Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO) is a Livermore-based premier ensemble of eight to 42 experienced, professional musicians that enriches local communities with inspiring performances. Music Director and Conductor Lawrence Kohl, who co-founded PCO in 1989, oversees a versatile repertoire ranging from Baroque to classical symphonies to more contemporary works. The nonprofit also offers a variety of educational programs.

PCO will present a wonderful program featuring Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor with violinist Livia Sohn, Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3, known as “Scottish,” and Fanny Mendelssohn Overture in C major on Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 pm at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church and on Sunday, April 28, at 3:00 pm at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater. Sohn's prolific career includes performances with renowned US orchestras in Boston, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh; with European orchestras in Berlin, Budapest, and Prague; and internationally with orchestras in Africa, Asia, and South America.

“Ms. Sohn appeared with PCO some years back in a fabulous performance of Mozart’s Symphony Duo Concertante,” notes Kohl. “Her performance of Bruch's Violin Concerto #1 in G minor will sing with the verve of the early Romantic Era explorations and with the lyric and passion of the later era's greatest compositions.”

Many arts organizations have been struggling with how to redefine themselves post-Covid, according to Kohl. "Excellent artistry and a meaningful program used to be enough to draw an audience.” Post-Covid, he says, “attitudes have changed somewhat. The audience also wants to feel engaged and uplifted by an incredible, joyful, communal experience."

Recently, PCO freshened its marketing approach and audience engagement to remind audiences of the unique experiences available by attending performances with outstanding professionals such as Sohn. Current marketing materials are designed to be more appealing. To help make the musicians seem less distant, for example, they now dress formally in black but no longer wear tuxedos or tails. Musicians mingle with the audience post-concert. Volunteers and donors become part of the PCO network and family.

“It is still absolutely great music but presented in a way that gets people to feel like we are all in this together,” notes Kohl. “Our motto is Artistry Passionately Shared. Those three words indicate our professional dedication and community engagement. The motto reflects our education programs as well as our main concerts. The education programs introduce children to this whole concept of empathy, of sharing, of achieving, of teamwork–all the things that are involved in music and development.”

PCO’s Discover Music program introduces the fundamentals of classical music to more than 6,000 elementary school children each year. Its educational clinics offer professional ensemble coaching and techniques to middle and high school music ensembles. “There have been tons of studies about the impact of classical music and education, and how children who take up instruments or participate in music actively become better students,” Kohl says.

There are several ways to support PCO. In addition to attending concerts, they include donating to the nonprofit, volunteering, becoming a sponsor, and participating in fundraisers such as the very first Tri-Valley Craft Cocktail Competition, which will be held on Saturday, May 4, at the Bankhead Theater between 4:30 and 7 pm.

At this unique event, tasty nibbles from local restaurants will be offered along with luscious libations from more than 15 creative bartenders competing to win prizes by crafting the best cocktails.Proceeds from the PCO Tri-Valley Craft Cocktail Competition 2024 will support Pacific Chamber Orchestra’s main concerts and in-school music education programs. “Music is an incredible force for goodness that brings people together,” says Kohl.

For more information about Pacific Chamber Orchestra or to buy tickets to its events, please visit www.pacificchamberorchestra.org.