Graziela, Author at Pasadena Community Orchestra

2018 – 2019 Concert Season

August 8, 2018

08 Aug 2018

Something old, something new … that’s what you will find in our exciting new season at PCO! We are really looking forward to playing some of the greatest pieces in the literature – as well as works new to us, by well-known composers. Our soloists have chosen outstanding concertos, and of course our Young Artist Winner winner will add a surprise in May! The PCO is a wonderful group of very talented musicians who excel at expressing the music in everything they play.
Come and share the music, the excitement, and the energy of the PCO!

in Press /by Graziela

Amy Hammond and Max Hammond, Concert Review

May 18, 2018

18 May 2018

Our Experience Working with PCO

Our family’s experience with the Pasadena Community Orchestra was really lovely. They run a very well organized Young Artist competition, which my son participated in two years in a row and had the honor of winning this year. The conductor and other judges are very supportive during the competition itself, which is so important in developing young artists’ confidence. Even the year my son did not win, he received a personal email from the conductor with specific feedback about his audition. He looked forward to returning and was thrilled to win this year.

Max Hammond Performs Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 with PCO, May 11

April 29, 2018

29 Apr 2018

PCO performs Ippolotov-Ivanov’s “Procession of the Sardar”, Holst’s “Jupiter Op. 32”, Borodin’s “In the Steppes of Central Asia” and “Polovetsyan March” as well as Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” with Young Artist Competition Winner, Max Hammond, under the baton of Music Director Beth Pflueger.

Dr. Nikolaus Keelaghan Performs Rare Concerto for Bass Drum with PCO, March 16

March 4, 2018

04 Mar 2018

PCO performs Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz”, Wagner’s “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral”, Franck’s “The Accursed Huntsman” and Gabriel Prokofiev’s “Concerto for Bass Drum” with Dr. Nikolaus Keelaghan as Bass Drum Soloist under the baton of Music Director Beth Pflueger.

RIP, Alan Reinecke

November 14, 2017

14 Nov 2017

Dear Friends,

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Alan Reinecke.

Alan Reinecke, son of PCO founders Wayne and Sue Reinecke, former PCO Music Director from 2008-2013, and percussionist/timpanist for 30 years, died November 4 after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Alan was born February 6, 1961, in Anaheim, California, and grew up in Arcadia. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance at USC in 1983. In the 1980s he coached percussion classes at Arcadia High School and Mountain View High School.

He was music director of the Pasadena Community Orchestra from 2008 to 2013, succeeding his father, the founding director. Alan had been the orchestra’s principal percussionist and timpanist from its founding in 1983; he held similar positions in the Whittier-based Rio Hondo Symphony for more than 30 years. He also played for St. Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra (Pacific Palisades), the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra, the Redlands Symphony and many other Los Angeles-area music groups. He worked most recently as an information technologist for Panda Restaurant Group. He previously held similar positions at Toyota of Torrance, Delta Dental of California, and 20th Century Fox Studios.

Alan is survived by his wife, Fatima; stepson Lance Corporal Shawn Mortazevi of the U.S. Marines, and stepdaughter Noura Mortazevi; his parents, Wayne and Susanne Reinecke; sister and brother-in-law Janet and Wayne Kawamoto; three nieces and two nephews. Another sister, Lynn Horton, preceded him in death (1995).

PCO music director, board of directors, and musicians extend their heartfelt condolences to Fatima and her family and to Wayne and Sue Reinecke and their family in their loss. We are grateful for the many years we spent in Alan’s company and for his generous gifts of time and his talents to this orchestra.

