City: Santa Rosa, CA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (707) 546-8742

Address: 50 Santa Rosa Avenue, Suite 410

Description: The Santa Rosa Symphony was founded by George Trombley in 1927. Thirty-two eager (and some talented) amateur musicians played for the first time at the local Elks Club. It is said that Mr. T (as his players called him) was fond of spirited selections. Under his direction the orchestra played Dvorˇ ák’s Slavonic Dance at most concerts. These performances were enlivened by the gusto of Mr. T, who stomped his foot on the podium until the dust flew. Trombley’s tenure lasted 30 years, when Maestro Corrick Brown took over the baton and held it for another 37 years. Today, Bruno Ferrandis is the orchestra’s conductor. The orchestra has long since left the Elks Club and now makes its home at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts (see listing under Theater Companies and Venues in this chapter). The concert season consists of seven three-day events plus a pops concert and picnic in June (table seating and lawn seating are available), a Redwoods Music Festival in August, and other special events in August and September. There is also a Youth Symphony Orchestra, providing two free concerts for children (particularly popular with kindergarten through third-grade students). Adult ticket prices range between $25 to $50.