65 Years of Beauty, 34 Years of Dedication

On Jan. 10, piano virtuoso Vladislav Kosminov performed a set of three pieces alongside the Redlands Symphony, which included a 60-piece orchestra under the baton of international director, Jon Robertson, during the 65 Years of Beauty Concert at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel sponsored by the Loma Linda University Medical Center. Kosminov, a native of Uzbekistan, made his U.S. debut while performing Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.1 in October 2013. Coming from a musical family, Kosminov was trained as a soloist from a young age and began his studies at the Lyceum Musical Academy for Gifted Children. Kosminov has performed many concerts with National Symphonic Orchestra of Uzbekistan, including pieces from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Brahms. Three pieces, including Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, composed in 1830; Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 1 in G minor, op. 7, composed in 1891-2; and previous University of Redlands faculty member Wayne Bohrnstedt’s Festival Overture, composed in 1956, were played for nearly 1,000 people who were in attendance. Bohrnstedt, who had retired from the University of Redlands in 1993, was present at the concert. “This concert will fill Memorial Chapel with the glorious sounds of some of the repertoire’s great music,” said Maestro Robertson prior to the January concert. “I am extraordinarily happy to give life to my friend Wayne Bohrnstedt’s Festival Overture, with the added treat that I expect Wayne to be in the audience. This is coupled with a phenomenal early work by Nielsen and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, which most people consider to be some of the most beautiful music ever written for the piano, performed by a young man who has already thrilled audiences around the world.” Maestro Robertson, who has served as the Symphony’s music director and conductor since 1982, is set to retire at the end of the 2016-17 season, having dedicated 34 years of his life to the Redlands Symphony. Officials of the Redlands Symphony have formally announced a $1 million endowment campaign in Robertson’s honor to fund the conducting position and the organization’s OrKIDstra program, which provides music education programs and enrichment for children. “The Redlands Symphony Board of Directors felt it was imperative that we remember the legacy of our beloved Maestro in some significant way,” said Symphony Chair David Maupin as he announced the campaign. “To that end, we began the quiet phase of the campaign several months ago. Now, with the leadership of board member Dr. James R. Appleton as committee chair, we have reached our first goal and are ready to enlist the support of the entire community in this worthwhile effort.” “I’m extremely excited by the overwhelmingly positive support the campaign has received so far,” said Appleton. “We have raised in excess of $750,000 in leadership gifts and pledges and have 100 percent participation in the campaign by board members. With help from the general community, I believe we are well on our way to reaching our goal of at least $1 million. This is a historic undertaking for the Symphony. We’ve never done anything like this in the past, so it is extremely heartening to have so many people step up and be included at the early stages of the campaign.” “When Dave and Jim came to me with their proposal for an endowment campaign in my honor, I was extremely moved,” commented Maestro Robertson. “I deeply love this community and this orchestra, and to have that love returned in this manner is somewhat overwhelming. I am also extremely happy that the board has decided that income from the endowment be used for two things that are very dear to me: the ongoing leadership of the orchestra and programs that engage young people in the art and beauty of music.” In addition to Dr. Appleton, members of the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign Committee include Jerry Bean, Denise Bourne, Ann Bryan, David Maupin, Sabine Robertson-Phillips, Nadege Robertson-Tippenhauer, Berangere Robertson-Tucker and Marilyn Solter. The list of people who have either already made a leadership gift to the campaign or pledged their support includes: Kathleen and John Albrektson, Carol and Jim Appleton, Carol Baker, Luann Bangsund, Brenda and Jerry Bean, Denise and Bob Bourne, Pam and Chris Bradish, Mary and Al Bricetti, Debbie and Jack Brown, Ann and Vaughn Bryan, Bill Buster, Dr. Joan Coggin, Richard Cox, Laura and Jack Dangermond, Nancy and Jim Heine, Mary Jo and JE Holmes, Cheryl Lossett, Robin and Dave Maupin, Boyd and Helen Nies, The Quest Foundation, Susan and Bruce Satzger, Marilyn Solter, Connie and Doug Welebir, Carol and Craig Wessen, Charlie Wheeler, Barbara and Larry Wormser and Karen Zerkle. One donor has asked to remain anonymous. For information about how you can get involved in the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign, please contact Paul Ideker, president & CEO of the Redlands Symphony, at 909-748-8018. [END] Interview Questions: Most memorable performance? Why is it "65 years"? What makes the Redlands Symphony stand out? What is one thing you strove to bring to the Redlands Symphony? Most rewarding experience? REDLANDS, CA – Officials of the Redlands Symphony have formally announced the start of the public phase of a historic $1 million endowment campaign honoring retiring Maestro Jon Robertson. Funds raised by the campaign will be placed in an endowment fund, with income from the fund used to support the Maestro’s conducting position (going forward) and the organization’s OrKIDstra program, which provides music education programs and enrichment for children. “The Redlands Symphony Board of Directors felt it was imperative that we remember the legacy of our beloved Maestro in some significant way,” said Symphony Chair David Maupin as he announced the campaign. “To that end, we began the quiet phase of the campaign several months ago. Now, with the leadership of board member Dr. James R. Appleton as committee chair, we have reached our first goal and are ready to enlist the support of the entire community in this worthwhile effort.” “I’m extremely excited by the overwhelmingly positive support the campaign has received so far,” said Appleton. “We have raised in excess of $750,000 in leadership gifts and pledges and have 100% participation in the campaign by board members. With help from the general community, I believe we are well on our way to reaching our goal of at least $1 million. This is a historic undertaking for the Symphony. We’ve never done anything like this in the past, so it is extremely heartening to have so many people step up and be included at the early stages of the campaign.” Maestro