Musical Homecoming: MHS Alum to Enchant with Classical Guitar
Moorpark Unified School District
February 22, 2024
When Michael Gullo plays the first notes of the beloved guitar piece the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo in front of the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra on March 9, it will mark the end of a musical journey that began more than two years earlier with an email.
“Michael had reached out to the orchestra about two years ago and shared that he was a musician who would like to perform with us,” said Geri Freeland, a founding member of the Moorpark Symphony and the head of its programming committee. “He struck me as a very serious, very nice student musician who was learning the ropes of how to be a performer and was looking for an opportunity to perform.”
Gullo, a 26-year-old classical guitarist who graduated from Moorpark High School and recently earned his bachelor’s from Pepperdine University, met with Freeland to discuss a possible accompaniment with the nonprofit orchestra that began in 2019. Continue Reading...
The concert, Espana, will be March 9 at 7 p.m. at Walnut Canyon's auditorium, 280 Casey Road, in Moorpark. For tickets, visit https://www.moorparksymphony.com/tickets
Former Disney composer takes lead role with symphony orchestra
October 08, 2022
By Zia Zografos
zia@theacorn.com
Conductor Charles Fernandez has composed music for Disney television series and movies and has performed on stages across the world. Now he’s taken the baton at the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra. The new music director and conductor started in August. Since then, the community orchestra has moved into a new concert hall at Walnut Canyon Arts and Technology Magnet School and is tuning up for its first performance of the season later this month.
“We’re hugely excited,” said Andy Siditsky, president of the orchestra’s board of directors. “The stage is better suited for an orchestra. And it’s a beautiful auditorium. The (school district) has done a great job upgrading it.”
Fernandez served as guest conductor of the Moorpark symphony at three concerts prior to his hiring. After a monthlong audition trial, he landed the job over two competing conductors. He’s now busy leading rehearsals for the orchestra’s “Celebration of Love in Music” concert Oct. 29. Continue Reading...
Fernandez’s website is www.charlesfernandez.com
Concert to premier ‘Moorpark Suite’
May 07, 2022
The Moorpark Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Fri., May 27 at the Moorpark Presbyterian Church, 13959 Peach Hill Road.
The concert will showcase how “music brings the community together” with a program of American music.
Works include “Festive Overture” by William Grant Stills, “American Salute” by Morton Gould, “Lincoln Portrait” Aaron Copland with narration by John Barlow, and the world premiere of “Moorpark Suite” by Stephen W. Burch, a multimedia experience in partnership with the Moorpark Historical Society.
“Moorpark Suite” is a symphonic experience that presents the story Moorpark’s history through music and video archival images.
Charles Fernandez will conduct the orchestra. Link to Original Article
Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10.
Moorpark Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit organization and community orchestra. All donations go toward funding performances.
For more information, go to MoorparkSymphony.Org