PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY
AND IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE PRESENT
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 8pm
Artist Sponsor
William and Janice Parker Family Fund
Eclectic Orange Series sponsored by:
Jelinek Family Trust
Peter Brooke Turner: soprano ukulele
Guy Bellingham: tenor ukulele
Ben Rouse: tenor ukulele
Guy Hargreaves: concert ukulele
Leisa Rea: soprano ukulele
Laura Currie: concert ukulele
Laurie Higgins: bass ukulele
The program will be announced from the stage.
There will be a 20-minute intermission.
Musical Director: George Hinchliffe
Creative Producer: Leisa Rea
Tour Management: Viola Farrington
Sound: Verena Rogler
Part of Distinctive Experiences co-presented with Irvine Barclay Theatre
All dates, times, artists, programs and prices are subject to change. Photographing or recording this performance without permission is prohibited.
Kindly disable pagers, cellular phones and other audible devices.
A celebrated musical juggernaut for four decades, thrilling audiences from Tasmania in the South Pacific to Svalbard in the Arctic Circle, Windsor Castle to Carnegie Hall, the all-singing, all-plucking Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain continues to break the mold with a program of new tunes as well as old classics.
A concert by the Ukulele Orchestra is an unforgettable experience. A witty, quirky, irreverent, joyful, foot-stomping obituary of rock & roll and melodious light entertainment, all played on the “bonsai guitar.” Add to this a menagerie of voices, eccentric humor and a fusion of post-punk energy meets afternoon tea, and a wonderful night of entertainment is guaranteed.
There are no pianos, backing tracks or banjos, no pitch shifters or electronic trickery. Only an astonishing revelation of the rich palette of orchestration afforded by different sized ukuleles, vocal harmonies, and a bit of whistling. Prepare yourselves for a roller coaster ride through every musical genre. From Abba to ZZ Top, Tchaikovsky to Nirvana, whether its Soul, Funk, Classical, Country, Pop, Rock, Punk or Folk, in the hands of the Ukulele Orchestra, musical alchemy unites and transports the audience.
So in demand, they find themselves perpetually “on a world tour with hand luggage only,” The Ukulele Orchestra are delighted to be back in the U.S. once again with our friends across the pond. Buckle up.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, that’s the one founded by George Hinchliffe and Kitty Lux, has already enjoyed touring in the United States many times. For those who have not yet encountered it, the essential point is that it is an original musical ensemble featuring only ukuleles of various sizes and registers, accompanied by just the natural voices of the performers.
Harsher critics have stated the opinion that the Ukulele Orchestra formed their repertoire based on any music considered inappropriate for the instrument, with a “shopping trolley dash through genres” and musical history. In Europe and America the Orchestra are best known for playing versions of famous rock songs and film themes, sometimes changing these so that the expectations of the audience are subverted. Sometimes a rock song will be changed into a jazz idiom, or sometimes several songs which are known from different genres are combined in one “soup of contrasts.”
The founding brief for the group was to have fun and “not to lose money.” Incredibly, throughout its thirty year career, the group has succeeded in both not losing money AND incidentally making millions of dollars. It has been seen worldwide by audiences including members of the British Royal Family and other crowned heads of Europe, at the Houses of Parliament in London, and by many millions of television and online viewers. In one territory, the Orchestra has played to audiences which comprise sixty percent of the population!
When The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain began in 1985, the public opinion was that an orchestra consisting entirely of ukuleles in different sizes was a strange concept. This was something that attracted the founders. The Orchestra members at that time had experience of many kinds of music and yet had become tired of the conventions of the music business world as well as the conventions of performance and genre stereotyping which were prevalent at that time. The idea was to make something fresh and entertaining, both modern and old-fashioned, in a different style which deviated from the current performance fashion. People liked the result.
Today, after many years, the Orchestra finds that wherever they go, people are now playing ukuleles, often in groups. Many of these enthusiasts tell the Orchestra that they were inspired to play the instrument after seeing and hearing this, the original Ukulele Orchestra. And now there are many ukulele orchestras, some acknowledging the pioneering work of the UOGB, others claiming ignorance of this rich history, but none of them existing before this, the original Ukulele Orchestra.