In lieu of flowers, the families ask that memorial gifts may be made to the Pasadena Community Orchestra, the Convalescent Aid Society or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Read Full Obituary Here

in Press /by Graziela

2017 – 2018 Concert Season

August 11, 2017

11 Aug 2017

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of music in our lives! Music inspires, excites, motivates, influences, and unites us as humans. The energy of live performance enables all of us to connect more intimately with each composer, each work of art. The PCO musicians look forward to being your partner in creating this musical experience! No matter what literature each concert features, you can expect to leave with new favorite works and composers, and new appreciation for music you already love. See you soon!

in Press /by Graziela

Final Concert of the Season

July 1, 2017

01 Jul 2017

Our final concert of the season took place on Saturday June 10th at Sierra Madre Memorial Park. We are thankful to all of our wonderful donors and supporters who make our concerts possible and to all of the performers who volunteer their time and energy to each event. This particular park concert was special becuase of the fun collorabation with the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry! To view photos from the park concert click HERE. To view a complete list of donors for the 2016-2-17 season, click HERE.

Sign up below for our enewsletter for information about our next concert November 2017! Have a great summer everyone!

in Press, Uncategorized /by Graziela

Pasadena Showcase House of Design

February 6, 2017

06 Feb 2017

Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts has recently awarded us a grant and we would like to encourage you to support their fundraising efforts by purchasing tickets and visiting the 2017 Showcase House of Design. April 23 – May 21, 2017. Purchase tickets HERE.

in Award, Press /by Graziela

2016 – 2017 Concert Season

August 28, 2016

28 Aug 2016

Welcome to the new season of the PCO! Nothing matches the experience of live music, and this wonderful group of musicians will be bringing you exciting performances of the best of orchestral literature. We want to share with you the magic of music from around the world, from composers past and present, and works featuring great soloists, along with our own wonderful musicians. Please join us! We’ll look forward to seeing you at the concerts!

in Press /by Graziela

Annual Family Concert in the Park – Free

May 27, 2016

27 May 2016

KICK OFF YOUR SUMMER (AND YOUR SHOES!) AT A FREE CONCERT IN THE PARK!

Join Pasadena Community Orchestra for a relaxing evening of “user-friendly” classical music on the grass.

Saturday, June 11, 6:30 p.m., Sierra Madre Memorial Park, Sierra Madre

Pasadena Community Orchestra’s summer Concert in the Park presents a rare opportunity for the whole family to enjoy accessible orchestral music for free in an easygoing environment. Long-time Sierra Madre resident Bethany Pfleuger leads these accomplished amateur musicians in a program of marches, light classics, film scores and Americana in the band shell of Sierra Madre Memorial Park. Picnics on the lawn, kids playing or taking a close-up look at the musicians on stage, and even a kid-centric “children’s march” around the park mean there’s something to please everyone. It all happens in the band shell at Sierra Madre Memorial Park at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11th.

New this year, visual entertainment will accompany one of the pieces: the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry presents a stunning presentation to accompany that classic horseback ride, Franz Von Suppé’s “Light Cavalry Overture.” Not your childhood puppet show, the Guild’s artistry combines the grace of ribbon dance and flag twirling with the drama of The Lion King-style giant puppets to illustrate the music’s story. Learn more about the Guild’s shows at http://laguildofpuppetry.org/.

This year’s concert has another “first” — the orchestra presents the world premier performance of a work by young, local composer Richard Bruner. “The Dark Journey” will remind listeners of John Williams and other great film composers: you’ll have bragging rights when Mr. Bruner becomes a household name SoCal!

The concert retains everything that has made it a cherished summer tradition: you can picnic and lounge on the grass with family and friends while enjoying live music. Kids can get up and “get the wiggles out” whenever they need to, and can also get a casual introduction to classical music (they – and you — can even talk with the musicians afterwards). The venue is easy to get to, and parking and admission are free: sort of a Hollywood Bowl done easy and local.

For 33 years, PCO has been bringing fine classical music to the community free of charge (donations are welcome). Well-trained musicians provide a high-quality musical experience. Sierra Madre Memorial Park is located at 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., one block east of Baldwin Ave. Street parking is free (arrive early for closest parking). Bring your own picnic, and chairs or blankets for sitting.

For further information, please contact PCO at 626.445.6708 or publicity@pcomusic.org.

in Concert /by Graziela