Claremont Symphony 2005-2006 Season

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Conductors Carry the Baton

The Claremont Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce five talented musicians and conductors. All have been instrumental in expanding and moving the orchestral program forward for many years.

Jacob van Velzen and his wife, Kathy, are long-time members of the Claremont Symphony Orchestra. He was born in the city of Rotterdam, in The Netherlands and raised in Southern California after his family immigrated here in the late 1950s. He attended California State University at Fullerton in the early 1970s where he studied the French horn with Professor Todd Miller and conducting with the late Professor Benton Minor. Mr. van Velzen holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Arts in Education. In the 1980s he served as conductor of the High Desert Symphony Orchestra and was a part time music faculty member at Victor Valley College in the Victorville, California. He has recently retired after teaching both music and the social sciences for 33 years in the California public schools. 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.

Robert Sage's primary piano studies were with Lillian Steuber of U.S.C. where he received his D.M.A. in Piano. After graduation he studied with Harry Datyner of the Geneva Conservatory. He teaches at Azusa Pacific University and is music director for St. John's Episcopal Church in La Verne. This appearance will complete his performance of the complete cycle of works by Rachmaninoff for piano and orchestra with the Claremont Symphony. 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.

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

	Jacob van Velzen and his wife, Kathy, are long-time members of the Claremont Symphony Orchestra. He was born in the city of Rotterdam, in The Netherlands and raised in Southern California after his family immigrated here in the late 1950s. He attended California State University at Fullerton in the early 1970s where he studied the French horn with Professor Todd Miller and conducting with the late Professor Benton Minor. Mr. van Velzen holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Arts in Education. In the 1980s he served as conductor of the High Desert Symphony Orchestra and was a part time music faculty member at Victor Valley College in the Victorville, California. He has recently retired after teaching both music and the social sciences for 33 years in the California public schools.		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.
	Robert Sage's primary piano studies were with Lillian Steuber of U.S.C. where he received his D.M.A. in Piano. After graduation he studied with Harry Datyner of the Geneva Conservatory. He teaches at Azusa Pacific University and is music director for St. John's Episcopal Church in La Verne. This appearance will complete his performance of the complete cycle of works by Rachmaninoff for piano and orchestra with the Claremont Symphony.		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.
	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.