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PACO turns 60, and we’re celebrating with the whole PACO family! All five orchestras come together for an afternoon of music, memories, and holiday spirit. This year’s Extravaganza features two special guests, cellists Alex Hersh and Coleman Itzkoff, both carry PACO in their family stories. Together, Alex and Coleman join Senior PACO for Vivaldi’s Double Cello Concerto and his A minor and B minor Cello Concertos. Sollima’s Violoncelles, Vibrez! puts the spotlight on PACO’s cellists, while a collaboration with the Peninsula Women’s Chorus brings Vivaldi’s Gloria to the celebration. Six decades, five orchestras, generations of musicians—and one very big PACO party!
Come see ALL FIVE orchestras share on the concert stage as our Holiday Extravaganza delights concert goers with dazzling artistry while we kick off the holiday season by celebrating that together, we’re better.
Pre-concert reception starts at 1:45 PM. Doors open at 2:35 PM.
About Alexander Hersh:
Having given his Carnegie Hall recital debut in 2022, cellist Alexander Hersh has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and creative talents of his generation. He frequently appears as soloist with major orchestras, including the Houston Symphony, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and Boston POPS, and has received top prizes at competitions worldwide including the: 2024 Naumburg International Cello Competition, 2022 Pro Musicis International Award, 2020 Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant, 2019 Astral Artists National Auditions, National Federation of Music Clubs Biennial Young Artists Competition, New York International Artists Association Competition, Friends of the Minnesota Orchestra, Ima Hogg, Schadt, Artist Concerts Series National Solo Competition, Luminarts Classical Music Fellowship, Borromeo String Quartet Guest Artist Award, Hellam Young Artist Competition, Boston Pops/New England Conservatory Competition, Jefferson Symphony International Young Artists Competition, Society of American Musicians, Saint Paul String Quartet, and the Fischoff National Chamber Music competition.
About Coleman Itzkoff:
Coleman Itzkoff is a cellist and performer with an omnivorous artistic appetite. His work moves between concert halls, theaters, dance stages, and film, driven by curiosity and a readiness to enter unfamiliar territory. He is as drawn to the intimacy of chamber music and the invention of a continuo band as to the demands of a concerto or a role in a theater or dance company. A founding member of the American Modern Opera Company (AMOC) and a core member of Ruckus and Twelfth Night, he has helped create a body of work spanning new commissions and collaborations, reimagined Baroque repertoire, and theatrical productions in which he performs as an instrumentalist, actor, and dancer.
About Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra:
The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO) is an award-winning youth orchestra for regional string musicians of high school age and younger. PACO's five ensembles, SuperStrings, Preparatory, Debut, Sinfonia, and Senior PACO, each have approximately 25-30 members who rehearse weekly and perform throughout the year, presenting an extraordinary level of music-making and commitment to their art.
At PACO, we believe that making music and lifelong friends are best achieved in an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork. Our focus on small orchestras and chamber music makes that possible, and we minimize internal competition to foster creativity and collaboration for our young musicians. PACO students get many opportunities to work with each other across orchestra levels, knitting our musical family together and providing teaching and learning opportunities for all. Teamwork, compassion, empathy, and imagination are hallmarks of our community. More than just learning how to play the notes, our students learn the real meaning and value of playing well with others.
PACO was founded in 1966 by local violinist, teacher, and conductor William Whitson, who served as the orchestra's music director for 36 years. During that time, Mr. Whitson established PACO as one of the nation's premier youth ensembles. From 2002 to 2023, violist Benjamin Simon continued the tradition of excellence while bringing fresh energy and exciting direction to PACO's programs. Appointed Music Director in 2023, cellist Scott Krijnen has taken the baton from Mr. Simon, leading the 5-orchestra organization and collaborating with guest conductors, fellows, and faculty, while continuing to bring excellence in music performance and education through chamber music and chamber orchestras.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3924228-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3924228-2
