compares to a live concert…. On Saturday, Jaffe, symphony board members, donors, patrons and guests enjoyed a performance by a quartet of saxophonists from the Stockton Symphony orchestra at an outdoor pop-up concert hosted by the Spenker family at their winery and goat cheese creamery.… Earlier in the day, the quartet serenaded a symphony patron at his home. ‘We just show up, knock on the door, say thank you and play them 20 minutes of music,’ said Diana Tyler, marketing director for the symphony…. ‘It’s nice to be able to play music live and in person with other real people,’ … said Mike Hernandez, who plays with the symphony, sings with the Stockton Chorale, conducts the Valley Concert Band, and teaches music at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Stockton.”