In 2015 The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain celebrated sixteen million minutes of “ukuleleation,” having been “on the road” for thirty years and counting.
While it is not normally in the nature of these artists from Britain to “blow their own trumpets,” or in this case to “pluck their own ukuleles,” it is undeniably a fact that The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has become not only a national institution, but also a worldwide phenomenon.
Among their many international concerts and festival appearances, they have “Sold Right Out” twice at Carnegie Hall in New York, twice at The Royal Albert Hall in London, and also at Sydney Opera House in Australia.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been featured in a CNN report in 2012 and featured on CBS This Morning in 2013. The Orchestra has been invited by the British Broadcasting Corporation to play live on air for BBC Radio 3 (the classical music channel) as well as for BBC Radio 1 (the rock, Electronic Dance Music and youth music channel) and live on other BBC channels many times. They have taken part in The Electric Proms (in a collaboration with The Kaiser Chiefs), and the BBC Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London (The Proms), where they were the “fastest selling late night prom in history,” selling many thousands of tickets for the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London very quickly.
At this concert the Ukulele Orchestra performed Jerusalem and other classics of the Last Night of the Proms, the celebrated 120 year old concert series which launched in 1895. Around 2,000 ukulele players in the audience joined the Orchestra in playing passages from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. A DVD of this 2010 BBC Prom concert at The Royal Albert Hall is available to order from the website, www.ukuleleorchestra.com. For those who wish to perform with the Orchestra in the comfort of their own homes, chords and words to accompany the Ukes during their 2012 Sydney Opera House concert are available on this DVD.
The Orchestra has recorded and released records, CDs and DVDs on its own independent label and with CBS, Sony, Discethnique, Longman, Volume, Tachyon and The Ministry of Sound, as well as appearing on Jools Holland’s Hootenany.
Original compositions and songs by the Orchestra have been used on television on film, and in radio plays, as well as in performance by other musicians. They have collaborated with the British Film Institute in providing music for silent films and also musically with Madness, Robbie Williams, Ant & Dec, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Stefan Raab, Rainer Hersch and a full symphony orchestra performing at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Beatle George Harrison was a well known fan who established contact and played with the orchestra.
In addition to performing at theaters and concert halls, the orchestra has also packed the crowds in at rock festivals such as Glastonbury, The Big Chill, WOMAD, The Electric Picnic, and before 170,000 people in Hyde Park, as well as playing in seven cathedrals in England and Wales. The group has been commissioned to write commemorative concerts, eg. The Cecil Sharp 100 Year Memorial Concert in 2012 and The 100 Year World War One Memorial Concert in 2014 for Birmingham Town Hall.
One unique feature of this, the original Ukulele Orchestra, is that although there are many examples of collaboration, they have remained a determinedly independent concern. Relying on their own resources and an email list of tens of thousands they continue to run their own recording, publishing and to eschew mainstream advertising and record companies.
Celebrity fans include Sir Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Monty Python’s Michael Palin, Brian Eno, Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman, George Benson, Joe Brown and Bette Midler.
The orchestra has many catch phrases which audiences find entertaining. “A world tour with only hand luggage,” for example, referring to the fact that ukuleles are small instruments. Every concert from the first to the present day, has begun with the announcement: “Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, we ARE the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.” For English speakers, the stress on the word “Are” is a little amusing, suggesting as it does that the orchestra is politely explaining to someone who perhaps thought that a different group was on stage, and that in order to clear up any confusion, they are confirming that they truly are the members of the orchestra.
