2024-25 Season Overview
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Spring into Fall
Saturday September 21, 2024, 7:30pm Hammer Theatre 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose Free Admission/Donations Accepted Suggested Donation $25 Per Adult Program Russian Easter Overture - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Beyond Rituals (World Premiere) - Valeria Pelka Violin Concerto - Jean Sibelius Andrew Sords, Violin Appalachian Spring - Aaron Copland Thomas Alexander and Scott Krijnen, conductors |
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Valeria Pelka began her musical journey as a guitarist in popular music, graduating from the Popular Music School of the Argentine Musicians' Union. In 2009, she ventured into composition and production, releasing her debut album "El tiempo borrará," where she showcased her skills as a composer, vocalist, guitarist, and arranger.
Driven by her love for orchestral music, Valeria pursued a Bachelor's degree in Composition at the National University of the Arts, graduating in September 2023. Her aim is to fuse elements of academic music with Argentine and global popular music, evident in her premieres in the United States, Russia, and Argentina, with upcoming performances scheduled in Spain. Valeria's extensive experience spans over 35 years, during which she explored various popular music genres. She seeks to bridge the gap between popular and academic music, composing pieces inspired by South American rhythms to evolve musical languages beyond traditional boundaries. Ms Pelka served as a jury member at the International Composition Competition "Nueva Música" in St. Petersburg, Russia, and her piece "Dársena Sur" was awarded the 3rd prize in the 1st Provincial Competition of Works for Symphony Orchestra 'Marta Lambertini'. Valeria's compositions provide orchestras and academic programs with opportunities for diverse programming, exploring new forms of expression, and celebrating the cultural richness of the world. |
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American violinist Andrew Sords maintains a prolific touring schedule with both his piano trio and as soloist with orchestras. Having appeared on four continents and in nearly all of the 50 states, his performances have been cited for combining visceral virtuosity and ravishing tone, while international critics have endorsed Sords as “a fully formed artist” (Kalisz-Poland News), “utterly radiant” (Canada’s Arts Forum), and “exceptionally heartfelt and soulful” (St. Maarten’s Daily Herald). In 2018, an appearance at Festival Bravissima in Guatemala was heralded by the Prensa Libre: "Sords demonstrated what it means to be an artist. He paired maximum delicacy with fire and brilliance, and had a subtle handling of sonority - clearly audible even in his softest and sweetest moments." Sords has received numerous awards and distinctions reflecting his career trajectory, including the Pittsburgh Concert Society’s Career Grant; was profiled by NPR's "Morning Edition", XM's "Derek and Romaine Show", and STRINGS Magazine (covering his residency in Trinidad and Tobago); and has recently made débuts for the Ravinia Festival, Québec's Lakeshore Chamber Festival and Hudson's Série de musique de chambre, and with orchestras in Scotland, Australia, the Caribbean, Canada, and Poland. The 2023/24 concert season featured return appearances in Montréal, Beverly Hills, Toronto’s Glenn Gould Theatre, Cleveland’s Trinity Cathedral, the Norton Museum Series in West Palm Beach, and with concerti by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Bruch, Wieniawski, and Bologne.
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The Nutcracker
In collaboration with the San José Dance Theatre December 6-8 and 13-15, 2024 San Jose Center for the Performing Arts Scott Krijnen, conductor and music director Thomas Alexander, conductor Step into a world where dreams come to life and holiday magic fills the air! Prepare to be whisked away by The Original San Jose Nutcracker, an enchanting ballet production that has delighted families for over 59 years. Join us at San Jose Dance Theatre for a timeless journey featuring brave toy soldiers, mesmerizing snowflakes, and the elegance of waltzing flowers. Experience the thrill of a battle between courageous soldiers and mischievous mice, all set against the backdrop of a stunning 60-foot Christmas tree that will leave you breathless. San Jose Dance Theatre is honored to be accompanied by The Cambrian Symphony. Get ready for an unforgettable performance of your favorite holiday classic, The Nutcracker! |
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Stories through Music
Saturday, February 1 at 7:30 PM Hammer Theatre Free Admission/Donations Accepted Suggested Donation $25 Per Adult Catalina Barraza-Gerardino, conductor Katelyn Deng, piano First Place, Piano, Burlingame Music Club Competition Price: The Oak Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1, mvmt. I Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique |
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Catalina Barraza-Gerardino has extensive experience as a professional violinist, orchestral conductor, and pedagogue. She currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Violin/Viola at San José State University. She has recently served as Concertmaster of the New Ballet of San Jose Orchestra and has played with Symphony San Jose and San Jose Chamber Orchestra. An active pedagogue in the Bay Area, Catalina regularly coaches the San Jose Youth Orchestra and the San Jose Youth Chamber Orchestra. Catalina was a lead violin teacher in the Overture Program with the Sphinx Organization, whose mission is to empower black and Latinx communities through music. She holds a doctorate in violin performance from Michigan State University. She pursued her Master in Music at University of Arkansas and her bachelor in music at Javeriana University in Bogota, Colombia.
