Claremont Symphony 2005-2006 Season

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Conductors Carry the Baton

James Fahringer, Principal Conductor, has been a member of the CSO family for more than 40 years. He has been music director of the Claremont Symphony for 27 years and is also co- music director of the Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Fahringer taught music in the Pomona schools for 25 years. He is a graduate of Cal State LA and USC. Gary Iida, Associate Conductor, has been a member of the CSO as trumpeter and percussionist for more than 25 years. He has taught music in Claremont for 25 years and is currently adjunct professor of music at El Camino College and Pasadena City College. Dr. Iida's music degrees are from Cal State Fresno, University of Redlands, and USC.

Jacob van Velzen, Associate Conductor, received his Bachelor and Master's degrees from California State University at Fullerton where he studied conducting and French horn. In the 1980's he served as conductor of the High Desert Symphony Orchestra and was on the music faculty at Victor Valley College in Victorville. He has been an active member of the CSO for the past 12 years. Gina Shaw, distinguished mezzo- soprano soloist, has performed many times with the Claremont Symphony Orchestra. She earned her Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University, and is the Music Director of the Westwood United Methodist Church.

Larry Lowder, Associate Conductor, joined CSO as principal bassoonist in 1998. He recently retired as professor of music at Fullerton College, where he taught music theory and musicianship and conducted ensembles and theater productions for 28 years. His music degrees are from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Suzanne Edwards is serving as co-music director of the CYSO for the second year. She is the principal violist with the Claremont Symphony and has played both violin and viola with the orchestra for over 30 years. She was an instrumental music instructor for the Charter Oak Unified School District, retiring in 2003. She received a Fine Arts degree from the School of Music at Ohio University, having done extensive post graduate studies at Cal State Fullerton. Mrs. Edwards teaches privately and is currently serving as a music consultant with the Claremont Unified School District.

Ray Walden, CYSO co-music director, taught band and orchestra in public schools in California and Oregon and played professionally for nearly 50 years in shows at Disneyland, Melody Land, and with his own dance band. He plays trumpet in CSO. His music degree is from the University of Oregon.

Home | About Us | Conductors | Soloists | Musicians | Support | Youth Symphony | Prior_Seasons

	James Fahringer, Principal Conductor, has been a member of the CSO family for more than 40 years. He has been music director of the Claremont Symphony for 27 years and is also co- music director of the Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Fahringer taught music in the Pomona schools for 25 years. He is a graduate of Cal State LA and USC.		Gary Iida, Associate Conductor, has been a member of the CSO as trumpeter and percussionist for more than 25 years. He has taught music in Claremont for 25 years and is currently adjunct professor of music at El Camino College and Pasadena City College. Dr. Iida's music degrees are from Cal State Fresno, University of Redlands, and USC.
	Jacob van Velzen, Associate Conductor, received his Bachelor and Master's degrees from California State University at Fullerton where he studied conducting and French horn. In the 1980's he served as conductor of the High Desert Symphony Orchestra and was on the music faculty at Victor Valley College in Victorville. He has been an active member of the CSO for the past 12 years.		Gina Shaw, distinguished mezzo- soprano soloist, has performed many times with the Claremont Symphony Orchestra. She earned her Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University, and is the Music Director of the Westwood United Methodist Church.
	Larry Lowder, Associate Conductor, joined CSO as principal bassoonist in 1998. He recently retired as professor of music at Fullerton College, where he taught music theory and musicianship and conducted ensembles and theater productions for 28 years. His music degrees are from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.		Suzanne Edwards is serving as co-music director of the CYSO for the second year. She is the principal violist with the Claremont Symphony and has played both violin and viola with the orchestra for over 30 years. She was an instrumental music instructor for the Charter Oak Unified School District, retiring in 2003. She received a Fine Arts degree from the School of Music at Ohio University, having done extensive post graduate studies at Cal State Fullerton. Mrs. Edwards teaches privately and is currently serving as a music consultant with the Claremont Unified School District.
	Ray Walden, CYSO co-music director, taught band and orchestra in public schools in California and Oregon and played professionally for nearly 50 years in shows at Disneyland, Melody Land, and with his own dance band. He plays trumpet in CSO. His music degree is from the University of Oregon.