Oakland East Bay Symphony facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) |
|
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Concert hall | Paramount Theatre |
| Principal conductor | Michael Morgan |
The Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) is a top orchestra located in Oakland, California. An orchestra is a large group of musicians who play different instruments together. The main leader and conductor of the orchestra is Michael Morgan. He has been in this important role since September 1990.
The Symphony's home since 1995 has been the beautiful Paramount Theatre. Bryan Nies has also been an Assistant Conductor since 2002. Each season, the Symphony performs six different music programs for everyone to enjoy.
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About the Oakland East Bay Symphony
The Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) started in July 1988. It was formed when musicians from an older group, the Oakland Symphony, joined with the Oakland Symphony League.
Under Maestro Michael Morgan's guidance, OEBS has become a leader in music education. They help bring orchestral music into schools across Oakland and the East Bay area. More than 60,000 people attend OEBS concerts every year. These performances happen at the Paramount Theatre, churches, senior centers, and other community spots.
The Symphony plays both classic songs and exciting new pieces. OEBS is important for bringing together different art groups in the community. They often work with local ballet, opera, choir, and theater groups. They also perform at many community events. For example, in June 2001, they had a special concert for "A Tribute to Gordon Parks". This was with the Oakland Museum of California. In July 2002, OEBS performed a free Fourth of July Pops Concert with fireworks.
In 2007, OEBS honored Martin Luther King Jr. with a musical tribute. They performed a new piece called "Black Suit Blues." This song was about King's impact on the United States. It featured the symphony, a chorus, a baritone singer named Robert Sims, and a saxophonist. The program also included Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 9.
In December 2007, the orchestra presented "Let Us Break Bread Together: A Holiday Celebration." Michael Morgan and the orchestra were joined by many groups. These included the Oakland Symphony Chorus and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. They performed inspiring spirituals, classical music, and holiday favorites.
Also in December 2007, the Oakland Ballet celebrated a special anniversary. It was the 35th year of Ronn Guidi’s famous "Nutcracker" ballet. This performance took place at the Paramount. Maestro Michael Morgan conducted the beautiful music by Tchaikovsky.
American Masterworks Series
On May 18, 2007, the Oakland East Bay Symphony started its "American Masterworks Series." Their first show was George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." This performance was completely sold out, with over 3000 people attending. A special part of the show was the 120-voice Oakland Symphony Chorus. They sang famous songs like "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So."
The second part of the "American Masterworks Series" featured another great composer, Stephen Sondheim. His musical Follies (from 1971) was performed in May 2008. This concert version included all the popular songs. Some of these were "Broadway Baby" and "Losing My Mind."
Awards and Recognition
The Oakland East Bay Symphony has received several awards for its great work.
| Year | Award Category | Organization | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Adventurous Programming Awards | The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) | First Place | For playing modern music |
| 2007 | Excellence in Community Engagement | American Symphony Orchestra League | Winner | For excellent work that helps the community |
Music Recordings
Here are some of the recordings the Oakland East Bay Symphony has made.
| Year | Title | Music Style | Conductor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Live at the Paramount Theatre! New Works for a New Century |
Classical | Michael Morgan |