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American Voices
Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 PM Hammer Theatre Free Admission/Donations Accepted Suggested Donation $25 Per Adult Jelani Canser, conductor Huisun Hong, cello First Place, Strings, Burlingame Music Club Competition Ellington: The River Suite: III. Giggling Rapids Copland: Rodeo: V. Hoe-Down Herbert: March of the Toys Joplin / arr. Knight: Maple Leaf Rag Beach: Bal Masqué Dvorák: Cello Concerto, mvmt. III Bock: “If I Were A Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof Hanson: Symphony No. 2, mvmt. I Gershwin: An American in Paris |
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Jelani Canser began playing string bass at the age of eleven in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, performing through high school in various orchestras, as well as in band (on baritone horn and bass guitar) and in choir. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education at the University of Minnesota. In 2001 Jelani started his career as an elementary orchestra teacher in Mesa, Arizona. He earned his Master's degree in Music Education with a concentration in Jazz Studies at Arizona State University in 2007. In 2008 he moved to San Jose and continued his career teaching orchestra and band at Muwekma Ohlone Middle School. In 2015 Jelani was awarded Teacher of the Year for San Jose Unified School District. In 2022 he joined the faculty of Lincoln High School, teaching Orchestra and Mariachi.
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Huisun Hong, 18, is a senior at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, California. He began playing the cello at the age of eight and currently studies under Eric Sung at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Pre-College Division. Huisun is a co-principal cellist of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and has been a member since 2021. In 2024, he was the runner-up in the orchestra’s concerto competition and had the honor of representing the youth orchestra at a performance for the donors and sponsors of the San Francisco Symphony’s Pierre Monteux Society.
A 2024 National YoungArts Winner and a 2023 MTNA California State competition winner, Huisun has also performed as a soloist with the Palo Alto Philharmonic and performed Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the California Youth Symphony this past season. Throughout his journey, Huisun has earned numerous awards, including top prizes in the KAMSA Competition, the Etude Club of Berkeley’s Young Artist Competition, the Pacific Music Society Competition, and the Burlingame Music Club’s Young Artists Competition. Additionally, he was invited to perform at the Junior Bach Festivals in 2020, 2021, and 2022. As an avid chamber musician, Huisun plays in the Aves Trio as part of the Young Chamber Musicians program. The trio took first and grand prize at the 11th Coltman National Chamber Music Competition and won the first prize in the ENKOR and MTAC VOCE State Competitions. The group has participated in masterclasses with the Horszowski Piano Trio, Miró Quartet, and pianist Stephan Prutsman and was selected for From the Top’s Learning and Media Lab Fellowship. In May 2025, the trio will perform at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Young Musicians Concert in New York. Huisun has had the privilege of studying under many renowned cellists, including Laurence Lesser, Andres Diaz, Paul Katz, Clara Kim, Hans Jensen, Lluis Claret, Steven Doane, and Zvi Plesser. His summers include attending the Bowdoin International Music Festival, NYO2, Encore Chamber Music, NYO-USA, and the Morningside Music Bridge Program. This summer, he will return to participate in the Morningside program on a full scholarship. |
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A Hero's Journey
Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 PM Hammer Theatre Free Admission/Donations Accepted Suggested Donation $25 Per Adult Scott Krijnen, conductor and artistic director Frank Levy, piano Bernstein: Overture to Candide Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 Conte: Sinfonietta (West Coast Premiere) Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 |
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Pianist Frank Lévy has been hailed by audiences and critics alike as an artist of rare poetic insight and communicative powers. A prize-winner in the Leeds and Clara Haskil international piano competitions, Frank Lévy has an international career as a recitalist performing on many of the world’s great stages, including Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Royce Hall in Los Angeles, the National Theater in Beijing, Teatro Municipal in Santiago, Chile, Garner Hall in Salt Lake City, and the Stadthaussaal in Winterthur. He has performed under the batons of Louis Langrée, Mehli Mehta, Paul Dunkel, David Josefowitz, Ya-Hui Wang, Martin Stüder and other conductors.
