The Symphony of Riverside, a new community orchestra in residence at La Sierra University, will perform its first concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Hole Memorial Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.
The ensemble includes university students, music educators, working professionals, retirees and young musicians, according to founding music director Dean Anderson, a professor of music at La Sierra.
"The Symphony of Riverside was born out of a desire to bring people together through music," Anderson told The Raincross Gazette. "When we first envisioned this orchestra, we wanted to create a place where musicians from different walks of life could come together for the sheer joy of making music."
Anderson said the city's cultural and educational communities presented an opportunity to build something connecting experienced musicians, educators, university students and young emerging artists. The residency at La Sierra gives students a chance to perform alongside experienced players while strengthening ties between the university and the surrounding community, he said.
"Ultimately, I envision an orchestra that the people of Riverside can embrace as their own, one that grows with the community, nurtures future generations of musicians, and becomes a lasting source of cultural pride," Anderson said.
Saturday's program opens with Robert Sheldon's "Appalachian Morning," followed by Fauré's "Élégie" and Bruch's "Kol Nidrei" with guest cellist Marek Szpakiewicz. After intermission, the orchestra will perform Brahms' Symphony No. 2.
Anderson said he wanted a program that was both artistically meaningful and welcoming to the audience.
"Brahms' Second Symphony seemed especially appropriate for this occasion," he said. "It is a work filled with warmth, lyricism, and an extraordinary sense of optimism. There is something particularly fitting about beginning a new musical journey with a symphony that celebrates the beauty and richness of the orchestral experience."
Among the orchestra's members is principal flutist Melissa Blanco, who built her musical foundation through ensemble and performance work at California Baptist University. In remarks shared by the orchestra, Blanco described what inspired her to join.
"In an era defined by technology and instant gratification, I am committed to slowing down and creating something meaningful on a daily basis," Blanco said. "Joining SoR means partaking in something that carries deep significance and extends beyond myself."
She also reflected on the orchestra's multigenerational makeup.
"Seasoned musicians contribute wisdom and perspective, while younger musicians bring fresh energy and enthusiasm," Blanco said. "There is room for anyone, from any path in life. I believe that openness is the most beautiful part of making music together."
Nathalia Saffi, the orchestra's newly appointed community musician chair, has supported the ensemble since its earliest stages. In her new role, she will help strengthen connections among the musicians and foster a welcoming environment, Anderson said. Her son, Jakob, 14, plays in the orchestra.
"The first words that come to mind are opportunity and access," Saffi said in remarks shared by the orchestra. "Classical music is often associated with wealth and privilege."
"For my 14-year-old son, Jakob, a community orchestra gives him the chance to play alongside musicians with decades of experience and to see how they give back by sharing what they've spent years learning," she said.
Saffi also sees the orchestra as an addition to the city's cultural life.
"It gives young musicians a chance to play alongside experienced adults and gets people talking about how we can make classical music more accessible right here in Riverside," she said.
Saffi is not a musician herself, but she has found it rewarding to see her work on language and belonging connect with the orchestra's mission of bringing people together through music, Anderson said. He said Blanco's and Saffi's perspectives capture something essential about that mission.
"This orchestra is not simply about performing great music; it's about creating opportunities for people to connect, learn from one another, and contribute to something larger than themselves," he said.
"Looking ahead, my hope is to establish the Symphony of Riverside as a lasting part of the region's cultural life," Anderson said. He said he would like to see the orchestra grow artistically, expand its reach into the community and create more opportunities for collaboration, education and musical experiences.
"More than anything, I hope we can build an orchestra that musicians are proud to belong to and audiences look forward to hearing," he said.
More information: The Symphony of Riverside's inaugural concert begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Hole Memorial Auditorium, La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway. Admission is free. For more information, visit symphonyriverside.org.
