If you’ve never heard of a bassoon, you’re likely not alone. The lowest sounding member of the woodwind family will be on full display when the Redlands Symphony premieres a brand new concerto by Estonian-American composer Lembit Beecher on April 5th , 2025 at 7:30PM.

“The bassoon is a uniquely complex instrument with a beautiful tone, similar to that of a cello but more wooden,” explains Music Director and Conductor Ransom Wilson. “When we had the opportunity to be a part of creating a new concerto for this marvellous instrument, I jumped at the chance—especially when I learned it was being written for (and performed by) my good friend, the Estonian-American bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann.” Indeed, Mr. Kuuskmann will be the featured soloist for Redlands Symphony’s “The Wondrous Bassoon” concert. In addition to the world premiere of Mr. Beecher’s new work, the concert will feature a bassoon concerto by Antonio Vivaldi as well as two works for strings alone: Jessie Montgomery’s Strum and Antonin Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings. “Commissions like this are extremely important, not just for an orchestra itself but for the field of classical music,” remarks Executive Director Kevin Eberle-Noel. The Redlands Symphony is one of several organizations to fund part of the new bassoon concerto but was fortunate enough to get the very first performance. “As a bassoonist myself, I’m not-so-secretly looking forward to this concert the most,” joked Eberle-Noel.

Martin Kuuskmann was born in Soviet occupied Estonia in 1971. He went on to study at the Tallinn Music High School, Manhattan School of Music, and Yale School of Music. His performances and recording span an extraordinary range of style and genres and have earned him 3 Grammy nominations. In addition to touring, performing, and recording, Mr. Kuuskmann is the Associate Professor of Bassoon at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music.

Lembit Beecher was born to Estonian and American parents in Santa Cruz, California. Praised for his music that combines “alluring” textures (The News York Times) and vivid colors, Mr. Beecher’s music has been featured with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, the Julliard Quartet, Orlando Philharmonic, and Cabrillo Music Festival among other organizations.

“The Wondrous Bassoon” takes place Saturday, April 5th , 2025 at 7:30PM in the Memorial Chapel (101 Chapel Dr, Redlands) on the University of Redlands campus. Tickets range from $20-$80 for adults with discounts available for students and children. Discount tickets are available for veterans through our partner, VetTix.

For more information, please visit www.redlandssymphony.com or contact the Redlands Symphony Box Office at (909) 587-5565.

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On Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 7:30 PM, the Redlands Symphony will present the next installment of its Redlands Recital Series, featuring Principal Horn Adam Wolf in a solo performance at the First Presbyterian Church of Redlands.

Adam Wolf, a prominent figure in the Southern California music scene, has been the Principal Horn of the Redlands Symphony since 2018. In his upcoming recital, he will be accompanied by pianist Alex Mansour, performing a selection of works written by him and others that showcase the horn's expressive range and versatility. Wolf and Mansour will present the following program:

• Petit Piece for Horn by Yolande Uyttenhove
• Divertimento by Adam Wolf
• Vino Suite by Adam Wolf
• Smile by Charlie Chaplin, arr. Adam Wolf
• Nocturno by Franz Strauss
• Heroine by Adam Wolf
• Janjo by Adam Wolf
• Sonata, Movement 2 by Adam Wolf
• Breakin' Old Habits by Adam Wolf

The Redlands Recital Series offers an intimate concert experience, allowing attendees to connect personally with the musicians. Each performance lasts about 45-55 minutes and is followed by a meet-and-greet reception with the artist, included in the ticket price.

Tickets for Adam Wolf's recital are priced between $10 and $25. Students with valid ID can attend for free, courtesy of Sharon Collins. Tickets can be purchased through the Redlands Symphony's official website or by calling the box office at (909) 587-5565.

Attendees can expect an evening of captivating music, offering a unique opportunity to experience the horn in a solo setting. The post-performance reception provides a chance to engage with Adam Wolf and fellow music enthusiasts, making for a memorable and enriching experience.

The Redlands Recital Series is generously sponsored in part by Jerry and Marilyn Bean.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Redlands Symphony's official website or contact the box office directly.

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The halls of the Memorial Chapel are soon to be decked and the Redlands Symphony will add swinging tunes to your holiday playlists with the presentation of “Big Band Holiday,” the Symphony’s annual holiday concert. “Experiencing the electric energy of a big band ensemble made up of Redlands Symphony musicians is like nothing else our community will do this holiday season,” says Music Director Ransom Wilson. “Big Band Holiday” takes place on Saturday, December 14^th, 2024 at 7:30PM in the Memorial Chapel on the campus of the University of Redlands.