Mr. Lévy recorded the complete piano works of Schubert and Brahms for the Canadian label, Palexa, and the complete works of Chopin for MusOpen. Frank Lévy recorded the complete Brahms Sonatas for piano and violin with violinist Bin Huang. Award-wining educator, Frank Lévy joined the piano faculty at Stanford University Department of Music in September 2023. He is also serving on the piano faculty at San Jose State University School of Music and Dance since 2015. Frank Lévy has served on the piano faculty of the Juilliard School Pre-College Division (1995-2008) and in the D.M.A. program at the City University of New York Graduate Center (2008-2014). Mr. Lévy’s recent appearances include solo recitals in Mexico, Chile, Brazil, China, Russia, Kuala Lumpur, Switzerland, Italy, Canada and the United States. Frank Lévy has given numerous lectures and master classes at universities, conservatories and music festivals around the world. His recent lectures include “The Art of Practicing: From Concept to Sound,” “From the Fortepiano to the Fazioli”, “Schubert and the Suspension of Time,” “Musical Offerings for a Monument: Masterpieces by Beethoven, Liszt and Schumann,” “Practicing Piano Creatively” and “The School of Piano: Understanding the Interaction between the Piano Mechanism and the Human Body.” Frank Lévy, who grew up in Switzerland, entered the Geneva Conservatory at the age of fifteen and earned the bachelor’s and master’s degrees studying with renowned pianist and pedagogue Louis Hiltbrand, and the doctorate in performance studying with Maria Tipo. After winning the Kiefer-Hablitzel Prize, Frank Lévy went to study with Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory, from where he received the Artist Diploma. Mr. Lévy also studied with Emanual Ax, Samuel Sanders, Margo Garrett and Dorothy Taubman in New York, Vlado Perlemuter in Paris, Maria Curcio, Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia in London. Since 2011, Frank Lévy makes his home in Sunnyvale, California with his wife, Ilana, and their three children. For more information about Frank’s upcoming concerts, please visit his website www.franklevy.com. |
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David Conte is the composer of over one hundred and fifty works published by E. C. Schirmer Music Company, including 7 operas, works for chorus, solo voice, orchestra, band, and chamber music. He has received commissions from Chanticleer, the San Francisco, Oakland, Stockton, and Dayton Symphonies, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra; and from the American Guild of Organists. In 2007 he received the Raymond Brock commission from the American Choral Directors Association, one of the nation’s highest honors in choral music. His work is represented on many commercial CD recordings, including in 2015 Chamber Music of David Conte, on the Albany label; in 2016 Choral Music of Conrad Susa and David Conte, on the Delos label; and in 2018 Everyone Sang: Vocal Music of David Conte on the Arsis label. His opera The Gift of the Magi has received over 30 productions in the U. S., Canada, and Europe. He co-wrote the film score for the acclaimed documentary Ballets Russes, shown at the Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals in 2005, and composed the music for the PBS documentary, Orozco: Man of Fire, shown on the American Masters Series in the fall of 2007. In 1982, Conte lived and worked with Aaron Copland while preparing a study of the composer’s sketches, having received a Fulbright Fellowship for study with Copland's teacher Nadia Boulanger in Paris, where he was one of her last students. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Cornell University. He is Professor of Composition and Chair of the Composition Department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. From 2011-2022 he served on the composition faculty of the European American Musical Alliance in Paris. In 2014 he was named Composer in Residence for Cappella SF, a professional chamber choir in San Francisco. In 2016 his song cycle American Death Ballads won First Prize in the NATS Composition Competition, and was premiered by tenor Brian Thorsett and pianist Warren Jones at the NATS Conference in Chicago.
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