Peninsula Symphony

==Peninsula Symphony==\n\nThe Peninsula Symphony is a distinguished musical organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area's Peninsula region. Founded in 1949 through the merger of two separate ensembles, the Sequoia Symphony and the Peninsula Symphony, under the baton of Russian-born violinist and conductor Aaron Sten, the Symphony has established itself as a vital part of the local cultural landscape. Its mission is to enrich the lives of community members with inspiring, innovative, and high-quality musical presentations at affordable prices, and to promote music education through comprehensive programs for both children and adults.\n\n===History===\nThe inception of the Peninsula Symphony marked the beginning of a tradition that would include four seasonal concerts—held in October, January, March, and May—featuring balanced musical programs with first-class guest artists. From its early days, the Symphony has been characterized by informative concert programs and robust community support. Aaron Sten, the founding conductor, also established the California Youth Symphony and initiated the practice of featuring outstanding young musicians in performances.\n\nIn 1951, the organization was formally incorporated as a non-profit association, and a formal board of directors was appointed. By 1956, the Peninsula Symphony Auxiliary was created, largely due to the efforts of Board President Robert L. Clark, which significantly contributed to audience development. The Symphony operated with the help of dedicated volunteers until 1985, when it opened an office in San Mateo and appointed a paid Executive Director, coinciding with Aaron Sten's final year of leadership.\n\nUnder the direction of Mitchell Sardou Klein, who celebrated his 30th season in 2015, the Peninsula Symphony evolved from a grassroots ensemble to a polished orchestra comprising over 90 well-trained community musicians. The Symphony expanded its offerings to include collaborative concerts at Stanford University, Family Concerts, and free outdoor Summer Concerts. Educational outreach became a cornerstone of the Symphony's activities, encapsulated in the \"Bridges to Music\" program, which includes school presentations, preconcert lectures, interactive Salon programs, and competitions for young artists, such as the Marilyn Mindell Piano Competition and the Young Musicians Competition.\n\nThe Symphony's repertoire has broadened to encompass a wide array of programming, including commissions of new works, performances of contemporary masterpieces, ethnic music, jazz, world music, choral/orchestral works, and multi-media presentations. It has maintained a tradition of showcasing internationally renowned soloists and has been recognized by the California Arts Council for its excellence.\n\nIn the spirit of fostering young talent, the Peninsula Youth Orchestra was established in 1997, with Mitchell Sardou Klein as its Music Director. The ensemble has performed globally in prestigious concert halls and festivals. As the Peninsula Symphony looks to the future, it continues to seek ways to enhance the concert experience and engage the entire community in the joy of symphonic music.