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A citywide blackout during their first performance 10 years ago couldn't stop the Mission Chamber Orchestra. Audience members stood behind musicians illuminating music sheets so the newly founded orchestra could continue to play. The inaugural performance culminated in a standing ovation.
"It was a pretty cheap way to get a standing ovation," Music Director Emily Ray says, laughing while describing the challenging debut.
Nearly a decade has passed since a small group of serious amateur musicians were looking for a place to play together. Most venues required insurance coverage that the orchestra simply couldn't afford in its infancy. Ray, a professor at Mission Community College, found a way for the group to stage its first show on the campus that fateful day in 1996 when most of Santa Clara County was experiencing a power blackout. Traffic lights were out, which proved challenging but not impossible for all but one musician to make it to their chairs on time. An emergency generator on the campus saved the performance until the last minute, when audience members came through with flashlights to finish the piece.
These days, Mission Chamber Orchestra has found a reliable stage in Le Petit Trianon, located at 72 N. Fifth St. in downtown San Jose. Large enough to accommodate the 37-member community orchestra, the group is able to hold most concerts in the unique space.
The orchestra is a community effort and requires flexibility from all of its members. Musicians volunteer their talents and work rehearsal time and performances around full-time jobs and other musical commitments. The group also works with high school students in the South Bay. The first concert of the season will showcase art from students at Lincoln High School, an arts magnet school in the San Jose Unified School District. The creations, projected behind the orchestra, are chosen to suit the music. After listening to a recording of the music that will be performed, the students create art inspired by the piece.
Ray encourages the students to attend the performance to view their art and gain exposure to classical music.
"I'm so excited about this season," says Ray, who hopes to see more people in the audience this year. "We're hoping to fill the void of the San Jose Symphony," she adds, referring to the recently bankrupt symphony that has been forced to skip a performing season this year.
Benefiting from a grant from the city of San Jose, the orchestra will play with two professional soloists during its first two shows.
The 200203 season, beginning Sept. 29 at 7 p.m., includes four concerts. The first welcomes back from England violinist Pip Clarke. She follows up last year's performance of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with Concerto No. 3. The second show at Le Petit Trianon will feature Los Angelesbased cellist Ani Aznavoorian and Tschaikowsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme on Nov. 3.
The orchestra's final two performances of the season will feature several special guests, requiring larger performance venues. The International Friendship Celebration in February will include the San Jose Symphonic Choir and Cantabile Children's Chorus at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. The season finale will be held in the Sun Microsystems Auditorium in April. Emmy awardwinner Bruce Broughton will guest conduct the orchestra as it performs familiar music from film and television.
Tickets can be purchased at the door. Most concerts are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors and $5 for children under 12. Visit www.missionchamber.org for concert information.
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