The San Luis Obispo Symphony proudly presents their return to the stage and 60th anniversary season, including five main concerts at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo, two special outdoor concerts, and a collaborative concert with the SLO International Film Festival. All concerts will be conducted by Music Director Andrew Sewell. The five main concerts are available exclusively in subscription packages, ranging from $295 to $445 per person, through September 15. To subscribe to the season call (805) 543-3533 or visit the Symphony office at 75 Higuera Street, Suite 160, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pre-concert “Symphonic Foray” talks are sponsored by Ursula and Mike Fitzgerald, and free “No Ties Allowed” open dress rehearsals are sponsored by Ann Shaw and Charles Boccadoro. The season is made possible in part by support from the The Clifton Swanson PAC Community Access Fund, the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County, the City of San Luis Obispo, The Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust, the Henry W. Bull Foundation, Chevron, Gordon’s Floral Design, Harvey’s Honey Huts, and individual contributors.
Opening this extraordinary season is a special pops concert at Sinsheimer Stadium, on August 14, 2021, at 7 p.m., sponsored in part by the Monday Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo. Concertmaster Emily Lanzone is featured in Gliere’s Phoenix from The Red Poppy Suite. Colin Guan will perform the first movement from Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor. This family-friendly program also includes works by John Williams – his Summon the Heroes, ET, and Raiders of the Lost Arc – as well as John Phillip Sousa’s Washington Post March. Tickets are $25 general admission and $40 for VIPs – including early entrance and a swag bag, available at slosymphony.org. The program is approximately one hour without an intermission. Sinsheimer Stadium is located in Sinsheimer Park, on Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo
The Symphony’s return to the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo also kicks off the Central Coast Coalition of Arts Leaders’ Return to Stage Festival on October 2, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. Featured soloists are Principal Clarinet Richard Dobeck (San Luis Obispo) and Principal Bassoon Lisa Nauful (Arroyo Grande). Repertoire includes Strut by Michael Daugherty (from 1989), Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon by Carl Stamitz, and Symphony No. 6 in F, the Pastoral, by Beethoven. The concert is sponsored by Minke Winkler Prins, Jim and Beverly Smith, and Kathryn and Brendan McAdams.
Closing the Festival, the Symphony will collaborate with the SLO International Film Festival in a special program, not included in the season subscription package, featuring Kurt Weill’s Lady in the Dark Symphonic Nocturne (arranged by Robert Russell Bennett), Miklos Rozsa’s The Lost Weekend Suite, Steiner’s Suite from Casablanca, and Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera selections, followed by a feature film to be announced by SLO International Film Festival. Tickets are available exclusively through the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo’s box office. The Return to Stage Festival is made possible by support from the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County.
Just in time for Veteran’s Day, American Showcase features Principal Bass Ken Hustad (Morro Bay), on Saturday November 13, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Repertoire in this upbeat program includes Siwe’s Duet for Snare Drum and Timpani, Benson’s Three Pieces for Percussion Quartet, Hovanhess’ Bacchanale, Montgomery’s Strum String Quartet, Coleman’s Tzigane for Wind Quintet, Banfield’s Symphony No. 6, Four Songs for Five American Voices, Ellington/Strayhorn’s Nutcracker Suite, and a work by local composer Stefan Podell (Arroyo Grande) – Concerto for Double Bass. Podell is a Billboard and VH-1 award winner, and composer and arranger for noted artists including Jason Mraz, Styx, Jon Anderson of YES, Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge, and Jefferson Starship. His work has been performed by professional orchestras and youth ensembles nationally and worldwide. This concert is sponsored by Melinda and Jim Avila, Mary and Thomas Tanner, and Roger and Jan Verity.
On February 5, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., Sound the Trumpet brings noted soloist Andrew Balio, Principal Trumpet of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, joining the SLO Symphony for a program including Ewald’s Quintet No. 1 in B Flat Minor, Morris’ Motion for Wind Quartet, Wilder’s Octets, Neruda’s Concerto for Trumpet in E Flat, Strauss’ Serenade in E Flat, and Tomasi’s Concerto for Trumpet in C, sponsored by Len Jarrott.
Celebrating Our Artists on March 5, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., includes the SLO Youth Symphony and highlights SLO Symphony musicians Concertmaster Emily Lanzone (Los Osos), Principal Second Violin Timothy Shanks (San Luis Obispo), Oboe Heidi Butterfield (Nipomo), Principal Oboe and English Horn Jessica Hoffman (San Luis Obispo), and Principal Flute Marley Eder (Los Angeles), performing Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, Cowell’s Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 10, Farrenc’s Nonet in E Flat, Honegger’s Sonata da Camera for Flute, English Horn, and Strings, and Warlock’s Capriol Suite, sponsored by Jeff and Melodee Brady.
On May 14, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., French virtuoso violinist Gilles Apap (Arroyo Grande) joins SLO Symphony for a popular program of classical favorites, including Brahms’ Serenade No. 1 in D, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G Minor. Gilles is known for his unique approach to music, delivering distinctive performances of the standard classical repertoire combined with genres such as jazz and folk from around the world. This concert is sponsored by Peggy Lance Little, and Thomas Miller and Pam Dassenko.
While unable to hold traditional concerts during COVID, SLO Symphony adapted its offerings to accommodate socially-distanced virtual concerts. In order to continue offering a flexible option for those who prefer to listen from home, or those out of the area, audience members may purchase the virtual season (the five main 2021-22 concerts) for $75, and view each program on-demand, a week after each performance date, on Vimeo at vimeo.com/ondemand/slosymphony.
The SLO Youth Symphony will hold auditions in late August, and will present two concerts this season, on Monday, November 22, 2021 (venue to be announced), and Sunday, May 22, 2022 at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $10 general admission and will be available at slosymphony.org, by calling (805) 543-3533, and at the Symphony office. SLO Youth Symphony is supported in part by Susan Polk Insurance, California MENTOR, and the Clifton Swanson PAC Community Access Fund.
Concluding the 60th anniversary season, SLO Symphony revives their beloved Avila Pops by the Sea event on Saturday, September 3, 2022, sponsored by Michael Zigelman and Maurina Kusell, Harvey’s Honey Huts, and Community West Bank. Tickets, tables, and sponsorships will be available in early 2022.
For 60 years, San Luis Obispo Symphony has enhanced the cultural landscape of the Central Coast through music performance and education opportunities. For more, visit slosymphony.org. All dates, times, locations, and artists are subject to change.