Redlands Community Orchestra Gives Inaugural Concert by Hannah Amante - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Redlands Community Orchestra Gives Inaugural Concert

By Hannah Amante, Community Writer
November 14, 2013 at 09:16am. Views: 186

The Redlands Community Orchestra held its inaugural concert on Nov. 10 at the Redlands High School Clock Auditorium. Newly founded by bassoonist Melinda Morang and conducted by James Benanti, the orchestra played the Academic Festival Overture by Johannes Brahms; Capriccio Italien, Opus 45, by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky; and Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Opus 93, by Ludwig Van Beethoven. “I love hearing and having the great masters going through my mind again,” said violinist Rosalee Baumgarten. “I find it going through my mind day and night and just feel so uplifted by it, and it’s been wonderful to get together with other people that have the enthusiasm for something like this.” Baumgarten had played the violin from age 10 to her senior year in high school. When she got to college, she had to choose between opera and violin and went with the former. “But now I’m a senior citizen and can’t sing anymore and so I wanted to have music in my life again,” she said. “I accidentally stumbled on (Morang) who was starting it. I had been playing the violin alone at home in my bedroom for a couple years, trying to resurrect an old violin-playing talent from years ago, and was looking for a place to play. And so this was the perfect opportunity." Double bassist Janine Leslie, who is from Rialto, has been playing the instrument for two years. Prior to learning it, she played electric bass. “When I got into college, they told me that I had to learn the double bass so I picked it up,” she said. A performance major at Cal State San Bernardino, Leslie heard about the orchestra through a friend who had told her to email Morang. “I love it,” she said. “I’m in the beginning.” Before founder Melinda Morang moved from Michigan to Redlands in the summer of 2012, she played the bassoon in a community orchestra. “I really loved it, and then I moved here and was a little disappointed that there was no local community orchestra within short driving distance,” she said. “You have to go to Claremont or Riverside.” She began sending out emails in March to local high school band directors, scoring the interest of James Benanti, who is in his 12th year as the Director of Instrumental Music at Redlands High School. After a conductor was secured, she took the summer to build the orchestra membership through online sign-ups. The orchestra’s first rehearsal was in the beginning of September, once a week. “It seems to be meeting a need for a lot of people,” said Baumgarten, commenting on the enthusiasm of the community orchestra members. “The ultimate goal is to probably play three or four concerts [a year],” said Morang, who added that the orchestra is looking for more string players, and interested musicians may sign up by visiting RedlandsCommunityOrchestra.org. Morang shared that Benanti picked the evening’s particular repertoire for two reasons: he wanted something familiar to the audience, and the selections were in the public domain, as the newly formed orchestra is not yet licensed to play copyrighted music. “I’m having a great time working with these absolutely fantastic musicians,” said Benanti. “Like, really talented people. [It’s been] a great start, and I’m really excited about where we’re gonna be in the future.”

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Woman's Club

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

November 13, 2026 at 04:48pm. Views: 257

Join the celebration on Sunday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Richard Rollins Community Park. Come play, have fun, win prizes and help celebrate 48 years of Grand Terrace!

Photo Courtesy of: BBOP Center

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 703

BBOP Information Session The Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center, an Inland Empire economic and workforce development hub and a project of Time for Change Foundation, has launched Pathways to Prosperity, its Employment Training Pathway Program (ETPP), a comprehensive workforce initiative designed to connect residents facing barriers to employment with the skills, credentials, hands-on experience and employer relationships needed to enter and advance in high-demand careers.

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino's California Theatre from 1930

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 489

Nearly a century after opening its doors, the downtown landmark remains an important connection between the city's entertainment history and its cultural future. In downtown San Bernardino, the California Theatre of the Performing Arts stands as a reminder of a time when attending a movie or live performance was one of the most anticipated social occasions in a growing Southern California city.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 459

With winter approaching, emergency officials are coordinating flood prevention, roadway maintenance and public alerts to help residents prepare for dangerous weather. A heavy rainstorm can change the landscape of San Bernardino in a matter of hours. Streets that ordinarily carry commuters and school buses can become difficult to navigate, drainage channels can fill rapidly, and neighborhoods near foothills may face increased risks from flooding and debris.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 443

A sweeping decision involving California's most serious criminal sentences has drawn strong opposition from San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson, placing the county's chief prosecutor at the center of a statewide debate over justice, victims' rights and executive authority.

Photo Courtesy of: West Valley Water District

By Socorro Pantaleon, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:14am. Views: 349

Group photos of WVWD Board Members and winning students of the 2026 Poster Contest

Photo Courtesy of: CalKIDS

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:13am. Views: 544

During National Scholarship Month, families are encouraged to check their eligibility for scholarships supporting college and career training.

Photo Courtesy of: Khouri Evans-Dangerfield

By Mike Hoover. President, Inland Empire Civil War Round Table, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 348

University of Redlands student Khouri Evans-Dangerfield will examine slavery, constitutional law and the decisions that divided a nation during a free November 15 presentation at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 348

November 11 screening of acclaimed film “All We Imagine as Light” invites students and community members to experience international cinema and discussion. Films can transport audiences to places they have never visited, introduce them to unfamiliar experiences and encourage them to consider how people in different parts of the world navigate relationships, work and personal challenges.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Willam Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 352

A decision announced in Sacramento could change the sentences of hundreds of California prisoners, bringing renewed attention to the death penalty and the future of criminal punishment across the state. Governor Gavin Newsom announced November 5 that he intends to commute the death sentences of all 548 people currently sentenced to death in California.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 420

November 21 event at Olive Avenue Market will introduce residents to drought-tolerant landscaping, city rebates and the benefits of native plants. A beautiful garden does not have to depend on a large lawn or plants that require frequent watering.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:17am. Views: 289

A school announcement can contain information that changes a family's entire afternoon. A reminder about an upcoming meeting, a schedule adjustment or a message from a teacher may determine when a parent leaves work, arranges transportation or helps a child prepare for the next school day.

--> -->