we’ve lost a truly great man

Dear Symphony Family,

With deep sorrow, we acknowledge the passing of Rowland Rebele, one of the finest people in our community. "Reb," as his friends knew him, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25.

Reb and his wife Patricia were completely devoted to each other, and together they supported numerous nonprofit organizations in Santa Cruz County and beyond. We are honored that Santa Cruz Symphony has been a longtime recipient of the Rebeles' generosity. They were present for nearly all of our concerts and special events. Reb was typically the first to stand for an ovation and could be heard yelling "Bravo!" at most concerts.

Your Symphony recently honored Reb as one of our Distinguished Board Alumni. It was a well-deserved accolade, not only for his generous financial support, but also because of his commitment and dedication to Santa Cruz Symphony. His continued good counsel and his larger-than-life presence at our performances and events have been treasured through the years. Reb was a member of the Santa Cruz Symphony Board for many years and served as Board President from 1982 to 1987. Right to the end, in his typical fashion, he was discussing the needs of local nonprofit entities.

The entire Symphony organization sends our deepest condolences to the Rebele family. Reb defined commitment to his community, displayed character and passion of spirit, and showed us what charity of heart looks like. We have lost a man of great value to his family and his community.

Sincerely,

Linda Burroughs

Santa Cruz Symphony Board President

Happy Thanksgiving from your symphony!

Investing in the Symphony can improve your health and intelligence. Here’s how… 

Donating to Santa Cruz Symphony on Giving Tuesday, November 28, is an investment in your well-being. How? Science has shown that listening to music can improve your mental health. It can also improve your brain power, reduce blood pressure, instill a sense of community, and even improve your understanding of math. Here’s proof:

• No matter what your age, listening to music lights up and develops certain parts of our brains. But playing an instrument is like setting off fireworks because the effect is multiplied.

• Did you know that music and mathematics are closely related? This means that music helps to develop the neural pathways that help us understand math and other logic-based issues. 

• Listening to classical music – even the “new classics” – can reduce stress, lift your mood, and lower blood pressure. Listening with an audience is even better because it can improve your sense of community and connection with others.

These are just a few reasons your donation to Santa Cruz Symphony on Giving Tuesday, November 28, will benefit you and our entire community. But wait! There’s more!

• Our county-wide music education programs introduce young people to classical and traditional music, to orchestral instruments, to rhythm and vocalization, and to the opportunities for music camps, private lessons, and other ways to develop their musical abilities.

• Our professional musicians introduce music education in classrooms, our Mueller Scholarships provide funds for students to advance their training, and our annual concerts for young people help them appreciate musical traditions and performance. This year, for example, we taught them about traditional African and Hispanic music, dance, and dress.

• Our free pre-concert discussions with Dr. Don Adkins, an engaging music professor, help us understand the featured compositions, composers, and stories behind them.

• And our Symphony League Previews bring us one-on-one with Maestro Daniel Stewart and the featured soloists. 

Those reasons, and plenty more, are excellent motivations to give generously to the Santa Cruz Symphony on Giving Tuesday, November 28. It’s so easy! Just click the link below, and invest in your well-being. It’s more affordable than health care!

Thanks in advance for your generosity.

PS – Our Board of Directors has already given generously, so we’re already on the way to meeting our $20,000 goal. Can you help put us over the top?

our recital with Destiny Muhammad postponed until April 21, 2024

Dear Santa Cruz Symphony Supporter:

This email is to inform you that our recital with Destiny Muhammad, originally scheduled for Sunday, December 17, must be postponed until April 21, 2024. There is a good reason for this change, and Destiny agrees.

On Friday afternoon, we learned that Kuumbwa Jazz Center was producing a fundraiser for Tammi Brown, a jazz artist who has performed with our Symphony. She has just been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and needs financial help for medical expenses.

Kuumbwa had to set the fundraiser for the same date as our recital to accommodate the schedules of participating musicians. Destiny and Tammi are longtime friends, as is Maestro Danny. We knew that going ahead with our recital date would be entirely inappropriate for all of us.

We contacted Destiny to inform her of the conflict and suggested that we postpone her performance to another date. She immediately agreed, so we moved her recital to April 21, 2024. Of course, we will offer refunds to those who cannot make the alternate date.

We do encourage you to attend the Kuumbwa fundraiser and support Tammi. Tickets are going quickly.

Please visit Eventbrite to book your place.

Or visit Tammi’s GoFundMe page.

Thank you for your cooperation in supporting this fundraiser and in accommodating our schedule change.

Best regards,

Your Santa Cruz Symphony

Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony Fall Concert this sunday!

When: 3 PM, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 19
WHERE: UCSC Music Center Recital Hall

You're in for a treat this Sunday, when the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony presents a rich and varied program showcasing two featured artists!

This fall concert will feature classics by Ravel and Copland and music from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by John Williams. You'll also hear two modern works: Jennifer Jolley's Motordom, and The Middle of Nowhere, a lovely, evocative composition by Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony Concertmaster Benjamin Goodwin.

Antonio Plaza, winner of the Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, will impress you with his sweet performance of the Andante Cantabile from Rimsky-Korsakov's Trombone Concerto. The Starling Violin Quartet, from our Chamber Music Academy, will open the program.

Benjamin Goodwin

Concertmaster and Composer

A talented musician and a valuable leader in the Youth Symphony, Benjamin Goodwin is also a dedicated volunteer with the Santa Cruz Symphony.

His love of music and willingness to share his time and abilities have made him a wonderful asset to our musical community.

Antonio Plaza

Soloist

Winner of the Youth Symphony’s Concerto Competition, trombone soloist Antonio Plaza is also one of Santa Cruz Symphony’s Mueller Scholarship winners.

He says that the Mueller Scholarship made it possible for him to “experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as performing a concerto onstage in front of an audience with a full orchestra behind me.”

You don't want to miss this concert!

Tickets are just $3 for youth 18 and younger. Adult tickets are $17, seniors $12, college students $5. Premium seats (center front) are available for $30.

Questions? Email info@sccys.org or call Gerry at (831) 239-0442.

Maestro Daniel Stewart joins Hakan Ali Toker in a recital!

This is a first for Santa Cruz Symphony! Maestro Danny Stewart, a virtuoso on the viola, will join internationally known pianist Hakan Ali Toker on stage in recital.

Hakan returns following a rousing performance with Your Symphony last year. But he has improved significantly. For years, his sense of hearing was diminishing because of a childhood accident. He had surgery a few months ago to repair the loss, and now he can hear his music the way everyone else can.

It’s been a spiritual awakening. Hakan says he now plays with more restraint and simplicity, and he wants to share that joy with us. Danny looks forward to performing with him in this recital, promising a memorable afternoon of musical delights.

As always, our recitals are held in an intimate setting, where the musicians interact with the audience. Because of the limited capacity, order your tickets now for the best seating.