About Us
Founded in 1953 by George Denes, the Claremont Symphony Orchestra was originally sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Claremont and the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Claremont as an extension of the music program of the Claremont schools through the Claremont Adult School. Now a non-profit organization under the leadership of Dr. Robert Sage, the mission of the orchestra is for local musicians to bring music to the community free of charge.
The orchestra is currently composed of about 70 talented volunteer musicians from numerous locations around Southern California, dedicating their time and talents to provide musically enriching, free concerts for Claremont, the Pomona Valley, the San Gabriel Valley, and the Inland Empire.
The Claremont Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a member of the Chambers of Commerce for the cities of Claremont, Glendora, La Verne, Pomona, San Dimas, and Upland.
Claremont Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, 2026-2027
Pat Kuenning, President
Laura Jaoui, Vice President
Gloria Cangahuala, Secretary
Mark Wang, Treasurer
Members-at-Large
Tom Baker, Librarian
Louise Bansmer, Assistant Treasurer
Sue Hodson
John Sandhagen
Beth Shemely
June Xu
Other Board Members
Robert Sage, Music Director
Ruth Charloff, Associate Conductor
Cecilia Cloughly, Past President
Acknowledgements
The Claremont Symphony Orchestra is grateful to the City of Claremont for its assistance and support. The orchestra also wishes to thank Pomona College for the use of Bridges Hall of Music for our concerts and Bryant Rehearsal Hall for our rehearsals.
Program notes are written by Sue Hodson. Thanks to Beth Shemely at McGregor Shott for producing our concert flyers and programs.
The orchestra is currently composed of about 70 talented volunteer musicians from numerous locations around Southern California, dedicating their time and talents to provide musically enriching, free concerts for Claremont, the Pomona Valley, the San Gabriel Valley, and the Inland Empire.
The Claremont Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a member of the Chambers of Commerce for the cities of Claremont, Glendora, La Verne, Pomona, San Dimas, and Upland.
Claremont Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, 2026-2027
Pat Kuenning, President
Laura Jaoui, Vice President
Gloria Cangahuala, Secretary
Mark Wang, Treasurer
Members-at-Large
Tom Baker, Librarian
Louise Bansmer, Assistant Treasurer
Sue Hodson
John Sandhagen
Beth Shemely
June Xu
Other Board Members
Robert Sage, Music Director
Ruth Charloff, Associate Conductor
Cecilia Cloughly, Past President
Acknowledgements
The Claremont Symphony Orchestra is grateful to the City of Claremont for its assistance and support. The orchestra also wishes to thank Pomona College for the use of Bridges Hall of Music for our concerts and Bryant Rehearsal Hall for our rehearsals.
Program notes are written by Sue Hodson. Thanks to Beth Shemely at McGregor Shott for producing our concert flyers and programs.
