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Our History
(by Jennifer Keck, Executive Director)
In July 1987, Monroe DeJarnette, musician and Auburn resident, met Bruce Cosgrove, executive director of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, to discuss a proposal to form a Community Orchestra under the auspices of the Auburn Chamber.
After a series of meetings, a steering committee was formed to develop an orchestra. The committee received Charter Committee status in September 1987 from the Chamber Board of Directors. This committee served through May 1990. On June 1, 1990, the first Symphony Board was elected.
The Steering Committee interviewed for conductors in December 1987, one month prior to the start of rehearsals. Clyde Quick, formerly a Placer High School music teacher, was selected to conduct the new orchestra of 30 members.
The concert premier, entitled The Birth of an Orchestra, took place in the Placer High School Auditorium on May 20, 1988, after a year of preparation. In the following season, attendance increased enough to warrant two concerts. The 1988-1989 season hosted two concerts.
Beginning with the 1989-1990 season, the orchestra performed three concerts plus a Messiah Sing-Along. In addition, a young artist sponsored by the Guild often appeared at the spring concert.
The Auburn Symphony Guild was formed in the fall of 1988. Its function as a support group provided the fledgling symphony with ushers, refreshments, publicity, a young artist competition, and financial support.
Michael Goodwin was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor in 1995. Under his leadership, orchestra membership has grown to nearly 70 musicians, and increased attendance at the concerts prompted the symphony to present each subscription concert twice. The level of the orchestra’s musicianship has risen steadily under maestro Goodwin’s direction. Maestro Goodwin celebrated his 10 th season with the symphony by leading the orchestra’s historic first performance at the new Mondavi Center at UC Davis.
The Auburn Symphony season has grown to include 3 subscription series concerts (each program performed twice), 2 Messiah Sing-Along performances ( Auburn and Rocklin), KinderKonzert, Music on the Green and a performance at the Mondavi Center in Davis. A summer performance at Winchester Country Club has now become a favorite for members. The Senior Outreach program reaches local retirement homes twice a year, the school assembly program reached 14 schools and 5,000 children this past year and the Summer Library program has become a regular event. The Young Artist Competition is held annually, and top competitors and winners are often invited to play with the Auburn Symphony. The Auburn Symphony also continues to sponsor the Auburn Youth Symphony, to encourage the development of young musicians.
In this 20 th anniversary season, the Auburn Symphony has been recognized as one of the best community orchestras in the nation. Guest conductors and guest artists alike continue to marvel at the quality of this orchestra, the result of dedicated, accomplished, musicians who volunteer their time, dynamic program selections and the extraordinary conducting and leadership of maestro Michael Goodwin. It is truly time to Celebrate the Symphony!
Education and Community Programs
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Administration
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CD Sales
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