Robertson will retire at the end of the 2016-17 season, having served as the Symphony’s Music Director and Conductor for 34 years. “When Dave and Jim came to me with their proposal for an endowment campaign in my honor, I was extremely moved,” commented Maestro Robertson. “I deeply love this community and this orchestra, and to have that love returned in this manner is somewhat overwhelming. I am also extremely happy that the board has decided that income from the endowment be used for two things that are very dear to me: the ongoing leadership of the orchestra and programs that engage young people in the art and beauty of music.” In addition to Dr. Appleton, members of the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign Committee include Jerry Bean, Denise Bourne, Ann Bryan, David Maupin, Sabine Robertson-Phillips, Nadege Robertson-Tippenhauer, Berangere Robertson-Tucker and Marilyn Solter. Leadership Donors The list of people who have either already made a leadership gift to the campaign or pledged their support includes: Kathleen and John Albrektson, Carol and Jim Appleton, Carol Baker, Luann Bangsund, Brenda and Jerry Bean, Denise and Bob Bourne, Pam and Chris Bradish, Mary and Al Bricetti, Debbie and Jack Brown, Ann and Vaughn Bryan, Bill Buster, Dr. Joan Coggin, Richard Cox, Laura and Jack Dangermond, Nancy and Jim Heine, Mary Jo and JE Holmes, Cheryl Lossett, Robin and Dave Maupin, Boyd and Helen Nies, The Quest Foundation, Susan and Bruce Satzger, Marilyn Solter, Connie and Doug Welebir, Carol and Craig Wessen, Charlie Wheeler, Barbara and Larry Wormser and Karen Zerkle. One donor has asked to remain anonymous. Ways to Give to the Legacy Campaign There are three ways gifts can be made to the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign: Cash Contributions – A gift in the form of a check or other negotiable asset in any amount may be given to the Redlands Symphony and earmarked for the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign. Pledged Gifts - A pledged gift of $1,000 or more can be made to the campaign and paid to the Redlands Symphony over a maximum of 5 years. A signed pledge form is required and can be obtained from the symphony office. Planned or Testamentary Gifts – For those who have or are willing to acknowledge a planned gift designated to the Redlands Symphony, these gifts may be designated for the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign. Making a gift in this way will qualify donors, if they wish, for special recognition as a member of the Symphony Legacy Society. The Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign is supported by a generous matching challenge grant from the Quest Foundation which will provide the Symphony with an additional $1 for every $2 raised before August 4, 2015. That means that a $1,000 contribution will automatically become a $1,500 contribution when the Quest match is added. Questions about the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign should be directed to Paul Ideker, President & CEO of the Redlands Symphony, at (909) 748-8018. Gifts and pledges can be arranged by telephone or through the mail. The Symphony’s mailing address is 1200 E. Colton Ave., P.O. Box 3080, Redlands, CA 92373. END PHOTO CAPTION Dr. James R. Appleton, chairman of the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign Committee, announces the beginning of the public phase of a historic $1 million endowment campaign honoring retiring Maestro Jon Robertson at a press conference on Friday morning. Funds raised by the campaign will be placed in an endowment fund, with income from the fund used to support the Maestro’s conducting position (going forward) and the organization’s OrKIDstra program, which provides music education programs and enrichment for children. Over $750,000 has already been raised toward this goal. Contributions to the Jon Robertson Legacy Fund can be made by contacting the Symphony office at 909.748.8018. END ------------------------- Piano virtuoso Vladislav Kosminov will perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, op. 11, under the baton of Maestro Jon Robertson as the Redlands Symphony welcomes the New Year with a musical program featuring the works of Carl NIELSEN, Frédéric CHOPIN and Redlands composer Wayne BOHRNSTEDT on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at 8 PM in Memorial Chapel on the campus of the University of Redlands. Doors open at 7 PM, and there will be a pre-concert conversation about the program beginning at 7:15 PM. Single tickets are available at the door, starting at $15. The complete program includes Wayne BOHRNSTEDT’s Festival Overture, Carl NIELSEN’s Symphony No. 1 in G minor, op. 7, and Frederic CHOPIN’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, op. 11. “This concert will fill Memorial Chapel with the glorious sounds of some of the repertoire’s great music,” said Maestro Robertson about the program for the January 10th concert. “I am extraordinarily happy to give life to my friend Wayne Bohrnstedt’s Festival Overture, with the added treat that I expect Wayne to be in the audience. This is coupled with a phenomenal early work by Nielsen and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, which most people consider to be some of the most beautiful music ever written for the piano, performed by a young man who has already trilled audiences around the world. It’s going to be a fantastic evening.” The sponsor for the January concert is Loma Linda University Medical Center. The 2014-15 season sponsors are Ann and Vaughn Bryan. The Redlands Symphony is a professional, independent nonprofit orchestra. “Pick Four” season subscriptions that include four concerts of your choosing start at just $57 and are still available for sale. Single tickets begin at $15. Redlands Symphony also offers its Symphony Select card for just $189. A Symphony Select card gives the purchaser six tickets for the best tickets available at time of redemption (excluding Golden Circle). Tickets can be used for any combination of concerts, seats and dates throughout the 2014-15 season. Symphony Select seats may also be used for performances of the Riverside County Philharmonic in downtown Riverside. Single tickets are available at the door and online. Subscriptions and the Symphony Select card can be purchased online at www.redlandssymphony.com or by calling the box office at 909-748-8018. Chris Myers, General Manager, Little under 1000 people in attendance, 1 piece from each composer, "We have wanted to showcase Vladislav's artistic and technical ability for a while." Wayne Bohrnstedt was chosen as a "showcase of local talent" Maestro Jon Robertson has loved Nielson's piecefor many years, despite that, according to Myers, the piece is not as popular in the United States as it is in Scandinavia and other parts of the world.