MEET THE SYMPHONY

John Farrer, Music Director

Maestro John Farrer brings an unprecedented level of experience and excellent selections of classical music for the enjoyment of audiences in the Santa Maria Valley.  Maestro Farrer shares his conducting talents with the orchestras of Bakersfield, California and Roswell, New Mexico, where he received the Governor’s Award for Excellence and Achievement, that state’s highest arts honor.  In addition, he is a trustee of the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and a member of the Los Angeles Young Musicians Foundation Music Advisory Board.

Mr. Farrer has served as cover conductor for the San Francisco Symphony and led that orchestra in a performance at Stern Grove before 20,000 listeners in 1995.  Mr. Farrer is also Senior Guest Conductor of the English Sinfonia based in London and has led the London and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, the Bournemouth Symphony, and the London Mozart Players.

His Tchaikovsky recording with the London Philharmonic Orchestra received critical praise and led to recordings of Dvořák with the Royal Philharmonic.  His recording of Copland and Gershwin was re-released by Sanctuary Classics, and his CD of English string music was reissued in 2006.  Mr. Farrer’s new recording of the Brahm’s Symphony No. 2 with the New Queen’s Hall Orchestra of London has been enthusiastically acclaimed, and with that orchestra in 2006, he led a special program benefiting the National Osteoporosis Society of Britain, attended by the orchestra’s patron, the Duchess of Cornwall.

In January of 2007 Mr. Farrer joined the Board of Directors of the Conductors Guild, which represents the interests of conductors on an international level.

Sharon Cooper, Concertmistress

When Sharon Cooper is not busily involved choreographing bow strokes, or working with Maestro Farrer, her competent fellow musicians and industrious board members, she is an active freelance violinist throughout central and southern California.

Her love affair with the violin began when she was 5 years old and
saw her mother, an accomplished pianist, rehearsing with a violinist.  She began learning violin shortly thereafter, studied chamber music at San Francisco Conservatory, and holds a BA degree in Music from Stanford University.  Her coaches have included Kathleen Lenski, Russell Cantor, David Abel and Jenny Rudin.

Sharon has performed throughout California, Europe and Australia
in many recitals, chamber ensembles, and orchestras.  She has been featured soloist with numerous orchestras.  In addition to her position in Santa Maria, she is regularly concertmistress of Cabrillo Music Theatre (Thousand Oaks), and the Moorpark Symphony.

Sharon can frequently be heard on the soundtrack of Fox TV’s animated features as well as other TV, movie, and diverse musical recordings.

She lives on the central coast in Ventura with her husband Bob and 2 cats.

The Burnished Brass Quartet was formed in the summer of 1988 for their debut presented by the Lompoc Music Association.  The Quartet blends the talents of four gifted musicians from the San Luis Obispo Symphony and the Santa Maria Philharmonic Orchestra.  Their individual musical experiences are so varied that the combined effect is expertise in a wide range of musical styles, as is effectively demonstrated by the selections chosen in their performances.  The Burnished Brass Quartet has performed for many events, both public and private, including the Paso Robles Library evening concert series, the Cuesta College Portraits in Music series, in the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, and in the Concerts in the Mall series at the Santa Maria Town Center.  In addition, they perform outreach concerts for children throughout San Luis Obispo County.  Their repertoire ranges from the Renaissance to the contemporary, from music inspired by religious observances to modern jazz standards and humorous works.

Hailing from the Central Coast of California, Café Musique presents a musical collage of waltz, tango, gypsy, and folk.  Their unique sound is defined by the beautiful and driving composition of violin, accordion, bass, guitar and percussion, along with equally compelling vocals that are reminiscent of music from previous eras.

Their first CD, "The Dancer", was met by rave reviews.  Glen Starkey, music critic for San Luis Obispo's independent weekly New Times said it best - "The debut album of Café Musique is wicked good! I seriously can't say enough good things about this album, which demonstrates a level of musicianship and an emotional impact rarely found. This is a must have recording for fans of Gypsy Folk!"

Café Musique features accordionist, Duane Inglish; guitarist/vocalist, Craig Nuttycombe; violinist, Brynn Albanese; and percussionist/bassist/vocalist, Piper Heisig.

Brynn Albanese has toured and performed world-wide sharing her exhilarating style with audiences from Boston to the Netherlands.  A graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music, her first musical endeavor was that of concertmaster for Maryland’s Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.  She has also served as concertmaster and soloist for the Tanglewood Festival Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic, and as principal second and soloist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.  Brynn is a fearless musician unrestrained by a single discipline.  She savors the opportunity to discover new musical experiences in all genres.

Piper Heisig began playing music professionally in 1977 and teaching in 1987. She can be heard singing and playing bass and/or percussion in a number of bands around the California Central Coast. A veteran of many musical genres, including: Old Time, Bluegrass, Country, Western Swing, Trad-Jazz, Swing, Blues and World/Folk, her name has appeared on many band rosters over the years, including "Those Darn Accordions" and "Cats & Jammers".  Among the many musical hats she wears, are those of performer, recording artist, song writer and record producer.

Since moving to San Luis Obispo in 1971, Duane Inglish has been involved in many musical endeavors.  He was a founding member and served as director of the Live Oak Music Festival, has owned a local nightclub which featured live music, has helped produce countless shows and concerts featuring folk, blues and bluegrass music and hosted “Basically Bluegrass” at KCBX Public Radio for sixteen years. Some of his performance credits include being banjoist and accordionist for “The Friends of Ned Perkins” and “All Wound Up”.   Most recently he has been holding down the accordion spot with the San Luis Obispo group, “Hot & Cool Orchestra”, a quartet specializing in gypsy, zydeco, blues and swing originals.