Joining 17 of the Redlands Symphony’s players will be guest conductor Gregory Robbins and Grammy-winning vocalist Sara Gazarek. Robbins is a conductor in high-demand making appearances with the Redlands Symphony, Norwalk Youth Symphony, Yonkers Philharmonic, Pazarjik Symphony (Bulgaria), and Symphony by the Sea. Gazarek is a multi-faceted vocalist and composer from Seattle, Washington, whose vocal ensemble, säje, won a Grammy for Best Arrangement of Instrumental and Vocals. Additionally, Gazarek’s debut solo album, Vanity¸ was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2019.

From old favorites like “White Christmas” and “Frosty the Snowman,” to new classics like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and Duke Ellington’s jazz arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, this family-friendly concert is sure to jingle your bells and but you in the holiday spirit in the most Redlands way possible.

Tickets range from $20 to $80 for adults with discounts available for children and students with valid ID.

For more information, please visit www.redlandssymphony.com or contact the Redlands Symphony Box Office at (909) 587-5565.

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On behalf of Music Director Ransom Wilson and the musicians of the Redlands Symphony, the Redlands Symphony Association announces the appointment of three principal musicians who will be joining the orchestra in the 24-25 season. "We are so excited to have these musicians—all of whom are at the top of their field and expert performers—join the orchestra, further enhancing our history of and commitment to the highest standards of music making for our community," remarks Music Director Ransom Wilson. Joining the orchestra are Rong-Huey Liu, Principal Oboe; Aristides Rivas, Principal Cello; and Jonathan Stehney, Principal Bassoon.

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Meet Rong-Huey Liu, you new Principal Oboist
The Nies Family Endowed Chair of Oboe

Taiwanese American oboist Rong-Huey Liu is a California- based high demand multi-faceted artist. As soloist she has performed concertos of Bach, Corigliano, Daugherty, Ferran, Kalliwoda, Lebrun, Marcello, Mozart, Navarro, Saul, and Strauss. As a Hollywood recording studio musician, Rong-Huey has collaborated with celebrities such as Inflo, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Chris Botti, Andrea Bocelli, Spinal Tap, The Who, and Weird Al. Her cinema credits include “Star War VIII”, “Hocus Pocus II”, “Disenchanted”, “Agents of SHIELD”, and “A Jazzman’s Blues”, to name a few.

Rong-Huey holds the principal oboe positions in the Redlands Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, Los Angeles Ballet, Fresno Philharmonic and Riverside County Philharmonic. She regularly performs and teaches at the music festival including the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy (FOOSA). Deeply committed to music education, Rong-Huey builds a diverse oboe studio with students from various cultures. background, and frequently serves as guest artist at numerous institutes. She holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.  She is currently the oboe professor at the University of Redlands, California State University Fullerton, La Sierra University, and Riverside City College.

Dr. Rong-Huey Liu is a Marigaux Artist.

Meet Aristides Rivas, your new Principal Cellist

Grammy nominated cellist Aristides Rivas is a founding member of the fusion world music band Voci Angelica Trio. Rivas has performed at a wide range of international music venues and festivals such as Caramoor Music Festival, Tanglewood, Carnegie Hall, Newport Jazz Festival, the Barbican in England, Sejong Center in South Korea, and Teatro Colon in Argentina, among others. Rivas is a specialist in El Sistema-inspired youth music programs and has presented at international conferences such as South Korea’s state run El Sistema conference, the ITAC4 at Carnegie Hall, and the El Sistema USA Symposium in 2019. Rivas is a cello faculty at California Baptist University.

Meet Jonathan Stehney, your new Principal Bassoonist

Dr. Jonathan Stehney's expertise ranges from performing Baroque music on period instruments to performing the most challenging contemporary and experimental music. He has traveled widely performing new works for bassoon and contrabassoon. Dr. Stehney has worked with such notable composers as Sofia Gubaidulina, Pierre Boulez, Péter Eötvös, Olga Neuwirth, James Tenney, Mark Menzies, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and others. He has studied extensively with Pascal Gallois, Paul Riveaux, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain.

Jonathan received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Bassoon Performance from CalArts, his Master of Music and Performance Certificate from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from SUNY Stonybrook. He is currently a free-lance musician in the greater Southern California region, performing with numerous orchestras, including the Long Beach Symphony, Redlands Symphony, assorted chamber ensembles and in recording studios, as well as an arranger for concert and theater works.

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"With the addition of these three Principal Musicians, we are looking forward to continuing the upward trajectory of artistic quality Maestro Wilson and all of our musicians have been so instrumental in achieving the past nine years," remarks RSA Board President Kathy Cencirulo.

The Redlands Symphony shares a special relationship with the University of Redlands which provides pathways for musicians on faculty at the University of Redlands Conservatory of Music to concurrently hold Principal chairs while on faculty at the University. "This unique partnership allows both the Symphony and the University to attract and retain top-tier talent and create an environment of collaboration among the two organizations and real world laboratory experiences for music students," says Executive Director Kevin Eberle-Noel.

