The Eastern Sierra Symphony Orchestra

In 1983, eighteen hardy pioneers playing Mozart began the tradition that is now the Eastern Sierra Symphony Orchestra. Classical music in the Eastern Sierra proved to be a huge success, and each succeeding year has seen steady growth in the number of players, excellence of the programs and enthusiasm for the orchestra. In 2001, the largest ensemble ever gathered for a week to rehearse and perform what is perhaps the world's greatest masterpiece, Beethoven's Ninth, the Choral Symphony.

The orchestra's growth in numbers has been mirrored in the excellence of its playing and breadth of its repertoire, including Mozart, "Star Wars", Brahms, Copland, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Dvorák, Sibelius, and Prokofiev as well as "Terpsichore" composed by Concertmistress Maria Newman. Each year the players wait anxiously for the letter from orchestra manager Wesley Hawks describing the musical delights and challenges awaiting them the first week of August in the high Sierra.

Although the Eastern Sierra Symphony has always been based in Mammoth Lakes, it's truly a symphony for the Eastern Sierra. ESSO Concerts have brought classical music to the communities nestled along Highway 395 and been performed in such diverse venues as the Laws Railroad Museum, Bishop High School and several Bishop churches, Statham Estate and Statham Hall in Lone Pine, the park behind the Court House in Independence and Cerro Coso College in Ridgecrest.

Even in Mammoth Lakes, which does not yet have a permanent performing arts space, ESSO is an orchestra without a home. In the early years, the orchestra performed in the Mammoth High School Multi-Purpose Room. A new location slope-side behind Canyon Lodge (nee Warming Hut Two) enabled symphonies under starry skies but in finger-numbing temperatures. Then came the infamous and still freezing tent. Next, through the benevolence of Father Andrew Dachauer and his parish, the orchestra was brought indoors to the warm, windless, hospitable clime of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

The 2001 concerts though, with the 75-member orchestra and over 50 voices in the choir, proved too large for the church location, so the orchestra moved to the Old Gondola Room at Main Lodge on Mammoth Mountain, performing there in 2002 as well. In 2003, after a major renovation of the Old Gondola Room, which is now known as the Mountainside Conference Center, orchestra members eagerly looked forward to playing in the new venue. The Mountain has been very supportive of Sierra Summer Festival and generously accommodates the orchestra's needs. We look forward to continuing a strong relationship with Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.

Regardless of the lack of a true concert hall, fiscal challenges (musicians pay for the privilege of playing in this orchestra), the travel, spousal objections and competing vacation plans, a vast majority of musicians return year after year. The lure of making music with Bogidar Avramov, the chance to retreat to the glorious mountain scenery and the opportunity to renew friendships with other dedicated musicians are powerful incentives that keep players returning year after year to create music together in the Eastern Sierra.