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Values and Philosophy
Professional symphonic
performances Symphonic music is a vital and evolving art
form. The Symphony offers a wide range of symphonic music, not limited to the
traditional classic repertoire, in order to reach a much broader
audience.
We believe it is as
important to feature 20th Century American composers, as well as to represent
the classical standards. While the subscription concert programs are exciting
in their own right, they also provide an educational experience by linking the
music with pre-concert lectures and informal talks.
Artistic collaborations
The Oakland East Bay Symphony brings together the talents and
resources of diverse artistic groups from within the community. Whenever
possible, we encourage the participation of Oakland's ballet, opera, choral and
theatrical groups in collaborative performances. These organizations join
together to promote a lively arts environment, and entertain a wide range of
audiences.
Community service The Symphony serves a unique
community, with a rich mix of racial, cultural and economic groups. We are
committed to bringing music to the people, as well as bringing them into the
concert hall, making the experience of music more accessible and enjoyable to
new and broader audiences.
The Symphony is an
important positive and vital force in the Oakland community, contributing
energetically to its creativity and cultural diversity. It provides a forum for
community involvement, and a way to nurture a needed atmosphere of human
understanding and creativity.
We share our
perspective, experience and enthusiasm with a new generation of young people.
We help to restore a sense of community ownership in the arts, making music not
only relevant, but essential to our society.
Community resource
Music is an international language that
unifies diverse groups of people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. The
Oakland East Bay Symphony strives to bring music to this audience. The Symphony
improves the community's economy and quality of life, a key factor in
attracting new businesses, residents, and tourists. Its events generate
commerce for restaurants, galleries and stores. Recent studies indicate that
for every $1 spent on an arts event, $1.50 more is spent on other events or
goods.
The Symphony is also
an important source of employment - not only for East Bay musicians, but for
staff, subcontractors and people involved in promotions.
Education outreach The Oakland East Bay Symphony is
an educational symphony, creating the audience of the future. We provide our
community with a sense of the history of music, a perspective on the importance
of music to community life, and an offering of diverse musical
alternatives.
The Symphony is a
leader in music education for young people. We inspire and motivate youth by
providing role models, standards and options they can pursue. School visits by
Michael Morgan and the Symphony's guest artists bring music to institutions
where there is little or no music education.
Every year, the Young
Peoples Concerts bring live orchestral music to more than 5,500 children from
community schools. In addition, the Symphony holds special Side By Side
performances, which feature young local musicians performing on stage alongside
professional musicians.
The future of symphonic music
Since symphonic music is an evolving
art form, we contribute to its future by commissioning and performing new works
by contemporary American composers. These works will in turn be made available
to other orchestras, contributing to the future of American music.
Leadership in the artistic
community We are redefining the
role of an orchestra in our community. One way we do this is by encouraging the
community's various artistic organizations to work together.
With dwindling government
support, we and other artistic organizations cannot exist completely
independently. We must work together. This collaboration - between small and
large artistic entities - will enhance Oakland's future as a vital cultural
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