The Redlands Symphony Association is grateful to the Nies Family for their endowment gift, naming the Principal Oboe chair as the Nies Family Endowed Chair as well as our musician chair sponsors: George & Helma Webber (Principal Oboe), Melodee & Scott Seccombe (Principal Cello), and Target Lumber Sales, Inc. (Principal Bassoon).

The upcoming Redlands Symphony season will be full of fantastic music and celebrations of Music Director Ransom Wilson and his exemplary 9-year tenure at the musical helm of the orchestra. Maestro Wilson will step down from the post of Music Director and Conductor at the conclusion of the 2024—2025 season.

A renowned flutist and conductor, Ransom Wilson was selected to succeed Jon Robertson as Music Director and Conductor of the Redlands Symphony in 2016. Under Wilson’s baton the orchestra has seen growth in both its concert offerings including the Redlands Recital Series, diversity of repertoire, and artistic capabilities of the orchestra.

“While our community only gets one more season to celebrate Ransom’s artistry and leadership before he moves on to other projects, I am excited to be able to share in the season he has crafted for our friends and neighbors in our region,” says Redlands Symphony Association Board President Kathryn Cencirulo. The Symphony will offer six subscription concerts, one afternoon relaxed concert perfect for families, two happy hour rehearsal experiences, and three chamber music recitals as part of Maestro Wilson’s farewell season.

Ransom Wilson reflected on his departure in this way: “As I begin my last season as your Music Director, my mind Is flooded with memories of transcendent music making. Conducting the Redlands Symphony has, simply put, been one of the highlights of my career. The world-famous Redlands community spirit coupled with some truly great musicians has made the past 8 years really meaningful and memorable. As I concentrate on a new challenge—building an orchestra of young musicians from the group up in Alabama—my experience in Redlands will be the benchmark by which I judge our progress. I will miss everyone in Redlands, orchestra and community alike…but I rest easy in the knowledge that I will be leaving the orchestra in much better shape than when I arrived. I for one am going to enjoy every second of this coming season!”

The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) named Redlands Symphony Executive Director Dr. Kevin Eberle-Noel to the ACSO Board of Directors. Eberle-Noel joins Dean McVay, Past President of the San Bernardino Symphony and current ACSO Board member, as the Inland Empire representation, providing context and advocacy for orchestras in greater San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

"I'm thrilled to be joining the Board of this critically important organization. ACSO provides so much to orchestras and arts administrators; I'm grateful to be a part of representing the Inland Empire and smaller, professional orchestras in the California orchestra community," says Eberle-Noel. As a member of the Board, Eberle-Noel will be instrumental in supporting the efforts of ACSO Executive Director Sarah Weber and the mission of ACSO: to provide essential leadership and resources to classical music advocates and organizations, encouraging and supporting their artistic, organizational, and fiscal development. Eberle-Noel's 3-year term begins in October 2023.

For more information on ACSO's work, visit their website at www.acso.org

Redlands, Calif. (July 10, 2023) - With our 23-24 concert season on the horizon, the Redlands Symphony is excited to announce its new President of the Board, Kathy Cencirulo, and incoming Board Members Dr. Robert Bourne and Dr. Ronald Warnell.

Cencirulo served as Vice Chair of the Symphony Board from 2021 to 2023 and brings with her a wealth of experience from her background in teaching, non-profit service and involvement in many Redlands organizations.

A love and passion for music is a must for any Symphony Board member, and that is certainly true of new members Bourne and Warnell. Bourne is a longtime attendee of the Symphony and a physician with Beaver Medical Group. Warnell, also a longtime Symphony attendee, is a psychiatrist and recently finished a term as the President of the Spinet Music Club.

“As we look at this transition in Board leadership for the Symphony, I am absolutely thrilled that these music loving–and most importantly Redlands loving–individuals will lend their time and talents to the Redlands Symphony Association, helping us continue the strong progress made in the last year in taking the Symphony to a new level,” notes Executive Director Dr. Kevin Eberle-Noel.

The Symphony also welcomes Dr. Karen Hansberger as Vice President, Julie Michaels as Secretary, Dr. Sharen Jeffries as Treasurer and Luann Bangsund as Past President.

Finishing their terms are Past Chair Marilyn Solter, Secretary Denise Bourne and Board Member Jennifer von Maack, who leave the Symphony’s Board with our thanks for outstanding service over the last several years. Each of these women helped contribute to the Redlands Symphony’s mission and helped us continue our community efforts.

With eyes on the future, the Redlands Symphony is excited about our new President and Board Members.

Redlands Symphony is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring, entertaining and educating by providing outstanding musical performances that enhance our unique cultural environment. Our goal is to reach art lovers across the region to foster that love, create new music lovers and inspire community and connectivity for all.

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