Cal Phil to Kick Off Holiday Season Dec. 12

Kicking off its milestone 20th Anniversary Season with a spectacular Christmas concert featuring classics, holiday favorites and more on Dec. 12, 2015, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium beginning at 7:30pm (details to be announced shortly), California Philharmonic is poised to become an even greater force in live entertainment and in the community.
While keeping all of its long revered treasures in place–the incomparable Maestro Victor Vener, his world class orchestra, the Cal Phil Chorale and the type of dynamic and unique programming that has become synonymous with California Philharmonic concerts–there are also many new and exciting additions to the organization, beginning with the appointment of Brandon Dobbins as Executive Director.

Photo by Terry Miller

“As in the past, California Philharmonic is positioned to make the changes necessary to not only sustain our organization, but to truly lead the charge in redefining what lovers of music can expect and deserve from their experience with a professional orchestra,” said Dobbins. “California Philharmonic will continue to look for new ways to bring the highest quality of live symphonic music to the largest number of people possible. We are also bringing added value to our patrons in the coming year with exciting new featured artists and concert-themed pre-show experiences for the whole family. More robust and customizable subscription packages to accentuate the one-of-a-kind experiences will also be offered at both of our legendary venues.”
A staple in the San Gabriel Valley’s arts management scene for the past six years, Dobbins has produced more than 25 shows on various stages throughout the San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles. Previously, Dobbins spent 15 years studying and working in for profit and manufacturing management and human resources. Also able to incorporate his degree in theater into all of his work, Dobbins has a unique perspective which has been a key component in his success.
Perhaps most importantly, and why he is the ideal addition to the California Philharmonic family, Dobbins is an innovator who tirelessly strives to bring to the ever changing business world of the arts unique experiences that create lasting memories and change lives for the better.
Simultaneously, the California Philharmonia Society, a non-profit community benefit organization whose main emphasis at this time is to support the California Philharmonic, has assembled a top tier Board of Directors further reflecting the orchestra’s continued growth. “We are now committed to even greater community involvement through partnerships with like-valued organizations and individuals in order to allow us to engage and enrich our communities in more profound and life enriching ways,” continued Dobbins who also works closely with the new Board.
The Board is led by its Chairman, Nelson Holdo, CGA. Born and raised in Pasadena, Holdo is a Certified Gemologist Appraiser and Private Jeweler as well as a long heralded local philanthropist. Prominent Businessman Robert W. Miller, who has been an integral member of the California Philharmonic family for the past two decades, serves as Chairman Emeritus while James Lo Coco, a Principal and Managing Director of RJJ, Pasadena Securities, lends his talents to the Board as Executive Treasurer.
Rounding out the Board are Kevin H. Baines, Ph.D., Kendra Bollenbach, Christine Charlier, Daniel Charlier and Pasadena’s own Paul Rusnak, Founder of Rusnak Auto Group and Arthur D. Silveri, owner of multiple local businesses including redwhite+bluezz and Silveri Properties among others.
California Philharmonic creates unique musical performances which combine a wide variety of musical styles, outlining the connections between composers, eras, contemporary life and musical genres that bring both enlightenment and enjoyment to the ears and hearts of today’s music lovers.
Each summer, Cal Phil performs its acclaimed concerts at two of Los Angeles County’s best music venues. Saturday nights see the orchestra concertizing under the stars on a beautiful grass meadow in the infield of historic Santa Anita Race Track. After its evenings outdoors, the orchestra moves inside Walt Disney Concert Hall, one of the world’s finest music spaces – and a landmark destination – for popular Sunday afternoon matinée performances.

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