News Summary
Pacific Symphony in Costa Mesa has unveiled its Family Musical Mornings series, led by new Assistant Conductor Pola Benke. This series aims to introduce families to live orchestral music through engaging concerts at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Each concert will feature themes, pre-concert activities, and beloved classical pieces like Disney’s Fantasia and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. The series promotes a love for the arts among young audiences and is part of the Symphony’s effort to enrich community engagement.
Costa Mesa, California – Pacific Symphony has announced its 2025–26 Family Musical Mornings series, set to be conducted by new Assistant Conductor Pola Benke. The series, generously presented by Farmers & Merchants Bank, aims to introduce young audiences to the world of live orchestral music through a selection of popular classical pieces. Concerts will take place at the renowned Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
The four-concert series promises a vibrant and engaging musical experience for the entire family, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on various mornings. Each concert will feature a unique theme, paired with pre-concert activities, which may include crafts, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) projects, and photo opportunities, inviting children to immerse themselves in a creative environment before the performances.
The inaugural concert will open with Disney’s Fantasia in Concert Live to Film, where scenes from both Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 will be projected onto a large screen, accompanied by live orchestral music. Audiences can expect to enjoy classical favorites such as Debussy’s Clair de Lune and Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice as they deepen their appreciation for music.
Concert Highlights
The second concert of the series will celebrate the beloved holiday classic with Nutcracker for Kids. The performance will feature dancers from the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, bringing Tchaikovsky’s enchanting ballet to life in an accessible format for children. Following this, the New Year concert will present Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, where different instruments will represent each character of the tale, serving as an engaging introduction to the orchestra itself.
To conclude the family series, the Pacific Symphony will present Leopold & The Magic Flute: Opera for Kids, an adaptation of Mozart’s famous opera. This closing event aims to provide a familial experience that will help foster a love for both opera and classical music among children and their families.
A Legacy of Musical Excellence
This upcoming series is part of Pacific Symphony’s broader mission to connect with the local community and cultivate an appreciation for classical music among younger generations. As the Symphony prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, it continues to promote growth and development within its programming and audience engagement.
Music director Carl St.Clair is currently celebrating his 35th season with the organization. He will transition to the role of music director laureate, allowing him to leave a lasting impact on the symphony’s innovative educational initiatives. Alexander Shelley is set to succeed him as the new music director, promising to carry on the Symphony’s commitment to artistic excellence.
The current season features highlights such as the debut of Viet Cuong’s new piece Marine Layer, along with performances that showcase renowned soloists, including Raquel Gonzalez, Daryl Freedman, Won Whi Choi, and Zaikuan Song. The season will culminate with the highly anticipated performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem.
Through its Family Musical Mornings series, Pacific Symphony seeks to ignite a lifelong passion for the arts among young audiences, setting the stage for future generations to appreciate the richness of classical music.
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Additional Resources
- Broadway World: Pacific Symphony Family Musical Mornings
- Wikipedia: Pacific Symphony
- Los Angeles Times: Verdi’s Requiem Finale
- Google Search: Pacific Symphony
- Orange County Register: Alexander Shelley Debuts
- Google Scholar: Pacific Symphony
- Newport Beach Independent: Alexander Shelley Announcement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Classical Music
- PR Newswire: Alexander Shelley Announcement
- Google News: Pacific Symphony
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
