Camellia Symphony Orchestra

== History == The Camellia Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has a rich history that dates back to the fall of 1961 when Dick Surryhne, leader of the Sacramento Banjo Band, began assembling orchestral musicians to play classical music for enjoyment. This informal gathering, which included Mel Wesleder as the leader and Zygmunt Darzell as the concertmaster, initially played at Encina High School and was humorously called The Potluck Symphony due to the unpredictable mix of instruments. The orchestra's first public performance was on May 31, 1962, during the San Juan School District’s Adult Education commencement exercises. By September 1, 1962, the ensemble had formalized into an organization with a Board of Directors and appointed Darzell as the Musical Director, a role he maintained until the 1968-1969 season. During this period, they performed under the name North Area Community Symphony, and by the 1963-1964 season, the orchestra had grown from 27 to 75 musicians. The North Area Symphony Guild was established in August 1963 to promote community education in symphonic music and support the Symphony. The guild organized various events, such as wine and gourmet food tastings, to stimulate ticket sales, helping the orchestra become self-sufficient financially. On February 1, 1968, the orchestra adopted the name Camellia Symphony, aligning with Sacramento's identity as the Camellia City. The orchestra's concerts became a part of the city's annual Camellia Festival, which included various cultural and social events. Over the years, the CSO has evolved with each conductor bringing their unique contributions. Walter Kerfoot expanded the season, added free concerts, and engaged local soloists and ensembles. Dr. Daniel Kingman, who took over as conductor in 1979, focused on programming American music, including his compositions. The orchestra received its first ASCAP award under his leadership and produced a commercial recording of Kingman's opera, "The Hills of Mexico," which won the INDIE award for the best classical release of 1986. The 1987-1988 season marked the orchestra's Silver Anniversary, which included a special concert featuring Duke Ellington’s "Black, Brown and Beige" in collaboration with jazz band arranger Randall Keith Horton. Nan Washburn became the Music Director and Conductor in 1990, bringing a focus on contemporary American music and the works of women composers. Under her direction, the CSO earned five additional ASCAP Awards. Eugene Castillo, who served as conductor from 1997 to 2004, continued the tradition of adventuresome programming, earning five more ASCAP Awards and celebrating significant milestones such as California's Sesquicentennial and the Millennium. Dr. Allan Pollack took the baton in 2004, moving the concert venue to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium and later to The Center at Twenty-three Hundred. The orchestra's programming expanded to include collaborations with various local arts organizations. In 2012, Dr. Christian Baldini began a new era for the CSO, with a new performance venue at the Sacramento City College: Performing Arts Center. The orchestra's 50th Anniversary Season marked the continuation of its mission to provide a musical forum for musicians and to give back to the community. As of 2023, the Camellia Symphony Orchestra continues to be a vibrant part of Sacramento's cultural landscape, offering a mix of season concerts, free family concerts, and fostering collaborations with other arts entities. The orchestra looks forward to the next 50 years of making classical music accessible and engaging for audiences of all ages.