Orchestra Season

The Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra enters its 2023-2024 under the direction of Alexander Kahn. Four exciting concerts are planned throughout the year with special guest performers to include:

  • SSU Brass Ensemble, Dan Norris, conductor 
  • Jason Whitney, soloist and 2023 Concerto Competition winner
  • Young People's Chamber Orchestra
  • Valley Vibes Youth Orchestra
  • Santa Rosa Symphony Youth
  • Charlie Whitaker, soloist and 2023 Concerto Competition winner

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Johannes Brahms in Black and White

Symphony Orchestra: Season Opener

Weill Hall, Green Music Center

Please join us for our opening concert of the 2023-24 concert season! The concert opens with a performance of Sibelius' Little Suite by the SSU Brass Ensemble, under the direction of Dan Norris. Next it's on to the Gordon Jacob Concerto for Horn and Strings, featuring soloist and 2023 Concerto Competition winner Jason Whitney. After the intermission we will proudly present Brahms Symphony No. 4, a towering achievement of late-Romantic symphonic writing.

Jean Sibelius, Little Suite (SSU Brass Ensemble, Dan Norris, conductor) Gordon Jacob, Concerto for Horn and Strings (Jason Whitney, soloist and 2023 Concerto Competition winner) Johannes Brahms,...View Event Details

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Old, dusty wine bottles

Symphony Orchestra: New Wine in Old Bottles – Side by Side with Young People's Chamber Orchestra

Weill Hall, Green Music Center

Handel, Overture to Agrippina (YPCO only) Márton Levente Horvath, Arcus for string orchestra (2019) (YPCO only) Ernest Bloch, Concerto Grosso no. 2 for string quartet and strings (collaboration) Michael Abels, Delights and Dances (2010) (collaboration) Stravinsky, Pulcinella Suite (SSU only)

Soloists Tammie Dyer, violin Anna Washburn, violin Aaron Westman, viola Alexa Haynes-Pilon on celloView Event Details

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Orchestral conducting workshop in Weill Hall

Orchestra Conducting Workshop

Schroeder Hall

January 16–18, 2024 Green Music Center Sonoma State University

Workshop Overview

This workshop, led by world-renowned conducting pedagogue Markand Thakar , focuses on developing essential physical control and building musical understanding. Participants will work with the Vintner's Chamber Orchestra - Sonoma County’s professional string orchestra - on the following repertoire:

Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (K. 525)

Elgar, Serenade for Strings

Holst, St. Paul Suite

All ensemble sessions will be captured on digital video, which Fellows are free to use without...View Event Details

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Jomei Greer sitting and playing at the piano

SSU Concerto Competition

Schroeder Hall
The Ninth Annual Sonoma State University Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition will take place on Sunday, April 7, at 7:30pm in Schroeder Hall.

How to Apply to the Concerto Competition

In consultation with your private teacher, please fill out the Concerto Competition Application Form and submit it to Dr. Kahn via email by Friday, March 1, 2024, at 5pm. Participants should provide 1 copy of the score (piano reduction acceptable) to Dr. Kahn along with their application form, in the form of a pdf attachment or a link to an online score.

...View Event Details

Saturday, April 27, 2024

United States flag blowing in the wind

Symphony Orchestra Season Finale: Perspectives on America

Weill Hall, Green Music Center

Student composition winner TBD Aaron Copland, Old American Songs (Charlie Whitaker, soloist and 2023 Concerto Competition winner) Aaron Copland, Appalachian Spring Suite Valerie Coleman, Umoja View Event Details