Page 10 - Vallejo_Chamber_of_Commerce_Magazine_Spring_2018

The Because VSO makes tickets so comes from a background of “15 tiered-seating, you can see the show no

years of successful music directorships
matter where you sit (I have tested all
affordable, they have to do a lot
in New Zealand and a substantial
more to cover their expenses, such
of this by sitting at different spots). To
career in Australasia,” and he was
make things better, the seats are super
as paying the musicians, the venue,
Vallejo and so forth. Eichbauer elaborated, appointed Music Director of Orchestra comfortable: they are plush and can
“Expenses add up: musicians’ salaries,
slightly recline. By the way, the Empress
Wellington in 2007, according to
the biography on his website.
has a full bar, so you can grab a drink
rental of the hall and the office, music
and sit back while listening to the
rental, piano tuning, etc. Ticket sales
mellifluous sounds of the instruments.
cover less than a third of what VSO
Taddei conducts the VSO now on
requires in order to keep producing
a new stage—at the fully restored
Symphony these concerts … The rest is made Empress Theatre, at 330 Virginia VSO’s season runs from October
to April, with three big concerts in
up by grants, program advertising,
Street. “The beautiful Empress Theatre
bequests from supporters, and—most
the months of October, January,
is a vintage gem built in 1911, which
importantly—gifts from small businesses
and April. The first two sold out, so
was reclaimed and restored in 2008
and from individuals like you.”
thanks to the efforts of many engaged,
season finale show on April 15th,
generous people in our community,” be sure to catch Resolution, their
Not only does VSO put on amazing, Eichbauer said. During my meeting featuring the great and talented pianist
New Stage at the Empress Theatre memorable concerts while saving you with her, Eichbauer told me that that Cecile Licad, who has appeared
money, they also are heavily involved throughout the world, with orchestras
By James Quinn and invested in the community, and like the Chicago Symphony, Boston
educating our youth. The VSO’s goal, Symphony, New York Philharmonic,
as stated on the website, is “to expose Philadelphia Orchestra, and the
children to different genres of music London Symphony. Tell your family
by playing works from different time and friends and indulge in an amazing
periods and teaching them about experience that you will remember
music and composers, with the hope of for the rest of your life. Tickets could
engaging them in musical performance make a great present to anyone!
and planting the seeds of a life-long
love of music.” For example, the Vallejo We are certainly lucky and privileged
Of all my years in Benicia, Vallejo’s next-door neighbor, I had no idea that Vallejo has its Symphony Trio are musicians that to have a symphony orchestra in
own symphony! Appropriately named Vallejo Symphony Orchestra (VSO) and located volunteer their time to visit primary Vallejo that we can afford and
in historic downtown Vallejo at 714 Marin Street, it has been around for over 85 years! and middle schools around Vallejo to enjoy. Maybe you were like me
teach children music. Some students the main reason the VSO changed and did not know about it. Either
When you think of a symphony, That’s right, you can come dressed live orchestra is so moving, where learn how to read music and play its stage to the Empress Theatre is way, we should spread the word!
what comes to mind? I immediately casual, in jeans, whether they are you can actually hear the depth some instruments. For some students, because the Empress recently increased
think of a big stage with many ripped or not, or you can dress up. of sound and nuance that you these fun experiences are often their its stage length, now being able For additional information and to
musicians playing a variety of “You don’t have to worry about don’t get from a live recording.” first real interaction with learning to accommodate a full 62-person conveniently get tickets online, visit
instruments—flutes, piccolos, fitting in. It’s how you want to fit,” about music, where they can be orchestra, and also because of its prime www.vallejosymphony.org. You can
clarinets, and saxophones coming Tim Zumwalt said. Zumwalt is VSO’s Fellow students, this may move you to inspired to pick up an instrument like location in historic downtown Vallejo. also purchase tickets over the phone
together in harmony to play hefty chief of operations, publicist, and experience a symphony: VSO offers the flute or piano. VSO and the VS by calling (707) 643-4441. Make
pieces (e.g. Beethoven)—all led by one of the symphony’s directors to student discounts! Its website says: Trio work with the Vallejo City Unified Working together, VSO, the Empress, sure to get your tickets in advance
a conductor at the center. However, name a few—he wears many hats! “A limited number of significantly School District’s STEAM program and the local community have helped to get better seating. All concerts
let’s face it that symphonies also discounted student tickets will be within the A in the acronym (Science keep live music alive in Vallejo. As start at 3 p.m. Tickets are non-
have a reputation for being an VSO does a great job at making available online for our concerts Technology, Engineering, the Arts, someone who frequents the Empress refundable. Like them on Facebook @
exclusive, expensive experience tickets affordable. At around one to two weeks in advance and Mathematics). You can like and quite often (my grandpa, my dad, vallejosymphony to follow them for
with a classy dress code— $35 to $65 a show, they are a depending upon availability. Check follow this amazingly talented trio on and I are all long-time members, latest updates like upcoming shows and
something saved for the elite. bargain—you get to see a whole the concert page on our website or Facebook @vallejosymphonytrio. representing three generations!), I know promotions. Email Vallejo Symphony
symphony orchestra play in a our Facebook page prior to each that they definitely know how to give a for inquiries such as making donations:
On the contrary, the Vallejo historic theater. The experience concert for details.” They also often Eichbauer, Zumwalt, and the VS Trio pleasant, hospitable experience inside vallejosymphony@gmail.com.
Symphony is for everyone. Its alone is worth more than that, as do media promotions on KZCT are among some of the great people a beautiful, historic building. Everyone
musicians are sure to always provide most symphony orchestra events 89.5 FM Vallejo (listeners from all behind VSO—as is their conductor, there is friendly, from the volunteers
a warm, inviting experience for their are in the $150 range! When I met over the world), giving away free Marc Taddei AKA Maestro Taddei. to the manager, Kevin Frazier, whom I
guests. For starters—aside from with Vallejo Symphony’s Board of or very discounted tickets. In other Taddei joined on March 30th, 2016, have known for years now. With great
wearing clothes and shoes (like most Directors president Mary Eichbauer, words, in more ways than one, “you when he was appointed Music Director acoustics, you can hear the music
places)—a dress code does not exist. she said, “The experience of a get a lot of bang for your buck.” of his first American Orchestra. Taddei anywhere in the theater; and with

8 Spring www.vallejochamber.com