A typical ukulele orchestra concert will feature songs sung by each member of the orchestra so that the audience can get to know each person on stage. Often a fast piece will be followed by a slow piece in order to maintain variety, and a rock song will perhaps be followed by classical music. The concept is that if a “level field” is maintained by playing only the one kind of instrument, then all kinds of music can be played quite easily without the variety appearing to be chaotic. One important task of any musical group is maintain unity with variety, integrity with difference, many voices all working in the same direction. This orchestra is made up of performers who are different from each other, and with very different musical backgrounds, experiences and performing styles. The ukulele brings them all together. Mr. Hinchliffe says that the work of the orchestra is like a pencil line drawing rather than a multi-colored painting. The palate is limited but the possibilities are endless. The ukulele in the hands of the orchestra is said to be like an iceberg; visible above the water, but with much more hidden beneath; there are spiritual dimensions which are far larger and which are not immediately seen. Within the limitations and the simplicity of the humble starting point of the orchestra, there are many possibilities for exploration and variation. It may be the case that the very nature of limitation (in this case to the sounds of the ukulele) enables wider variations to be pursued (which might seem too extreme in a less limited context). Perhaps the limitation stimulates freedom within a defined context. Too much variety could be confusing, too many limitations could become tiresomely familiar. With their combination of “unity and variety, and simultaneous individualism and collectivism” the orchestra is able to make the best of the over-riding vision as well as the individual talents and personalities in the orchestra.
Because the music is played on only ukuleles in different sizes, the conventions of any given genre might not be present. Sometimes the music sounds like folk music, sometimes, like a music without a tradition. The sounds of the instruments are not typical for most of the music played.
The arrangements of the music are specially made, often by the Director and Founder, George Hinchliffe, or by other members of the group. The focus is to bring out the spirit of the music, to be faithful to the musical notes, while actually changing the style or genre of the music by the mere fact of playing it on ukuleles. Audiences have reported that the music of the orchestra is variously, moving, funny, stomping, thought provoking, surprising, or inducing the audience by sheer infectious spirit to “tap their toes” along with the beat.
Fun facts:
The orchestra was asked to provide music for broadcasts about the World Cup.
The orchestra has played WOMAD festivals in two continents and in two different centuries.
The orchestra has performed many times at London’s 100 Club, joining the venue’s history with The Sex Pistols, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, Glen Miller, BB King, Muddy Waters, The Who, The Kinks, Metallica and The Rolling Stones.
The orchestra maintains its independence, in relation to record companies, management, publishing and touring and has its own CDs, DVDs, mailing list of tens of thousands, YouTube channel etc.
The orchestra has been a crossword clue in the New Musical Express, the newspaper which was for many years the key publication for popular music in the UK.
In addition to performing at Carnegie Hall in New York on more than one occasion, the orchestra has performed at The Carnegie Hall in Shetland, the islands midway between Scotland and Norway.
The orchestra has performed in the arctic, at the Polar Jazz Festival in Svalbard, but also in Tasmania, North and South Islands of New Zealand, and on both the east and west coasts of Australia.
Peter Brooke Turner (Soprano Ukulele)
Born in Portugal and growing up in the Soviet Union, Brazil, America, Finland, Italy and Britain, Peter dominates the skyline at over 2 metres tall. After false starts on the violin, trumpet and guitar, he turned to the ukulele and joined the Orchestra. Peter has worked with many showbiz greats, even lending his uke to Tiny Tim. Away from the tuxedo, Peter has an alter ego, ‘Tony Penultimate’, whose musical shenanigans and albums have a website all of their own.
Guy Bellingham (Tenor Ukulele)
Guy is a multi-skilled performer and veteran of the circus and cabaret scene. He trained at Circomedia in juggling, clowning and physical comedy and has performed internationally on stage, on television and in variety for twenty-five years. He was a founding member of legendary comedy jazz band ‘The Hot Potato Syncopators’. Guy is also a multi award winning tintype photographer and musical saw virtuoso.
Ben Rouse (Tenor Ukulele)
Ben is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, mandolin, violin, saxophone, flute, trumpet, banjo and ukulele. His background as an all-rounder led him to form the rock band ‘Purple Monkey’ and the folk duo ‘Teapot Junkies’. Ben has also released several albums of his own original music. Born in Cornwall, he now lives near Chichester, where he enjoys sailing, electronics and astronomy. But not all at once.
Guy Hargreaves (Concert Ukulele)
Guy is a seasoned performer and theatre maker from Lancashire with a background in acting, dance, clown, puppetry and music. He has directed shows for The National Youth Theatre and made short films about friendly ghosts for his local Carnegie library. He’s appeared in iconic British television programmes, such as ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘East Enders’ as well as penning his own solo show about letter writing, ballet dancing and growing up. Guy is a keen artist and hill climber. Sometimes he combines the two.
