2024-25 Season Overview
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
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.
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.
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!
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
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. 
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
Dvorák: Cello Concerto, mvmt. III
Beach: Bal Masqué
Bock: “If I Were A Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof
Hanson: Symphony No. 2, mvmt. III
Gershwin: An American in Paris

 ​​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
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5