Corona, CA Symphony Orchestra Announces Debut Concert

FIRST NIGHT launches new symphony for Riverside County community 'This concert is the beginning of a dream come true for the Corona community!' - Don Kindred, CSO Co-Founder

CORONA, Calif., The Corona Symphony Orchestra announces the details of its debut concert, FIRST NIGHT, August 23rd, 8:00 PM (PDT) at the historic CORONA CIVIC CENTER. Conducted by Marco Mejia, the program includes: Handel's "Royal Fireworks," Mendelssohn's "Overture for Winds," and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 1."

Tickets for this first concert are available by phone at the ticket office (951.273.1375) or via email to boxoffice@coronasymphonyorchestra.com. Reserved seating admission is $15. For more information about the symphony and the debut concert, FIRST NIGHT, visit the website, http://www.coronasymphonyorchestra.org. The historic Corona Civic Center Auditorium is located at 815 W. 6th Street, Corona, CA.
Corona Symphony Orchestra conductor, Marco Mejia describes the music being performed at this initial concert as, "A First Night of classic master works establishing the old and paving a path for the new." CSO's newly appointed Artistic Director, Walt Straiton adds that, "We look forward to creating a wide variety of stimulating and diverse musical programs over the next few years, as CSO performs a range of music geared to all tastes."

The Corona Symphony Orchestra is organized as a non-profit orchestra, presently without financial compensation to its members and will create expanding musical, cultural, and educational programs that not only entertain, but also enrich the Corona and Riverside community. The symphony's repertoire will explore many genres: classics, choral works, light opera, pops, film and television scores, original works, and more. It also plans to support the City of Corona in selected civic events; cultivate a relationship with local schools for promoting the life-enriching and elevating quality of the arts; foster the growth of student musicians through mentor relationships and performance opportunities; provide accompaniment resources for local choral and theatrical groups; and numerous other contributions to our community.

Marco A. Mejia, a native of the Riverside area, holds a music degree from California Baptist University, where he studied under the renowned choral conductor Dr. Gary Bonner. He is soon to earn his Masters degree from California State University Fullerton where he studies orchestral conducting under the tutelage of Maestro Kimo Furamoto. At the university, Mejia serves as a graduate conductor for the symphony orchestra and works with the Opera Department as the assistant conductor. As a soloist, Mejia has studied under concert clarinetist Hakan Rosengren and Vanguard University's head of vocal faculty, Dr. Susan Reed.