Leisa Rea (Soprano Ukulele)
Leisa has a rich background in performing, directing and writing for stage, television, and radio, working with several established names including Miranda Hart (BBC) Jack Rooke (Channel 4), and Live at the Apollo comic, Jen Brister. She’s produced her own solo shows and written many original songs for ‘Adams & Rea’, with whom she won the Musical Comedy Awards (2009). Leisa has Irish-Italian heritage, plays uke, guitar and percussion and lives in London.
Laura Currie (Concert Ukulele)
Laura was born in Dumfries, Scotland and joined the Orchestra shortly after graduating from Edinburgh University in English Literature. She started playing the ukulele at the age of fifteen after seeing the Ukes in concert and, inspired, fronted her first rock band a year later. Away from the Orchestra, Laura performs under the stage name Ra, writing and releasing her own original material. She has garnered an active online following for her eclectic mix of self-produced YouTube videos. She also plays piano, bass and guitar.
Laurie Higgins (Bass Ukulele)
Laurie is a professional bass player from Dorset, who has many years’ experience playing and recording with a huge variety of artists including Robbie McIntosh, Mutter Slater and Steve Jones. Having studied jazz and composition, he is busily involved in writing and arranging music as well as in music education. Laurie has provided his signature sound on tour with the Orchestra in the UK, Germany, Austria, Sweden and, now, the USA.
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County gratefully acknowledges the following donors for their generous support of the Fund for Music during the past twelve months. These contributions make up the difference between the income generated from ticket sales and the actual cost of bringing the world’s finest orchestras, soloists and chamber ensembles to Orange County and inspiring 160,000 K-12 students each year with quality music programs. Gifts range from $70 to more than $100,000, and each member of the Philharmonic Society plays a valuable role in furthering the mission of this organization.
YOUTH MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM SPONSORS
Bluebird Legacy Inc.
The Crean Foundation
Chapman University
The Davisson Family Fund for Youth Music Education
The William Gillespie Foundation
Hearst Foundation
Thomas J. Madracki Memorial Endowment
Orange County Community Foundation
Pacific Life Foundation
U.S. Bank
Anonymous
SERIES SPONSORS
Donna L. Kendall Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Howard Jelinek/Jelinek Family Trust, Eclectic Orange Series
Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation
PHILHARMONIC CIRCLE ($100,000+)
The Committees of the Philharmonic Society
Donna L. Kendall and the Donna L. Kendall Foundation
Dr. Howard Jelinek/Jelinek Family Trust
Philharmonic Foundation
Henry T. and Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation
The Segerstrom Foundation
MAESTRO CIRCLE ($50,000+)
Colburn Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Kohl
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Podlich
Gail and Robert Sebring
Ms. Dea Stanuszek
CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE ($25,000+)
Bluebird Legacy, Inc.
