Founded in 2003 by Professor Georgette Popa, the Irvine Classical Players offers a wide variety of programs including the Olympic Chamber Music Program, the Irvine Classical Players Chamber Orchestra, and the Seraphim Symphony.
In order to assure the highest level of performance and musicianship, members of the Irvine Classical Players have the opportunity to participate in sectionals and master classes with world-renowned soloists and pedagogues. While tending to the multifaceted needs of the young emerging artists, including the debut solo performances on the international stage, members of the Irvine Classical Players participate in international concert tours every other year.
The membership of the Irvine Classical Players includes students from a number of the finest private music studios in Orange County, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of Southern California.
Mission Statement
The Irvine Classical Players’ mission is to provide a highly competitive, artistic, musical environment in which every outstanding young musician has the unique opportunity to perform as a soloist within an orchestral setting. The Irvine Classical Players is dedicated to educating, promoting, nurturing and premiering, nationally and internationally the next generation of young artist performers.
Rehearsals
The Seraphim Symphony rehearses on Fridays, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at Concordia University, Irvine, CA 92604.
The Irvine Classical Players Orchestra rehearses on Fridays, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, at Concordia University, Irvine, CA 92604.
History
International Concert Tours
In the summer of 2004, the Irvine Classical Players Orchestra was the only orchestra representing the United States at the 60th D-Day Anniversary celebrations at the War and Peace Museum in Caen, Normandy.
During the 2004 France Concert Tour, the Irvine Classical Players also performed in world-renowned, soulful sites such as the Benedictine Abbey of Mount Saint Michael in Normandy, the IX century Abbey de Lehon, and the Cathedral in the fortress city of Saint Malo, both in Brittany.
In 2006, the Irvine Classical Players were invited to perform at the World Youth Orchestra Festival in Florence, Italy. During the Italy Concert Tour, the Irvine Classical Players also performed in Rome, Venice and Trevi.
In 2008, the Irvine Classical Players completed a second international concert tour to France, with performances in the Latin Quarter, Paris, the Bassilica of Vezelay, where Mistislav Rostropovich recorded his Bach Solo Cello Suites, the magnificent Notre Dame de Fourviere Basilica in Lyon, and the X century Eglise de Saint Trophin, located in the heart of Arles.
During the Spain-Portugal Concert Tour in the summer of 2010, the Irvine Classical Players performed in Toledo; Santiago de Compostela, Spain; and Porto, Portugal. The Irvine Classical Players’ featured 16 soloists performing on various instruments.
During the Irvine Classical Players’ international concert tours, numerous students have been featured as soloists.
Contemporary Music
In addition to working with the “classical repertoire,” the Irvine Classical Players is committed to promote the understanding and performance of works composed by contemporary, “living composers”. One such example is The Hedgehog Hustle by the Los Angeles composer Allen Menton. Performed as a world premiere in Paris, France, the work was received with exceptional interest and acclaim.
The Irvine Classical Players also had the pleasure of performing Matthew Tommasini’s Iberian Sketches during our 2010 Spain-Portugal Concert Tour.
Both works were composed for the Irvine Classical Players.
Walt Disney Concert Hall Performance
In 2011, the Irvine Classical Players was the only chamber orchestra in the U.S. officially selected to perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the famed home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its Music Director, Gustavo Dudamel.
During the performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, we featured the following soloists:
- Phoebe Pan: J.S. Bach Piano Concerto in A Major
- Steve Hart, our principal violist: Ernest Bloch Suite Hebraique
- Vinson Luo, Bradley Bascon, and Eddie Yu, our concertmaster: Kabalevsky Violin Concerto in C Major
Upcoming Concert Tours
The Irvine Classical Players is proud to announce that it has received the official invitation from the Mayor of London to perform during the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Our 2012 London Olympic Games Concert Tour will include performances in Oxford, Bristol, the 900 year old Saint Gile’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the most anticipated performance of the year 2012, our performance in the Olympic Park in London.
File: London 2012 Olympic Games Concert Tour Audition Flyer (PDF)