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Conductor Search Update… Coming Very Soon…

Introducing Our Outstanding Finalists

In 2013, after forming a search committee with representatives from the Chico and Redding Boards, Guild and League, CSU Chico and NSS Musicians, the process of evaluating over 40 applications ensued. Through the winter and late spring of 2014 and with broad committee consensus, the list was reduced to the four dynamic, accomplished finalists presented here. We look forward to experiencing their artistry as guest conductors and further evaluating them over the course of the 2014–2015 North State Symphony Season. The name of the new Music Director/Conductor will be announced in late spring or early summer 2015.
—Professor Joseph M. Alexander, Associate Dean, College of Humanities & Fine Arts, CSU, Chico

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Christian Baldini

Christian Baldini has conducted many international orchestras and ensembles, and is also a composer. A CD recording (Mozart Arias and Overtures) conducting the Scottish Chamber Orchestra will be released in 2014 on Linn Records. He conducted Brahms’ First Symphony, which he will conduct with NSS, with Brazil’s Sao Paolo Symphony...
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Brian Stone

Prize-winning conductor and award-winning teacher Brian Stone has worked with professional orchestras in nine states and five countries, as well as students at the University of Delaware and elsewhere. In a decade as director of the University of Delaware Orchestras, Stone developed a three-ensemble area of orchestral activities that doubled the enrollment, tripled the number of performances, and quadrupled the audience attendance...
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Scott Seaton

Conductor Scott Seaton is in increasing demand on the international level.  He has been praised as a conductor with "finesse, clarity, and precision” by the Luxembourg Times and has left audiences “breathless” according to Entertainment News Northwest. Seaton is beginning his third season as Music Director of the Minot (North Dakota Symphony Orchestra...
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Peter Jaffe

Peter Jaffe has served as music director of the Stockton Symphony since 1995 and the Auburn Symphony since 2012; he has also recently been appointed music director for the Folsom Symphony. Mr. Jaffe has spearheaded the commissions of several world premieres— a portion of the Stockton Symphony CD of Chris Brubeck’s Mark Twain’s World was broadcast nationally on NPR’s Performance Today...
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See You at the Prelude Party in Chico!

Kick Off the New Season with the Symphony!

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Sunday, September 14, 2014
6pm ~ 8pm
Tickets: $30 advance; $35 at the door

Come enjoy an evening with friends at a delightful Chico garden party benefiting the North State Symphony and previewing the new concert season. Mingle with NSS musicians and our audience members and supporters.

Download the Prelude Party invitation (PDF)

Purchase tickets online HERE

Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 530-898-5984

Featuring:

  • Wine, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts
  • Music by North State Symphony musicians

“Smart Casual” attire, please

The annual Prelude Party is the traditional start to symphony seasons in Chico, and a fine way to learn more about the Symphony and the Guild, which welcomes inquiries about membership at the party.

Cheers!

 

Our Monca Partnership

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North State Symphony has partnered with monca (Museum of Northern California Art) to use visual art from the museum’s permanent collection for the 2014–15 season. Featuring these works of art adds another dimension to this season's journey of discovery.

We enjoy our partnership with monca as we both share a vision to sustain a strong culture of the arts in the North State.

Their vision is to "be a vehicle for communities in the region to experience and create art for the sake of enjoyment, expression, social cohesion, innovation and communication. The museum will improve public perception of art by creating vital educational programs that inspire enthusiasm and increase the quality of life for artists, art enthusiasts and the public at large."

With a twenty year lease on the Veterans Memorial Hall on the Esplanade, the museum is currently in the midst of a Transformation/Renovation Building Campaign to raise $500,000 for transforming an elegant 1927 Classical Revival building into a creatively designed art museum for the entire North State. The first phase of development will include four large exhibition spaces, a grand reception foyer and spaces for educational outreach, a gift shop and small cafe. We encourage you to join monca with your support in as many ways as possible to help them reach their opening date of spring 2016.

Thank you monca!

Learn more about the plans for monca's new home at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Chico.

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Visit the monca Website

Meet Ryan Kuster, September Guest Artist

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Bass-Baritone Ryan Kuster has gained vast attention on the west coast for his accolades in San Francisco, where he recently completed a two year residency and over 80 performances in the prestigious Adler Fellowship Program of San Francisco Opera. His performance as Escamillo in their production of Carmen was called “pure bravado.” The Classical Voice said of his performance as Masetto in Don Giovanni, “Handsome Ryan Kuster sang beautifully, and acted so convincingly that it was hard to believe he’s an Adler Fellow.”

In 2012, Kuster made his symphonic debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic singing the role of Masetto in their highly acclaimed production of Don Giovanni, directed by Christopher Alden, with costumes by Rodarte, and led by Mo. Dudamel.  In addition, he returned to Wolf Trap Opera to debut the title role of Don Giovanni and made his National Symphony debut performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Up next, Ryan will sing Angelotti in Tosca with Madison Opera, Colline in La Boheme with Arizona Opera, and Escamillo in Carmen with both Opera Colorado (company debut) and Virginia Opera.