The Crean Foundation
Valerie and Hans Imhof
The Isidore and Penny Myers Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Smith
Al Spector and Tatjana Soli
U.S. Bank
Mr. Stephen Amendt
PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE ($10,000+)
Sabra and Peter Bordas
Mr. James J. Brophy
City of Laguna Beach
Marjorie and Roger Davisson
The Dirk Family
Sam B. and Lyndie Ersan
Karen and Don Evarts
Hung Fan and Michael Feldman
Mrs. Jean Felder
Mrs. Joanne C. Fernbach
Mr. John D. Flemming and Mr. Mark Powell
Margaret M. Gates - in memory of family
Mr. Richard A. Goodman
Ms. Joan Halvajian
Maralou Harrington
Milli Hill
Carole Innes-Owens
Gary and Betsy Jenkins
Helen and Fritz Lin
Phillip N. and Mary A. Lyons
Cheryl Hill Oakes
Lauren and Richard Packard
Mr. Patrick Paddon
Richard and Deborah Polonsky
Ellen and Vasily I. Semeniuta
Dr. Bob and Mao Shillman
Steven M. Sorenson MD and J. Eric Shay
Richard and Elizabeth Steele Endowment Fund
Waters Edge Winery
Gayle Widyolar
PLATINUM BATON ($6,000+)
Dr. Richard D. and France Campbell
Suzanne and David Chonette
Frome Family Foundation
Marcia Kay and Ron Radelet
Mr. and Mrs. James G.Reynolds
Barbara Roberts
Diane and Michael Stephens
Edward and Anna Yeung
GOLDEN BATON ($3,000+)
Mr. and Mrs. James Alexiou
Diane and John ChimoArnold
John W. Benecke and Lee Marino
Mr. Gary Capata
Carl and Kathy Greenwood
Jane and Joe Hanauer
Stephanie and Don Harrell
Ellen Pickler Harris and Ron Harris
Elizabeth Evans Henry
Ms. Elizabeth Jones
Vicki and Richard Lee
Marshall Fund for Dramatic
Arts and Classical Music
Marlene and Chris Nielsen
Tommy and Julie Phillips
Christopher Quilter
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Ridout
Ms. Harriet Roop
Samueli Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. David Seigle
Dr. Emmanuel Sharef
Dr. and Mrs. Henry Sobel
Ms. Barbara Tanner
The William Gillespie Foundation
SILVER BATON ($1,200+)
Dr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Abbott
Nancy Arnold
David and Frances Nitta Barnes
Ms. Michelle Brenner
Mr. James Carter
Dr. and Mrs. David Casey
Dr. and Mrs. Shigeru Chino
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart A. Clark
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clemmer
Crevier Family Foundation
Susan and Kevin Daly
Eve and Timothy Donovan
Dr. Harvey Eisenberg
Deborah and Cody Engle
Dr. and Mrs. Sidney A. Field
Petrina Friede
David Gartley
Dr. Anna Gonosova
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S.Gordon
Teresa Gordon
Barbara Hamkalo
Dr. Daniel E. Haspert and Mr. Gerard Curtin
Barbara and Don Howland
Anne Johnson
Dr. Nancy L. Kidder
LaDonna Kienitz
Dr. and Mrs. Tae S. Kim
Cathy and David Krinsky
Hank and Bonnie Landsberg
Janet Laurin
Mrs. Barbara Macgillivray
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Malcolm
Mrs. Linda LipmanMandelbaum
Karen McCulley
Danny and Kristy Melita
Patricia Morgan
Elizabeth Morse
Richard and Dot Nelson
Elaine and Carl Neuss
Leslie and Gus Ordonez
Michael and Meili Pinto
Susan Qaqundah
Les Redpath
Mr. and Mrs. Glen L. Reeves
Leona Aronoff-Sadacca
Deborah and Robert Schlesinger
Eva and Fred Schneider
Dr. Ellis Schwied
Igal and Diane Silber
Walter and Masami Stahr
Dr. Daniel and Jeule Stein
Edith Tonkon
Ms. Sally Westrom
CONCERTO ($600+)
Janet Lee Aengst
Richard Alexander
Beard Family Foundation
Lauren and Cor Claus
David and Victoria Collins
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Delman
Michael DeVries
Walter C. Fidler
Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Fowler
Mr. and Mrs. Donald French
Dr. and Mrs. Mark W. Gow
Terry Hanna
Grace Holdaway
Kevin Huoh
Dr. and Mrs. Kevin Ivey
Mr. Greg Kwan
Katsuhiko and Meiko Maeshige
Dr. Lani and Mr. David Martin
Mater Dei High School
Kelly and Susan McClellan
Mrs. Janine McMillion
Mrs. Gordon Niedringhaus
Mr. Keith Polakoff
Mr. and Mrs. John Prange
Deborah and Tom Rapport
Karyn Rashoff
Mrs. Vicki de Reynal
Suzanne Sandmeyer and Wes Hatfield
Carol Schwab
Ms. Barbara Sentell
Arkady and Ella Serebryannik
Mr. John Shaak
Ann D. Stephens
John and Mary Karyl Thorne
Dr. and Mrs. Harvey S.Triebwasser
Edith and Thomas Van Huss
Kathryn and David Wopschall
SONATA ($300+)
Brien Amspoker and Ellen Breitman
Dr. Lori Bassman and Mr. Harley C. Bassman
Tod and Craig Beckett-Frank
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Bedi
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Boice
Mr. Scott Brinkerhoff
Evelyn Brownstone
Mr. and Mrs. Tyke Camaras
Ross Conner and Emmett Carlson
Mr. and Mrs. Gustave S.Chabre
Mary E. Chelius
Mr. Randall K. Chun
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Compton
Peter Conlon and Deborah Shaw
Mr. Anthony Ede and Mrs. Louise Upham
Resa Evans and Dave Theil
Joan Fang
Reuben H. Fleet Foundation Fund
Cheryl Garland
Marvin Goecks, Jr.
