Reviews
Making the Symphony Everybody's Business
Noemi Vera, Julie Lim, Nicola Reilly and Virginia Marine are the directors of the Monterey Symphony, which performs monthly concerts at Sunset Center and occasionally at the Forest Theater. Photo by Manny Espinoza
Women in Business
THE WOMEN behind the Monterey Symphony work in near-perfect harmony — even though only one of them is a classically trained performer.
Musicianship isn't a job requirement, but all four directors have been asked to stretch their creativity in ways they never imagined. Their goal: Make centuries-old music exciting for younger, modern ears without losing touch with the devoted audience that has carried the nonprofit orchestra into its 80th year.
‘Rock star' Violinist Joins Symphony, Makes Sunset Center Debut
On a High Note
ONE OF classical music's most electrifying stars, violinist Stefan Jackiw joins the Monterey Symphony when it performs Tchaikovsky's thrilling Violin Concerto Saturday, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, 3 p.m., at Sunset Center.
The concert marks the first time that Jackiw — whose name is pronounced jack-EEV — has played with the symphony or visited Sunset Center.
"I've watched his career over two decades," symphony President and CEO Nicola Reilly told The Pine Cone. "He's a rock star violinist — he performs with incredible intensity. I can't wait to see the concert. He's so much fun to watch."
Spring Symphony
Stefan Jackiw, one of the country's foremost violinists, debuts with the Monterey Symphony, performing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. Photo by SANGWOOK LEE
MC Weekly Hot Picks
The Monterey Symphony's March performance weekend is packed with a star violinist and a new work the Symphony co-commissioned as part of its eighth anniversary celebration. The program opens with the new composition "Moño," by Marina López, born and raised in Mexico City, now Pittsburgh-based. Stefan Jackiw, one of the country's foremost violinists who is playing with the Monterey Symphony for the first time, will perform Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.
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| February 20, 2026 | Singers Join Symphony at Sunset - On a High Note | |
| November 21, 2025 | Symphony Welcomes Pianist at Sunset - On a High Note | |
| October 17, 2025 | Composer, Saxophonist Team up to Kick Off Symphony's 80th Season - On a High Note | |
| September 29, 2025 | Celebrating Classical Music - Monterey Symphony Marks 80 Years of Excellence | |
| September 12, 2025 | Another ‘Love Letter' Arrives - On a High Note | |
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| May 16, 2025 | Symphony's Finale - On a High Note | |
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| April 25, 2025 | Symphony celebrates Mozart - On a High Note | |
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