New Century Chamber Orchestra

The New Century Chamber Orchestra is a distinguished conductorless chamber ensemble based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1992, the orchestra is composed of 19 string players who hail not only from the local area but also from across the United States. Unique in its organizational structure, the ensemble operates without a conductor, with musical decisions being made collaboratively by the musicians themselves. This approach fosters a deep sense of commitment among the members and has become a hallmark of the orchestra's performances, which are noted for their precision, passion, and power.\n\nOver the years, the New Century Chamber Orchestra has been under the artistic leadership of several prominent music directors. Stuart Canin was the first to hold the position from the orchestra's inception until 1999, establishing a high musical standard that garnered immediate respect from audiences and critics alike. Canin's background included roles as Concertmaster at the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera, and in numerous Hollywood studio orchestras, contributing to film scores for movies such as \"Schindler's List,\" \"Titanic,\" and \"Forrest Gump.\"\n\nFollowing Canin, Krista Bennion Feeney served as Music Director and Concertmaster from 1999 to 2006. Feeney, a native of Menlo Park, CA, is known for her work with the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center and the Orchestra of St. Luke's. Her tenure was marked by musical imagination and versatility. Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg took over from 2008 to 2017, infusing the ensemble with a new sense of vitality and an audacious style that became a signature of her leadership.\n\nIn the 2017-2018 season, the British violinist Daniel Hope joined the orchestra as Artistic Partner and concertmaster, and in the following season, he was appointed as Music Director. Hope brought with him a wealth of experience as a soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist, and has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations for his recordings.\n\nThe New Century Chamber Orchestra is committed to expanding the chamber orchestra repertoire. Through its Featured Composer program, the ensemble commissions new works, aiming to provide audiences with a deeper understanding and appreciation of contemporary composers. The orchestra has also embarked on national and international tours, including performances in the Midwest, East Coast, Southern California, and an extensive European tour in 2019 that included appearances at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival and Philharmonie Essen.\n\nThe orchestra's discography includes several critically acclaimed recordings, such as \"From A to Z: 21st Century Concertos,\" \"LIVE: Barber, Strauss, Mahler,\" and \"Together,\" with releases on the NSS Music label and other collaborations on the New Albion and d’Note labels. Their recordings have been distributed both in the United States and internationally, and they have been recognized with awards and Grammy nominations.\n\nIn addition to regular season concerts, the New Century Chamber Orchestra has been involved in special projects that blend music with other art forms. Notable collaborations include performances with mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, Chinese composer Gang Situ in a multimedia project titled \"Strings Calligraphy,\" and a 10th Anniversary Celebration concert conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.\n\nThe New Century Chamber Orchestra continues to be a vibrant and innovative force in the classical music scene, known for its dynamic performances and dedication to the evolution of chamber orchestra music.