Dr. Alan L. Goldin
Howard and Carol Hay
Marlene Hewitt
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Horgan
John and Julia Houten
Mr. Paul A. Schmidhauser and Ms. Cindy R. Hughes
Ms. Kathryn Hummel
Stanley and Mary W. Johnson Foundation
Ms. Sumie Jossi
Mr. and Mrs. Eric M. Kadison
Kari Kerr
Dr. and Mrs. William P. Klein
Elliott Kornhauser and Joe Baker
Kent and Ami Kreutziger
Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Kriz
Bruce Larson and Dinny Beringer
Dr. and Mrs. Gary C. Lawrence
Yueshii Lee
Sijie Ling
Elsie M. Little
Francis McClain and Sandra Campbell-McClain
Mr. H.W. McKee
Lisa Miller
Chris Reed and Pat O'Brien
Dr. Kevin O'Grady and
Mrs. Nella Webster O'Grady
Mary and Lee Olsen
Mr. Richard Parslow
Sidney and Nancy Petersen
Mr. Craig Poindexter
Robbie and Steve Prepas
Lucinda Prewitt
Coralie Prince
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rose
Herbert and Joyce Rosenblum
Deborah and Frank Rugani
Mrs. Kathleen Sangster
Ms. Suzanne Schaumburg
Pamela Sefton
Dr. James Shelburne
Nick and Donna Shubin
Mrs. Karen Smith
Mr. and Mrs. John Stevens
Diane Stovall
Dr. Agnes Szekere
Mary and Peter Tennyson
Ms. Carole Uhlaner and Mr. D Brownstone
Annabel Wang
Mike Tompkins and Lynn Weiser
Dr. and Mrs. Fritz C.Westerhout
Ivy Yan
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Frieda Belinfante, in memoriam
Jane K. Grier, in memoriam
John M. Rau
OFFICIAL WINE SPONSOR
Waters Edge Winery, Long Beach
List current as of 1/29/2024
The Philharmonic Society deeply appreciates the support of its sponsors and donors, and makes every effort to ensure accurate and appropriate recognition. Contact the Development Department at (949) 553-2422, ext. 233, to make us aware of any error or omission in the foregoing list.
ESTERHAZY PATRONS
The Philharmonic Society is proud to recognize our dedicated patrons who have made a multi-year Esterhazy Patron pledge. We are grateful for their support, which has been largely responsible for enabling us to present the world’s most acclaimed symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists.
Mr. and Mrs. James Alexiou
Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Anderson
A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation
Mr. Gary N. Babick
Ms. Tricia Babick
Mrs. Linda Beimfohr
Mr. and Mrs. John Carson
Cheng Family Foundation
Mrs. William P. Conlin
Mr. Warren G. Coy
Marjorie and Roger Davisson
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Delman
The Dirk Family
Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Duma
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Emery
Catherine Emmi
Lyndie Ersan
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Freedland
Margaret M. Gates—In memory of family
Mr. Milton S. Grier, Jr.
