Long Beach Symphony Orchestra

The Long Beach Symphony is a symphony orchestra based in Long Beach, California. Founded in 1935 as an amateur "recreational ensemble", it became fully professional in 1966 and hired the Cuban conductor Alberto Bolet two years later.[1] The orchestra faced serious financial troubles in the mid-1980s and cancelled an entire season in 1984-85. In 1989, pioneering female conductor JoAnn Falletta took over[2] and served for 11 years.[3] Starting in 2001, the orchestra was led by Enrique Diemecke, a native of Mexico, who announced his departure in November 2013.[4][5] Eckart Preu was appointed Music Director in August 2016.[6]

The Long Beach Symphony (LBS) presents six Classics Concerts and five Orchestra POPS! events and several free Sounds and Spaces Concerts at different venues in the Long Beach Arena. The LBS has 83 tenured musicians, including many of Southern California's first-call studio players.

Music programs

Known for its comprehensive music-education programs, the LBSO reaches more than 30,000 students each year, including the Miller Foundation Symphony Concerts for Young People. In partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District, every 4th and 5th grader is bussed to the Terrace Theater for four symphony concerts over two days.

References
  1. Mark Swed, "Music review: Long Beach Symphony begins 75th season", Los Angeles Times, October 18, 2009.
  2. Daniel Cariaga, "Long Beach's JoAnn Falletta Offers an Alternative", Los Angeles Times, September 10, 1989.
  3. Mark Swed, "JoAnn Falletta Conducts an Artful Farewell", Los Angeles Times, June 12, 2000.
  4. Richard Guzman, "Long Beach Symphony Orchestra’s Diemecke is stepping down", Press-Telegram, November 15, 2013.
  5. "Long Beach symphony conductor stepping down", Orange County Register, November 16, 2013.
  6. Long Beach Press Telegram, August 5, 2016
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