Conductor

Violist

We welcome back our music director emeritus, Ben Simon, who returns to lead an unforgettable program. Prepare to be swept away by the intricate and powerful Bartok Divertimento, immerse yourself in the evocative beauty of a Nordic Folk Song, and revel in the timeless elegance of Mozart's D Major Divertimento. This promises to be an extraordinary evening of diverse musical expression, showcasing Senior PACO’s profound artistry and the rich tapestry of classical and folk traditions. Mark your calendars and prepare for a truly memorable performance as we continue to find ways to connect across oceans and time through music!

Senior PACO

Cubberley Community Center

Five friends and San Francisco Chamber Orchestra All-Stars meet for fun and chamber music one Monday each month. Violinists Liana Berubé & Evan Price, violists Stephanie Ng & Ben Simon and cellist Michael Graham are the Monday Night Chamber Music Society, teaming up for their sixth annual Classical at the Freight program.  A program of terrific viola quintets -no, that’s not 5 violas (unfortunately) but rather 2 violins, 2 violas and cello - for your listening pleasure, including Beethoven’s delightful and surprising early String Quintet in C Major, op. 29 and an practically unknown quintet by the great early 20th century Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů.  Unknown, but remarkable!!  Hauntingly beautiful, witty, colorful, and idiosyncratic… a rare musical treat to end our Classical at the Freight season.

EPSG:4326

Classical at the Freight: The Monday Night Chamber Music Society

The Freight

Join us as Ben Simon, Conductor Emeritus, leads the PACO Senior Orchestra.

Senior Concert 3

Cubberley Theatre

Five San Francisco Chamber Orchestra All-Stars team up for their annual program of viola quintets; no, that’s not five violas but rather a string quartet enhanced by a second violist.  Masterpieces by Mozart and Brahms.

Monday Night Chamber Music Society

The Freight and Salvage

Back by popular demand, the SF Opera’s stellar concertmaster performs a program of amazing duos with our own Ben Simon (viola). Works by Martinu, Bartok and Mozart will show off these virtuosic players and astound you with what two bows and eight strings can do!
Our Classical at the Freight concerts are ticketed events. General admission is$9 in advance, $11 at the door; all SFCO members get two tickets for the price of one.

Bach's Birthday with Kay Stern & Friends

Our esteemed concertmaster, Robin Sharp, leads an ensemble of San Francisco Chamber Orchestra All-Stars in a program of string quartet masterpieces. Joined by Natasha Makhhijani (violin), Ben Simon, (viola), and Eric Gaenslen (cello) this kickoff concert to our 2022-23 Classical at the Freight season will be amazing chamber music performed with poise and polish by our A-team of SFCO players.

Robin Sharp and Friends

Five San Francisco Chamber Orchestra All-Stars team up for their annual program of viola quintets; no, that’s not five violas but rather a string quartet enhanced by a second violist.  Masterpieces by Mozart and Brahms.    Our Classical at the Freight concerts are ticketed events. General admission is $9 in advance, $11 at the door; all SFCO members get two tickets for the price of one.

Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse

Back by popular demand, the SF Opera’s stellar concertmaster performs a program of amazing string trios by Beethoven and Dohnanyi with noted Bay Area cellist Gianna Abondolo and erstwhile violist Ben Simon. 

Conductor, Violist

Ben Simon

Events

Past events

Mar 14, 2026

Senior PACO · Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra

Apr 7, 2025

Classical at the Freight: The Monday Night Chamber Music Society · The Freight

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in Divertimento in D Major, K. 136 by Mozart

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra

Conductor in Divertimento for String Orchestra, Sz. 113 by Bartók

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra

Conductor in String Quartet No.1 in F Major by Beethoven

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra

About

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