As 2015 comes to an end—and the new year quickly approaches—we have so many things for which to be excited and grateful! Here is our year-end countdown of some of our top stories and news for December 2015.
#5 — Welcoming Our Newest Orchestra Members
From L to R: Conrad Jones, Wenyi Shih, Andrew Sandwick, Cordula Merks, Yi Zhou, and Rebecca Jackson. (Photo © Mark Drury)
Our 2015-16 orchestra roster reflects the recent addition of a number of fine musicians. With Cordula Merks as our newly appointed Concertmaster, the orchestra also includes new members Wenyi Shih (Acting Associate Concertmaster), Rebecca Jackson (Acting Assistant Principal 2nd Violin), Yi Zhou (Principal Viola), Andrew Sandwick (2nd & Bass Clarinet), and Conrad Jones (Acting Trumpet/Cornet). What an impressive group! (More photos below.)
#4 — 2015 Nutcracker Season is Well Underway
Principal Dancer Tiit Helmets conducting the overture to the Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.
There’s nothing quite like performing Tchaikovsky’s magical score for such delightful audience members, many of whom are seeing ballet for the very first time. This year, we will also help ring in the New Year with our final Nutcracker performances on December 31st, 2015.
By the way, our mystery conductor in this photo is none other than Principal Dancer Tiit Helimets working some ballet magic of his own at the podium during the overture to the Nutcracker.
Fun Fact: The San Francisco Ballet was the first American ballet company to perform the Nutcracker, which premiered at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House on Christmas Eve in 1944. During the early years, the ballet did not have an orchestra of its own, but was instead accompanied by the San Francisco Symphony. In 1975 (credited as the Performing Arts Orchestra of San Francisco), the ballet orchestra had its performance debut with the Nutcracker, under Music Director Denis de Coteau. Later, in 1983, the name was officially changed to the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.
#3 — Orchestra Celebrates 40th Anniversary
The 2015-16 season will mark a major milestone for the SF Ballet Orchestra as we celebrate 40 years of performing with this incredible company. A variety of events highlighting the orchestra, including new recording projects and an orchestra concert, will be announced later in the season. We’ll keep you posted.
Until then, the opening night gala on Thursday, January 21, 2016 promises to be another unforgettable, star-studded event. Also, the 2016 Repertory Season will include such highlights as Swan Lake and Coppélia, with audience favorites by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, and Mark Morris. This season will also mark the return of Yuri Possokhov’s hit Swimmer composed by Shinji Eshima.
#2 — “Ask Your Mama” Receives 3 GRAMMY Nominations
When the nominees for the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on December 7, 2015, the SF Ballet Orchestra’s Ask Your Mama was honored with nominations in the classical music category for — Best Classical Compendium, Best Engineered Album, and Producer of the Year.
The winners will be announced on February 15, 2016, so—until then—we’re keeping our fingers, toes, flutes and bows crossed!
Last, but not least on our countdown—
#1 –We’d like to wish our wonderful orchestra family and friends…
All the best for…
More 2015 Nutcracker Photos
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- From L to R: Conrad Jones, Rebecca Jackson, Andrew Sandwick, Cordula Merks, Wenyi Shih and Yi Zhou (Photo © Mark Drury)
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- SF Ballet Nutcracker 2015
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- What an entrance! Guest conductor makes his way down the aisle and climbs into the pit!!
Note: The pause button and arrows that appear as you hover over each photo allow you to search and pause the images.)