The Pasadena Community Orchestra is a dedicated group of musicians who volunteer their talent and time. The orchestra rehearses every Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM from early September to mid-June, and all players need to commit to regular attendance.
PCO would like to thank the following sponsors for helping to make our final concert of the season, June 8th, a fun and successful event!
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!
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.
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.
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.
As you deck the halls with boughs of holly and brave the holiday crowds (and Internet), please consider giving a year-end donation to Pasadena Community Orchestra so that we can continue to offer free concerts to the public.
Thanks to your support, PCO has been able to, 1 – engage excellent guest musicians for our concerts, and to continue our relationship with our wonderful Music Director, Bethany Pflueger. 2 – Rent our lovely concert site with comfortable seating and spacious parking, and to provide a light reception after our concerts. 3 – To rent new and unusual music beyond the public domain.
We at PCO appreciate your continued support and thank you for coming to our concerts. This gives us the opportunity to bring beautiful music to life and to give it to others.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Eli Broad
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Bette Solomon
President, Board of Directors
Pasadena Community Orchestra
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.
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!
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!
Join PCO!June 21, 2019 - 3:39 am
Special ThanksJune 17, 2019 - 3:18 am
Concert Review by Annelle K. GregoryJune 15, 2019 - 3:03 am
2018 – 2019 Concert SeasonAugust 8, 2018 - 7:46 amAmy Hammond and Max Hammond, Concert ReviewMay 18, 2018 - 2:10 pm
Max Hammond Performs Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 with PCO, May 11April 29, 2018 - 10:44 am
Dr. Nikolaus Keelaghan Performs Rare Concerto for Bass Drum with PCO, March 16March 4, 2018 - 7:30 am
Happy Holidays from PCO!December 16, 2017 - 7:45 am
RIP, Alan ReineckeNovember 14, 2017 - 1:58 pm
2017 – 2018 Concert SeasonAugust 11, 2017 - 2:53 pm
Final Concert of the SeasonJuly 1, 2017 - 5:08 pm
YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION WINNER RUFUS BORDAL JOINS PASADENA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA IN WORLD-SPANNING CONCERTMay 2, 2017 - 2:36 pm
Pasadena Showcase House of DesignFebruary 6, 2017 - 1:11 pm
Violin Phenomenon Aubree Oliverson Returns to Pasadena Community Orchestra with Wieniawski ConcertoOctober 28, 2016 - 11:39 pm
2016 – 2017 Concert SeasonAugust 28, 2016 - 1:35 am
Annual Family Concert in the Park – FreeMay 27, 2016 - 4:12 pm
2016 Young Artist Competition Winner Announced!April 21, 2016 - 3:37 pm
Support the 2016 Pasadena Showcase House of DesignMarch 22, 2016 - 10:08 am
Cello Soloist Catherine Biagini Joins PCO in Globe-Spanning ConcertMarch 2, 2016 - 11:23 pm
Reserve Your Seat to the 5th Annual Chamber Music Gala by February 24th!January 17, 2016 - 7:45 pm
