Featured Grantee Interview: Orchestra Santa Monica

10 Feb Featured Grantee Interview: Orchestra Santa Monica

Featured Grantee Interview: Orchestra Santa Monica
Type of art/cultural activity: Music 
Name/Position: Roger Kalia, Music Director 
Years working and/or living in Santa Monica: Two years 

What are your organization’s most important programs? 
Orchestra Santa Monica (OSM) presents live concerts featuring from 25 to 55 musicians. OSM concerts feature music from the classical and romantic periods to minimalist and contemporary works. Rapidly pivoting during the pandemic, an online series was launched last March. The series includes Classical Music Watch Parties, Classical Music Trivia Nights, and interviews with Kalia and guests.

What are the most interesting things you do that Santa Monicans may not know about? 
We host musical workshops at the local teen center, present small ensembles in the Santa Monica Main Library, give mini-performances in Reed Park, give chamber performances at Laemmle Live and the Santa Monica Family “Y”, and do pre-concert Happy Hours at local restaurants.

What’s your favorite inspirational quote? 
“Music is nourishment, a comforting elixir. Music multiplies all that is beautiful and of value in life.”
– Zoltán Kodály

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