Welcome
Welcome new players!! You will find our culture to be both challenging and nurturing. As a community ensemble, you might be sitting between a young up-and-comer and a seasoned master.
We do not hold formal auditions, but rather schedule informal meetings with the Director, and occasionally, the section leader, to chat, and hear a tiny bit of music. Placement in the sections is based upon the overall sound of the ensemble, not "challenges" or auditions each term.
Upcoming Repertoire
Upcoming Repertoire
Palomar Symphony Orchestra (PSO) 2023-2024 Season – “Journeys in Time”
October 22, 2023
Sunday 2pm
PSO
Time flies/Rhapsody in Blue! Travel with us in space and time to 100 years of New York City of the 20. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the remodeled Howard Brubeck Theatre with Professor Emeritus Dr. Peter Gach, soloist on George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” which turns 100 years old in 2024! Other Big Apple music by Aaron Copland (Quiet City), Leonard Bernstein (Selections from West Side Story), Madelyn Byrne (Nocturne), and Duke Ellington!
December 1 & 2, 2023
Friday 7 pm & Saturday 7pm
PSO (and choirs)
Time of the Winter Solstice The Palomar Chorale and Palomar Chamber Singers join with the Palomar Symphony Orchestra to present selections from Shawn Kirchner’s “The Light of Hope Returning” and viola soloist Ondrej Lewit in Ellen Weller’s “Intervals of Peace.” Other orchestra piece TBA
April 5 & 6, 2024
Friday 7 pm & Saturday 7pm
PSO (and choirs)
Time for Introspection The PSO and Palomar Choirs and invited choirs present Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem.”
May 12, 2024
Sunday 2pm
PSO
Time for the Future Discover the next generation of musicians as Palomar student composers and soloists unite with the Palomar Symphony Orchestra in a spectacular Palomar Music Showcase! Our second half will be a spectacular full Romantic Symphony. We also welcome back our young partner ensemble, Fortissimo Orchestra, directed by Shannon Yandall.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will begin promptly at 6:45 pm in Room D-6, so please plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so that we are set up and ready to tune at 6:45 pm. Please plan to remain for the entire rehearsal, unless dismissed earlier. Sectionals for both strings and winds will be held during regular rehearsal times and are scheduled or TBA.
The bulk of what we do as musicians occurs during rehearsals. The quality of the collective musical experience is dependent upon individual effort and responsibility, both during and in between rehearsals. Please be prompt and have your parts prepared. If you are unable to attend a regular rehearsal, please contact your section leader ASAP and arrange for a sub.
Dress rehearsals will be held at the designated performance venue during the week of each concert or D6. Attendance at these rehearsals is mandatory. If you have a conflict with any of these rehearsals, please provide me with a written statement of the conflict date and reason ASAP.
Please be aware that attendees will be required to complete the necessary COVID-19 protocols set in place with Palomar College.
Parking Info
Students may now purchase the student parking permit through their MyPalomar student account. Parking Services uses a contactless parking digital system for purchasing parking permits on all Palomar College campuses which allows for up to 5 vehicles to be “registered” to one student. The license plate number will act as the parking permit eliminating the need for a physical permit to be displayed in the vehicle. Students will no longer need to move a permit from one vehicle to another. However, students are only allowed to have one vehicle registered to them parked on campus at any time.
If you have any further questions, please contact Candy Santos (csantos@palomar.edu) or Shellsea Divine (sdivine@palomar.edu).
No one, except faculty, is allowed to park in the faculty lot in front of the “D” building (lot 1). If you choose not to purchase a parking permit you will be parking at your own risk and the PAD cannot assume any responsibilities.
Sprinter
NCTD SPRINTER/BREEZE: Cost $57.60 per month for Palomar students. Adult Regional monthly passes are sold for Palomar College students with valid I.D. and enrollment verification at the cashier windows (Administration Building) on the main campus. Many BREEZE bus routes serve Palomar College in both San Marcos and Escondido. The main campus in San Marcos conveniently has a SPRINTER station located just south of Mission Road.
Contact
If you are interested in playing with the PSO, please fill in this contact form with your instrument and experience. We will reach out to speak with you and set up an audition if applicable.