2015 Slideshow September 30, 2015 Opening Night crowds gather in front of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Photo by rr jones. The Pre-concert Talk on Opening Night featured composers Jonathan Newman, Huang Ruo, David T. Little, Sebastian Currier, and Mason Bates. Photo by rr jones. Composers Jonathan Newman, David T. Little, and Sebastian Currier on Opening Night. Photo by rr jones. Have cello, will travel! Virginia Kron makes the trek each year from Ojai. Photo by rr jones. Staff photographer and local legend Ron Jones takes a breather at the Civic Auditorium. All-volunteer ushers, led by indominitable House Manager Jennifah Chard. Plus rogue Tech Director, Mike Johnson, front and center! Photo by rr jones. Tim Fain (violin), Matt Haimovitz (cello), and Maestra Marin Alsop enjoy applause at the Civic. Photo by rr jones. Composer Nico Muhly introduces his work Wish You Were Here. Photo by rr jones. Composer Sean Shepherd, following the West Coast premiere of his Blue Blazes. Photo by rr jones. Composer Missy Mazzoli introduces her Detroit-inspired work River Rouge Transfiguration. Photo by rr jones. Timpanist Scott Christian gets familiar with the gargantuan 13-piece setup required for Mason Bates' Anthology of Fantastic Zoology. Photo by rr jones. Principal trumpet Craig Morris blows a conch shell in rehearsal for Huang Ruo's The Color Yellow. Photo by rr jones. Principal trombone Ava Ordman enjoys a chuckle during rehearsal. Photo by rr jones. A sea of bows and scrolls surround principal violin II Matt Albert. Photo by rr jones. Violinist Rob Simonds treated donors to a special pre-season private recital concert at the Civic on Aug 1. Photo by Jess Frye 2015 Conductor/Composer Workshop participants, auditors, and composers, with faculty (at rear): Huang Ruo, Marin Alsop, and James Ross. Photo by rr jones. Conductors Workshop participant Andres Lopera. Photo by rr jones. Conducting faculty James Ross refines a point with participant Stefano Sarzani. Photo by rr jones. Conductors Workshop participant Deanna Tham. Photo by rr jones. Marin Alsop coaches Caleb Young in the Conductors Workshop. Photo by rr jones. Student Staff Ensemble members perform a concert of original works. Photo by rr jones. Student Staff Ensemble members perform a concert of original works. Photo by rr jones. Student Staff members enjoy a special opportunity, to sit "Inside the Orchestra!" Photo by rr jones. Composer Huang Ruo and sheng master Wu Wei in rehearsal with conductor Marin Alsop. Photo by rr jones. Concertmaster Justin Bruns, violinist Tim Fain, percussionist Svet Stoyanov, trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth, flautist Lauren sileo, composer/harpist Hannah Lash, cellist Matt Haimovitz, and composer/pianist Nico Muhly following a chamber concert at Nestldown. Photo by rr jones. Composer Nathaniel Stookey and conductor Marin Alsop share a laugh in rehearsal. Photo by rr jones. Extraordinary Norwegian trumpet soloist Tine Thing Helseth rehearses the US premiere of James MacMillan's Epiclesis. Photo by rr jones. . Tim Fain (violin), Matt Haimovitz (cello), and Maestra Marin Alsop have a pre-rehearsal session for Philip Glass' Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. Photo by rr jones. Marin Alsop introduces a Festival newcomer, Mexican composer Ana Lara, to the Festival Orchestra. Photo by rr jones. The 2015 season had a decidedly fresh young vibe, welcoming composers Charles Halka, Sean Shepherd, Missy Mazzoli, Hannah Lash, and Nico Muhly. Photo by rr jones. A crown of coulds above our beloved venue, the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Photo by rr jones. Meet the Composers panel included Nathaniel Stookey, David T. Little, Huang Ruo, Sebastian Currier, and Jonathan Newman. Photo by rr jones. Kronos Quartet, following their Sunday evening chamber concert at the Civic Auditorium. Photo by rr jones. Sheng soloist Wu Wei, composer Huang Ruo, and conductor Marin Alsop following the West Coast premiere of Ruo's The Color Yellow. Photo by rr jones. Composer Mason Bates following the West Coast premiere of his Anthology of Fantastic Zoology. Photo by rr jones. Marin Alsop moderates a post-concert talkback with (L-R) composers Jonathan Newman, Sebastian Currier, soloist Wu Wei, and composer Huang Ruo. Photo by rr jones. Marin Alsop and Scottish percussionist Colin Currie in rehearsal. Photo by rr jones. Principal percussionist Galen Lemmon reviews the MacMillan score with soloist Colin Currie. Photo by rr jones. Colin Currie and Marin Alsop, following the US premiere of James MacMillan's Percussion Concerto No.2. Photo by rr jones. Wu Wei demonstrates the sheng for fascinated Open Rehearsal attendees. Photo by rr jones. Composer Mason Bates introduces his Anthology of Fantastic Zoology to the orchestra. Photo by rr jones. Festival newcomer Sebastian Currier talks to the orchestra during rehearsal. Photo by rr jones. "Dubstep, anyone?" Composer Jonathan Newman reviews the diverse influsences found in Blow It Up, Start Again. Photo by rr jones. Ashwin Batish and his Sitar Power Enemble on the Church Street Fair Stage. Photo by rr jones. Domu Africa invites the audience on stage for a dance lesson during the Church Street Fair. Photo by rr jones. Balinese dancer moves to the sounds of Gamelan Anak Swarasanti. Photo by rr jones. Composer/performers from the Little Opera troupe (including Festival composer Nathaniel Stookey's daughter!). Photo by rr jones. Composer/narrator Nathaniel Stookey has fun with the Lemony Snicket libretto of The Composer is Dead during the Free Family Concert. Photo by rr jones. A special guest filled in for a missing percussionist during the Free Family Concert! Photo by rr jones. Conductor/(percussionist?) Marin Alsop gets some coaching from Jim Kassis. Photo by rr jones. A young audience member plays "find the cellist" with Jennifer Humphreys during the Free Family Concert's Tour of the Orchestra. Photo by rr jones. Principal harp Nuiko Wadden invites kids to get up-close during the Tour of the Orchestra. Photo by rr jones. Maestra Marin Alsop pops out for a photo with the young musicians of El Sistema Santa Cruz. Photo by Crystal Birns. Conductor Marin Alsop applauds the incredible Cabrillo Festival Orchestra. Photo by rr jones. Tine Thing Helseth makes a grand exit from Mission San Juan Bautista. Photo by rr jones.