Amateur Musicians Join Pacific Symphony at Samueli Theater

Pacific Symphony's perennially popular program, "OC Can You Play With Us?," has been inviting amateur musicians from across Orange County to perform onstage with orchestra members for almost seven years now. What began as a one-time endeavor in 2011 to expose the community's musicians to professional music education and performance has continued to grow and morph with each passing year. In 2014, the Symphony expanded the program to include a chamber music edition that would allow for a more intimate learning and playing experience. Just as popular as the original program, which engaged avocational musicians in a side-by-side performance with the full orchestra, the chamber edition provides the unique opportunity of playing a variety of selected repertoire in one of five chamber ensembles led by Symphony conductors and musicians.

"This program highlights the various sections of the orchestra in chamber ensembles, where the philosophy is 'the more the merrier!' " says Kelli Frager, the Symphony's community arts engagement manager. "This allows us to connect with avocational musicians who enjoy getting together in a non-competitive environment to embrace the fun of making music with others who do the same. We make a place for everyone, and they get the chance to play under the guidance of a Symphony musician or conductor, as well as continue the network of community musicians in Orange County and beyond."

The culminating event for "OC Can You Play With Us?," which is similar to an open rehearsal, takes place on Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m., in the Samueli Theater (located at the rear of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall). Friends and interested observers are invited to attend the workshop-style final event for free (general admission), but tickets are required and can be reserved through the Symphony's box office at (714) 755-5799, online at PacificSymphony.org/tickets/concert/OCCYP_CE_2017-18 or at the door. Find music tips and interact with the musicians on the "OC Can You Play With Us?" Facebook page at: Facebook.com/OCCanYouPlayWithUs.

For your convenience, the full press release can be found online here, and has been attached in both Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF formats.