Backstage

Last weekend The Claremont Concert Orchestra, along with The Claremont Concert Choir, The Claremont Treble Singers and The Claremont Chorale performed the magnificent 9th Symphony by Beethoven. Both Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon concerts were sold out (with free tickets).

Next year is the 200th anniversary of the premiere of this symphony. This fall was the 20th anniversary of the renovation of Garrison Theater. The opening concert that year featured the same symphony.

The concert choir performed a short piece before the Beethoven, so the orchestra members had time backstage before curtain. Here are some shots.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Now that we know Gustavo Dudamel is leaving LA in 2026, we are making more of an effort to see the LA Phil under his baton. I am super impressed with how many works the LA Phil commissions. We chose to attend the world premiere of The Glitter Revolution (Revolución Diamantina) by Gabriela Ortiz.

Also on the program was Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires featuring violinist Leticia Moreno. The concert was outstanding.

Inspired by videos from the iPhone Photography YouTube channel, I took these abstract photos of the building designed by Frank Gehry.

Glatter-Götz Organ

Good-Bye Rhino Records and Video Paradiso

As with other long-time Claremont businesses, we now say good-bye to Rhino Records and Video Paradiso. Rhino is moving to Montclair, so when you need a vinyl fix, you can still visit their shop.

I do not know if Video Paradiso will have a new location. We used to go there all the time in the days of renting VHS and then DVDs.

National Cello Institute Returns

The last time the cellists descended on Pomona College was June 2019. Who knew, at the time, that it would be three years before the National Cello Institute would meet in person again? It is good to see the young musicians of all ages, once again making music in Claremont.

Christmas Music in the Village

‘Twas a day in December when all through the town

Music was playing, a bright, cheerful sound.

The cellos were caroling songs of good cheer

Happy to play again (after last year).

A few hours later, a string duo played masked

Requests from the onlookers they played gladly, when asked.

The weather was sunny, for which all were thankful

As Thursday before it rained more than a handful.

This year, my friends, stay healthy and steadfast,

Protect us all and get vaxxed and stay masked!

Tuba Christmas

Last year about this time, Claremont enjoyed some pretend snow in the Village. This year we enjoyed real music by Tuba Christmas on Saturday afternoon in front of the Chamber of Commerce..

Getting Creative with Orchestra Rehearsals

It’s been great to see students back on campus after 18 months. It’s not exactly like in the before-times with masking, social distancing and other Covid precautions, but people are learning and working together again.

The Claremont Concert Orchestra has, under the direction of David Cubek, has been rehearsing in new ways. String instrumentalists can mask while playing, but it is hard for wind players to do so. Some rehearsals have had strings on stage, and winds in the back of Garrison Theater. Recently the orchestra has had rehearsals outside, in front of Garrison Theater. With evening rehearsals, it’s been dark, but the ability to make music together makes the challenges worthwhile.

The first concert of the year will be on Sunday, October 24 at 11:00 a.m. It will be outdoors in front of Garrison Theater. Audience members must reserved a free ticket at this site:

Register on Eventbrite

The orchestra will perform Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Dvořák’s New World Symphony.

Claremont Taiko

On any Saturday from 3-5, you can hear the sounds of Taiko drumming coming from Village Dance Arts. Go down the alley behind the post office to watch these young people in action. Their teacher is the amazing Denise Donovan.

Student Death in Claremont

In 2015 I was heartbroken to hear about the death of one of my former students, and this past weekend my heart broke again to learn about another former student of mine. It’s hard to believe, but at the young age of 13, Maxx was a victim of Covid-19.

*UPDATE: Maxx’s death has been attributed to a genetic heart defect, not Covid-19. His twin brother, has been discovered to also have this defect and will undergo heart surgery to correct it.

Maxx was a violist in the Elementary Instrumental Music Program (EIMP) for three years, two of those years in the orchestra I taught. Walking into class with an easy stride and big smile, it was always a pleasure to have him and his twin, Leo, in class. According to David Chamberlain, CHS Speech and Debate coach, Maxx also participated in Speech and Debate at El Roble, as well as on swim team.

Those who knew this great kid will miss him so much, and I especially send my condolences to Leo and his family.

ICCAOSA Workshop

I love to take photos at an Orff Workshop – a time for classroom music teachers to learn new and fun ways to teach music to kids. The Inland Counties Chapter of the AOSA had a workshop on Saturday at the University of Redlands presented by Andrea and Joey Coleman. Here are a few of my favorite shots.