The Auburn Symphony

The Auburn Symphony is a distinguished community orchestra located in Auburn, California, known for its dedication to enriching and engaging the local community through the power of music. Celebrating its 35th season in 2022/2023, the orchestra has been a source of inspiration and enjoyment for audiences since its inception in 1987.\n\nFounded on the unwavering vision of local musician Monroe DeJarnette, who dreamed of establishing a volunteer symphony orchestra in Auburn, the organization faced initial skepticism. However, DeJarnette's determination was unshakable, leading to the formation of the Auburn Civic Symphony under the auspices of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in July 1987. By December of that year, Clyde Quick, a music teacher at Placer High School, was appointed as the conductor, with Betty DeJarnette as the Concertmaster. The orchestra's debut performance, \"The Birth of an Orchestra,\" took place on May 20, 1988, to a packed auditorium and enthusiastic acclaim, marking the official launch of the Auburn Symphony.\n\nThe following year saw the orchestra perform three concerts, and in 1989, the now-traditional Messiah Sing-along was established, with the Symphony on the Green event debuting in 1990. That same year, the first official Board of Directors was elected, and the Symphony Guild, now known as the Symphony League, was created to support the symphony's endeavors.\n\nUnder the artistic direction and conductorship of Michael Goodwin from 1995 until his untimely death in 2012, the orchestra expanded to nearly 70 musicians and introduced several key initiatives, including the KinderKonzert (now the Family Concert) and the Young Artists Competition. Goodwin's leadership also saw the orchestra's first performance at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis, which became a tradition. The educational outreach programs, \"Symphony Goes to School\" and \"Symphony Goes to Preschool,\" were launched alongside the KinderKonzert, reaching over 100,000 students in Placer County.\n\nFollowing Goodwin's tragic passing, the orchestra continued to perform, with guest conductors stepping in to lead the remaining concerts of the season. A memorial concert was held in honor of Maestro Goodwin, with pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski and conductor Pete Nowlen participating as a tribute.\n\nPeter Jaffe succeeded Goodwin, becoming the Music Director and leading the orchestra into its 25th anniversary. With Jaffe at the helm, the symphony reached new artistic heights and introduced popular events such as a Halloween pops concert. One of the most memorable performances under Jaffe's direction was Richard Strauss's \"The Alpine Symphony,\" requiring over 100 performers at the Mondavi Center in 2017. A documentary titled \"Auburn Symphony: Scaling the Heights\" was released in 2020, chronicling this period.\n\nAs of the end of the 2020-2021 season, Maestro Jaffe stepped down, and the symphony underwent an extensive search for a new Music Director, with three candidates participating in a Finalist Showcase Series before a final decision was made.\n\nThe Auburn Symphony has been recognized as one of the nation's finest community orchestras, offering a wide array of performances, including Masterworks concerts, family-oriented concerts, and special events. The orchestra's mission is to provide musical experiences that foster community engagement across all generations.\n\nThe Auburn Symphony is based at the Auburn State Theatre, located at 985 Lincoln Way, Suite 102, Auburn, California, and can be reached at 530-823-6683. The organization invites support through donations, sponsorships, individual giving, and volunteer opportunities, including participation in the Symphony League. The symphony's outreach and educational efforts continue to be a cornerstone of its mission, alongside the annual Young Artists Competition.\n\nFor more information, performance schedules, or to support the Auburn Symphony, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the organization's website or contact the office directly.