Maralou Harrington
Dr. Howard J. Jelinek
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Chapin Johnson
Dr. Siret Jurison
Donna L. Kendall Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Venelin Khristov
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Kirwan
Capt. Steve Lutz and Shala Shashani Lutz
Professor Robert and
Dr. Adeline Yen Mah
Mrs. Sharon McNalley
Dr. Vahe Meghrouni
Mrs. Michael D. Nadler
Elaine and Carl Neuss
Mr. Thomas Nielsen
Milena and Milan Panic
Helen Reinsch
Barbara Roberts
Mrs. Michelle Rohé
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Salyer
Elizabeth Segerstrom
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Smith
Mrs. Elaine Weinberg
Mr. and Mrs. George Wentworth
Bobbitt and Bill Williams
Anonymous
LEGACY CIRCLE MEMBERS
Mr. and Mrs. James Alexiou
Dr. and Mrs. Julio Aljure
Diane and John Chimo Arnold
Estate of Edra E. Brophy*
Mr. James J. Brophy
Mr. Douglas T. Burch, Jr.*
Mr. William P. Conlin* and
Mrs. Laila Conlin
Pamela Courtial*
Mr. Warren G. Coy
Richard Cullen and Robert Finnerty
Mr. Ben Dolson*
Camille and Eric Durand Trust*
Karen and Don Evarts
Erika E. Faust*
James and Judy Freimuth
Ms. Carol Frobish*
The William Gillespie Foundation*
Mr. and Mrs.* Milton S. Grier, Jr.
Mr. Edward Halvajian*
Ms. Joan Halvajian
Ms. Marie Hiebsch*
Mildred and James* Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Hull*
Mr. Leonard Jaffe
Judith* and Howard Jelinek
Dr. Burton L. Karson
Donna L. Kendall
Hank and Bonnie Landsberg
Mrs. Carla Liggett
Dr. William Lycette
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Michel
Mr. and Mrs. Bart Morrow
Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Nadler*
Eva Cebulski Olivier
Mrs. Frank M. Posch*
Marcia Kay Radelet
Marjorie Rawlins*
Mrs. Ladislaw Reday*
Elaine M. Redfield*
Mr. Richard M. Reinsch*
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Salyer
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sebring
Mr. H. Russell Smith*
Al Spector and Tatjana Soli
Ms. Dea Stanuszek
Diane and Michael Stephens
Vas Nunes Family Trust*
Betty M. Williams*
Anonymous
*Deceased
Bold type indicates gifts of $50,000 or more.
Please call the Philharmonic Society Development Department if you have included either the Philharmonic Society or the separate Philharmonic Foundation in your will or trust so that we may honor you as a member of the Legacy Circle. For more information, call (949) 553-2422, ext. 202 or visit: www.PhilharmonicSociety.org/SupportUs and click on Planned Giving.
DONORS TO THE PHILHARMONIC FORWARD CAMPAIGN
The Philharmonic Society’s campaign is the first of its kind in the organization’s history. It will grow the Society’s endowment—providing greater opportunities for the presentation of the world’s leading orchestras and other musical performances while expanding our educational and community outreach—and also establish a current needs fund for organizational sustainability and flexibility. We are proud to recognize those who are helping secure the Society’s future with a gift to the Philharmonic Forward Campaign. We are grateful for their support, which will help fuel the Society’s growth and provide a legacy of incomparable music and superb music education programs in perpetuity.