Craig Nuttycombe began his musical career in the 1960’s playing rhythm guitar in the surf band “The New Dimensions” while attending Hollywood High School.  He went on to become half of the acoustic duo “Lambert and Nuttycombe” who’s first album “At Home” was released in 1970 on A&M Records.  Three years later the duo released their final album “As You Will” on the 20th Century label.  In 1978, back at A&M, Craig’s solo album, “It’s Just a Lifetime” was released.  Craig has worked with some well known musicians including members of “Fleetwood Mac”, “Three Dog Night” and “The Eagles”.  Since moving to the Central Coast in the early 1980’s, Craig continues to pen new tunes reflecting the peculiarities of life.

The Candlelight Strings was founded by Bette Byers and offers a wide variety of musical opportunities for you.  Strolling musicians perform Programs and Requests: Popular and Classical Selections with songs from many countries, Gypsy music, with Iranian Jewish weddings being one of their specialties.  Candlelight Strings also provide elegant Chamber Ensembles of soloists, duos, trios, quartets and Chamber Orchestra with various instrumental combinations of violins, viola, cello, flute, guitar and harp.

The Central Coast Strings was founded by Lynne Garrett and is a consortium of musicians from the Santa Maria Philharmonic Orchestra.  They perform at a variety of events and functions, and their works include music of classic to contemporary composers.  Pictured are Back: Marsha Botello (Cello), Jed Beebe (Viola), Tracy Sparks (Cello) Sharon Cooper (Violin) Janet Bergamo (Cello); Front: Lynne Garrett (Violin), Tom Turner (Viola).

Santa Maria Winds was founded by Carol Houchens, Dr. Lawrence Lee, and Patricia Lynn, who are active members in the Santa Maria Philharmonic Orchestra.  Members of the wind ensemble perform throughout the Central Coast and California for numerous events and functions.

Carol Houchens received a Bachelor's degree from the University of California at Riverside and earned a Master's degree in Flute Performance from the University of Southern California.  For many years, Carol taught flute, both privately and in the Music Department at UC Riverside.  She has played with the Riverside Symphony, San Bernardino Chamber Orchestra, Redlands Bowl Orchestra, Palm Desert Symphony, Santa Barbara Opera Orchestra, PCPA Theaterfest, the Lompoc Pops Orchestra, and the Santa Maria Philharmonic.  Carol resides in Solvang and is the Director of Academic Administration at UCSB.

Kelli Reynolds received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo and her Master of Music Degree in French Horn Performance from UCSB.  She currently plays with the Santa Maria Winds Quintet, the San Luis Obispo Symphony, the Santa Maria Philharmonic, PCPA Theaterfest and many other musical institutions on the Central Coast.  Kelli is a resident of Atascadero and works full-time as the office Manager at KCBX Public Radio in San Luis Obispo.

Gena Laird grew up in Santa Maria and studied music since the age of five.  She plays piano, clarinet, saxophone, and percussion/drums.  Her parents, who are musicians, Thomas and Patricia Lynn, had a big influence on her desire to get involved with music.  Gena’s private music teachers were Juanell Estes, Gerald Lusk, and Louise Frye, all on piano, and Virginia Wright on clarinet, Marshall Granger and John Beck on percussion, and Jimmy Stromberg on drum set.  She graduated from Loma Linda University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene.  Gena works as a registered dental hygienist for two dentists in Santa Maria.  She performs or has performed with the Cuesta Wind Ensemble, SLO Wind Ensemble, P.C.P.A. Theaterfest, Allan Hancock Concert Band, Santa Maria Philharmonic, SLO Symphony, Lompoc Pops Orchestra, Santa Maria Winds Quintet and the Worship Band for church.  She is an accompanist and plays for various soloists in the area.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dr. Lawrence Lee was a member of the Honolulu Symphony and the Honolulu City and County's Royal Hawaiian Band.  He left music to pursue a career in dentistry and the Air Force.  After returning from his last overseas tour, he played with the Trinity University Community Orchestra in San Antonio.  He became involved with the musical community when he transferred to Santa Maria and is presently with the Allan Hancock Concert Band, Lompoc Pops Orchestra, and the Santa Maria Winds Ensemble, which he helped to form.  He also performed with various area wind ensembles and orchestras.

Patricia Lynn has served the Central Coast musically for over 45 years.  Her studies include an Associate of Arts degree in Music and private study on Oboe and English Horn with Wayne Asbury, Kimaree Gilad, John Ellis, John Winter, and a Master Class with David Weiss.  She has played with the San Luis Obispo County Symphony, Cuesta Wind Ensemble, PCPA Theaterfest, Central Coast Chamber Orchestra, Santa Maria Philharmonic, AHC Concert Band, Lompoc Pops, and Grace Festival Orchestra.  In addition to playing woodwinds, Patricia enjoys ringing English Whitechapel Handbells.  Patricia is a founding member of the Santa Maria Winds Quintet.  Currently, she teaches woodwinds privately and many of her students are scholarship winners.

Tumbleweed - the above-ground part of a plant that, once mature and dry, disengages from the root and tumbles away in the wind.  Like its name, Tumbleweed plays music that just tumbles along and creates a wonderful, upbeat feeling deep in your soul, from the tips of your toes to the top of your head.  There’s nothing like hearing them live, for LIVE MUSIC MAKES IT SPECIAL.  Weddings, Barnraisings, Hoedowns, Hangin’s.  We play Old-Time, Country, Bluegrass, Swing, Old Standards, Blues, Cajun, Irish, Polkas, Waltzes.  You name it!  Pictured from L-R, Patricia Shields (Violin), Chuck and Julie Overholtzer (Bass and Accordion).