Lucas Valley Orchestra is on the Prowl
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An orchestra based in the Eichler neighborhood of Upper Lucas Valley takes on Mozart, Elgar and Haydn in two concerts this month. Featured soloist on clarinet will be Alan Shonkoff, an active chamber musician whose day job involves neuropsychology, both in private practice and as an associate professor at Cal.
"Our Lucas Valley crowd is on the prowl again, with big plans for November 22 and 23,” says Frank LaHorgue, one of the founders of the orchestra, whose members sometimes play in his San Rafael house.
The orchestra, founded in 2011 by four residents of the neighborhood, performs without a conductor – which can be challenging but is worth it, LaHorgue says. “Who wants to have fun under a CEO?” The orchestra has about 30 players.
‘Mozart Without a Maestro,’ as the event is billed, will take place 3 p.m. Saturday, November 22, at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. Fans of modern or ranch style architecture might appreciate that the community center was designed by Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons.
On Sunday, November 23 the orchestra performs at Christ Presbyterian Church, 620 Del Granado Road, San Rafael. Both concerts are free. Donations are requested and will benefit, in El Cerrito, a youth scholarship fund and, in Marin, programs for people with developmental disabilities.
On the program are Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto K622, Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, and Haydn’s Symphony No. 99.
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LaHorgue, French horn, who founded the orchestra with neighbors Mark Yanover, violin, Ruth Koenig, violin, and Jennie Gowan, viola, describes how it came about:
“Yanover and Gowan played string quartets regularly with other Marin County players ... (other orchestra members) Bonnie Rasmussen and Chris Jennings specifically. I played in the College of Marin Symphony with Yanover. and with Mill Valley Philharmonic with several other original player-members. We grew the orchestra by inviting friends, and friends of friends.”
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