CO-CHAIRS
Donna L. Kendall and Douglas H. Smith
$1,000,000+
Mr. James J. Brophy
Donna L. Kendall and the Donna L. Kendall Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sebring
Anonymous
$500,000+
Richard Cullen and Robert Finnerty
James and Judy Freimuth
$250,000+
The Davisson Family Fund
for Youth Music Education
Margaret M. Gates—In memory of family
Mr. and Mrs.* Milton S.Grier, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Smith
$100,000+
Pete and Sabra Bordas
David and Suzanne Chonette
Karen and Don Evarts
Milli and Jim* Hill
Marlene and Chris Nielsen
Richard and Deborah Polonsky
Diane and Michael Stephens
Anonymous
$50,000+
Mr. Douglas T. Burch, Jr.*
Dr. Richard D. and France Campbell
Erika E. Faust*
Mrs. Joanne C. Fernbach
Joan Halvajian
Elaine and Carl Neuss
Marcia Kay Radelet
Mr. and Mrs. Philip E.Ridout
Ms. Dea Stanuszek
Dr. Daniel and Jeule Stein
$25,000+
Douglas Burch Classical Programs Fund
Mr. William P. Conlin* and Mrs. Laila Conlin
Mr. and Mrs. Donald French
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fuerbringer
Mr. and Mrs. Noel Hamilton
Dr. and Mrs. Chase* Roh
Up to $24,999
Eleanor and Jim* Anderson
John W. Benecke
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Burra
Ana and Ron Dufault
Hung Fan and Michael Feldman
First American Trust Kimberly Dwan Bernatz
Mr. John D. Flemming and Mr. Mark Powell
Duke Funderburke
Carolyn and John Garrett
Karin Easter Gurwell
Maralou and Jerry M.* Harrington
Mrs. Alice E. Hood
Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee -
Marina Windjammer Group
Kevin and Judith Ivey
Ms. Lula Belle Jenkins
Doris and Jim Kollias
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Kramer
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lewis
Mr. and Mrs. ThomasMadracki
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Mastrangelo
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Michel
Charles Mosmann
Carl Neisser*
Joan Rehnborg
Dr. and Mrs. Henry Sobel
Dr. and Mrs. Julio Taleisnik
Marti and Walter Unger
Gayle Widyolar, M.D.
Sandi Wright-Cordes
U.S. Bank
Anonymous
*Deceased
LEAVE A LEGACY
Estate gift s allow our long-time subscribers and donors to leave an enduring legacy that helps ensure the long-term fi nancial strength of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Please consider including us in your will, as either a percentage of your
estate or a fi xed amount. Doing so will support our commitment of presenting world-class programming and music education that enriches the cultural life of Orange County for generations to come.
For more information, please contact (949) 553-2422, ext. 233, or email support@philharmonicsociety.org.
PRESIDENT AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Tommy Phillips
ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
Emily Persinko, Artistic Operations Manager
Kathy Smith, Piano Technician
DEVELOPMENT
Mark Saville, Vice President of Development
Halim Kim, Senior Director of Development
Fatima Rizvi-Flores, Individual Giving Manager & Board Liaison
Nicole Gonzales, Special Events Manager
Paige Frank, Development Coordinator
EDUCATION
Katherine Yang, Vice President of Education & Community Engagement
Courtney McKinnon, Manager of Volunteer & Education Services
Jennifer Niedringhaus, Education & Engagement Operations Manager
Chloe Hopper, Education Associate & OCYS Coordinator
Penny Arroyo, Huntington Harbour Office Manager & Finance Coordinator
FINANCE
Roan Alombro, Vice President of Finance
Fay Hu, Finance & HR Associate
MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Jean Hsu, COO / Vice President of Communications
Daniel Acosta, Director of Marketing
Marie Songco-Torres, Senior Marketing & PR Manager
Adaora Onyebeke, Marketing & PR Associate
PATRON SERVICES
Jonathan Mariott, Director of Patron Services
Angelica Nicolas, Marketing & Patron Services Manager
Randy Polevoi, Musical Concierge
ORANGE COUNTY YOUTH SYMPHONY AND STRING ENSEMBLE
Johannes Müller Stosch, Music Director & OCYS Conductor
Lucy Lu, OCYSE Conductor & OCYS Strings Coach
Danielle Culhane, Operations & Personnel Manager
Hana Kurihara, Operations Assistant
OFFICERS
John Flemming, Chair/CEO *
Donna L. Kendall, Deputy Board Chair *
Sabra Bordas, Vice Chair *
Stephen Amendt, Secretary/Treasurer *
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John W. Benecke, Development Chair
Sabra Bordas, Nominating and Governance Chair *
Jim Brophy
Lauren Claus
Hung Fan, Laguna Beach Music Festival Chair
Jean Felder, Artistic and Marketing Chair
Margaret M. Gates
Kari Kerr, President, The Committees *
Douglas H. Smith, Member at Large *
Steven M. Sorenson, MD
Kathryn Wopschall
Sandi Wright-Cordes, Orange County Youth Symphony Chair
IN MEMORIAM
Douglas T. Burch, Jr.
Jane Grier
Wesley Kruse
* Executive Committee
George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
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