Auburn Symphony: The Orchestra Next Door

THE AUBURN SYMPHONY IS PLACER COUNTY’S orchestra — and one of the nation’s finest community ensembles. It was formed 27 years ago, when Auburn musician Monroe DeJarnette met with Bruce Cosgrove of the Auburn Chamber to discuss a plan to form a community orchestra.

The concert premier, entitled The Birth of an Orchestra, took place in the Placer High School Auditorium in 1988, after a year of preparation.

Michael Goodwin was appointed artistic director and conductor in 1995 and served until his tragic death in 2002. Under Goodwin’s leadership, the orchestra grew to nearly 70 musicians. Goodwin led the orchestra’s first historic performance at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis, now a tradition.

Peter Jaffe, who wowed audiences as a guest conductor for the Auburn Symphony at Mondavi, was selected as the new maestro.

“Under Peter’s leadership, our orchestra is playing at its highest level,” says Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, who is the Symphony’s president this year. “The live performances generate so much excitement that our patrons literally can’t stop talking about it as they exit.”

Jaffe is a seasoned conductor with the Stockton Symphony for 18 seasons. He holds a doctorate in conducting from Stanford (studying under Andor Toth); was coached briefly by Leonard Bernstein and Seji Ozawa — and even has a guitar owned by Woody Guthrie. He appears frequently as a guest conductor for Symphony Silicon Valley.

“The fact that a community of this size supports such a grand orchestra is just fabulous,” he says. “I’m very honored to carry on the great tradition that Michael has so nobly enhanced.”

A theme for the 2013-14 season has been romance and adventure, including “the delightful adventures of the mischievous rogue Till Eulenspiegel,” which is performed on March 8-9.

The season also includes a family concert on February 22. In It’s About Time! maestro Jaffe explores catchy rhythmic elements at the symphony with soprano Megan Rao, winner of the group’s 2013 Young Artist Competition.

The Symphony hosts a Mother’s Day extravaganza on May 11 at the Mondavi Center, including Verdi, Rachmaninoff, and Bernstein’s symphonic dances from West Side Story.

(Photo: Keith Sutter)

Bravo Bruce!

After 30 years of leading the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Bruce Cosgrove is retiring this spring. Thanks to Bruce for his service. The Chamber office, meanwhile, is moving back to Central Square in downtown Auburn after 20 years, next to the Placer County Visitors Bureau-California Welcome Center—a terrific idea.