American Beethoven Society
The American Beethoven Society is an international organization dedicated to the creative genius of Beethoven, whose music speaks to the heart and mind of humanity.
The Society’s primary work is the creation and support of a comprehensive collection of Beethoven materials at the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies, which is housed at San Jose State University, San Jose, California. The Center is the largest research institution in the Americas devoted solely to the life, works, and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven.
Lyric Theatre
Lyric Theatre is a performing group of over 150 dedicated volunteers who have committed themselves to the art of stagecraft. Community members, students and professional quality performers grace our stage, play in our orchestra, and work behind the scenes, giving their talents and sharing our love of operetta, musical theater, and especially Gilbert & Sullivan.
Mission Chamber Orchestra
Bringing South Bay audiences spirited performances of the best contemporary works as well as the finest music from the classical tradition at affordable prices, the Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose, now conducted by their second musical director Juan Palacios, is a vital musical force in Silicon Valley. The orchestra is known for presenting exciting soloists, for its outreach to various ethnic groups through diverse programming, and for its collaborations with other arts organizations. To encourage the continuation of musical studies among young people, the orchestra also invites string players from local high schools to appear in side-by-side performances on regular MCOSJ programs.
The New Millennium Chamber Orchestra
The New Millennium Chamber Orchestra was founded in February of 2012 by a small group of accomplished musicians in the mid-Peninsula area who wanted to share their talents playing exciting, entertaining music in a chamber orchestra environment. We’re a diverse group of all ages – busy professionals, teachers, students, retired persons – all with a love of playing great orchestral music together for Peninsula audiences.
Nova Vista Symphony
Nova Vista Symphony, based in Sunnyvale, has been a South Bay staple since 1966. Performing a wide variety of classical favorites and showcasing fantastic soloists, Nova Vista Symphony is recognized for its quality musicianship, its entertaining repertoire and its unbridled enthusiasm.
San Jose Chamber Music Society
SJCMS's mission is to present chamber music concerts in an ideal setting performed by top ensembles from the Bay Area, across America, and around the world. We want to educate our audience through pre-concert talks, post-concert Q & A, program notes, and meet-the-composer experiences. We aim to educate students in chamber music by presenting outreach by some of our ensembles for San Jose public schools, and by arranging performer residency activities for San Jose State University music students. Finally we aim to support chamber music in our region by publicizing other nearby chamber music concerts, cooperating in marketing with fellow presenters, and presenting joint programs with The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies, San Jose State University.
San Jose Metropolitan Band
For over 50 years the San Jose Metropolitan Band has served Silicon Valley by presenting concerts to the community and at civic events as well as providing the opportunity for amateur musicians to rehearse and perform in a large symphonic ensemble. The band rehearses on Monday evenings at Obi Studios, located at 320 Piercy Road, San Jose, CA and rehearsals are open to all wind and percussion musicians without audition. The band comfortably sight reads grade-3 music, typically plays grade 4-5 and occasionally tackles grade 6 compositions. In a typical year the band presents two formal indoor concerts and at least four outdoor concerts, including the Morgan Hill 4th of July parade.
San Jose Symphonic Choir
San José Symphonic Choir (SJSC) has performed glorious choral music in the South
Bay and internationally since its founding in 1924 and has sung under the inspiring
leadership of Maestro Leroy Kromm since 1985. We aim to enrich, educate and entertain our audience, as well as preserve and promote choral music of the highest quality. SJSC also wants to recruit vocal talent and develop musicianship and provide a community of fellowship for all associated with the organization.
San Jose Wind Symphony
San Jose Wind Symphony (SJWS) has been a mainstay of the South Bay musical
community for over 66 years. Founded by Darrell Johnston in 1958, SJWS was inspired
by Maestro Johnston’s friend and mentor, Frederick Fennell, who created the Eastman
Wind Ensemble and is widely regarded as the father of the modern wind band.
From its inception, SJWS has been a beacon to talented professionals and amateurs
who desire to play the best in wind ensemble literature with other accomplished
musicians. In its storied history, the band has had only three conductors: Maestro
Johnston (44 years), Dr. Edward C. Harris (20 years), and our new music and artistic
director, Dr. David Vickerman.
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SJWS is the West Coast's premier wind symphony, providing high-quality musical
performances for audiences of all ages. Each of its five concerts, performed per year at
venues throughout the Bay Area, is a mixture of contemporary, classical and popular
works for wind ensemble or symphonic band.
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Our 2024-25 season theme is "Dedication," a word with multiple meanings that captures the essence of SJWS: a devotion to musical excellence, an ongoing engagement with
the community, and a tribute to those who have shaped our ensemble’s remarkable
journey.
Dr. David Vickerman
Music and Artistic Director
Santa Clara Performing Arts Foundation
Inciting random acts of culture. That's one way to describe our mission. We focus the power of innovative live performances and shared cultural experiences to build community. We don't try to duplicate work that others are already doing well -- giving grants, sponsoring arts education, funding performances, and supporting specific art forms. We focus instead on promoting and sharing the skill and creativity of local performers and performing companies -- and doing that in ways that engage people socially, because that's what builds audience and support.
To do this we're partnering with local performers and performance companies to help bring their artistic visions to life. We do this in several ways.
Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Harp Society
The mission of our Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Harp Society is to celebrate our legacy, inspire excellence, and empower the next generation of harpists. The Chapter exists to provide opportunities for local harpists to perform and develop their skills, and to showcase upcoming and prominent harpists. The Chapter also exists to cultivate, promote, and sustain the harp and its history; to provide inspiration for and resources to programs that support the mission of the Chapter, and to foster an appreciation for the rich legacy of and future possibilities for the harp.
South Bay Guitar Society
The South Bay Guitar Society presents classical and related guitar styles to people of all
cultures, ages, abilities, and economic means and provides performance opportunities to
professional and amateur musicians. Our events are affordable and indeed some are free to
the public. SBGS typically offers 6 ticketed concerts each year, free monthly open mics, 18-22
annual outreach visits to the schools with local and touring artists, master classes by touring
artists, and free lectures / demonstrations. SBGS also hosts an annual GuitarFest.
South Bay Philharmonic
South Bay Philharmonic is unique among “community orchestras” because it accepts players with a wide range of skill levels, from perhaps “high-school level” to near “professional.” Though always striving to provide the best level of performance possible, SBP offers a low-stress and welcoming environment for all members. The group presents three concerts per year featuring orchestral repertoire as well as short chamber works.
Winchester Orchestra of San Jose
The Winchester Orchestra was founded in 1999 by music director Henry Mollicone and board members, but the orchestra’s roots extend back more than 50 years. In the late 1960s, West Valley College founded a symphony orchestra that many community members joined the group at that time, some of which play with this group to this day, and it evolved into a non-profit group in the early 1980s. West Valley Symphony was disbanded in 1985, with several members of the group joining the new Santa Clara University Orchestra, which was being formed by music director Henry Mollicone. The orchestra left SCU in 1999 and became The Winchester Orchestra, an independent non-profit community orchestra. Mollicone continued with the orchestra until 2014.
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Most recently, in 2023, the orchestra was led by three wonderful guest conductors, including James Beauton, who was selected to lead the group going forward.
