Community, culture at Symphony’s Day of Music!

The Day of Music was held today at the San Diego Symphony’s newly renovated Jacobs Music Center. Artists and musicians from communities in San Diego and Tijuana gathered for the free cultural event!

Out in the Box Office Lobby, live performances would take place throughout the day. I listened for a minute or two, but I was anxious to see the inside of greatly redesigned Copley Symphony Hall–now called Jacobs Music Center. (I frequently walk past Symphony Towers, and have observed construction workers coming and going for years it seems now!)

After craning my head this way and that to take in the renovated stage, seating and other features of the historic venue, I settled down to enjoy a very fine hour-long performance by the 1st Marine Division Band out of Camp Pendleton. San Diego Symphony President and Chief Executive Officer Martha Gilmer, in her introduction, stated that the group is one of the finest military bands in the United States.

The 1st Marine Division Band played a variety of symphonic pieces, including Let Freedom Ring by Ryan Nowlin, Colonial Song by Percy Grainger, and an amazing, very energetic Slava! by Leonard Bernstein.

San Diego Symphony Music Director Rafael Payare came on stage to conduct a simply exquisite Concertino for Flute by Cecile Chaminade, with Ana Paola Rincones masterful on flute.

Of course, there had to be Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa. A rousing performance received a standing ovation!

According to the program, many performing groups would follow, including the San Diego Children’s Choir and the Voices of Our City Choir.

As you can see from my photographs, the interior of the Jacobs Music Center is more magical than ever. The completed renovation also included measures taken to greatly improve the listening experience–the very softest of notes can be discerned with crystal clarity.

On the sidewalk outside Symphony Towers, performers from Animal Cracker Conspiracy welcome arriving guests.

The Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra creates beautiful music inside the Box Office Lobby.

A smile greets me at the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra table!

The Coronado School of the Arts has a theatrical performance of The Addams Family coming up! I learned Lurch is one of the characters!

Joey’s Wings performs, in an effort to fight childhood cancer. (See my previous blog post.)

Actors from Project [BLANK] perform in one corner of the San Diego Symphony concessions area. You provide the subject matter and they act it out!

Here I am walking into the breathtaking Jacobs Music Center.

Gazing to one side. Long ago, the San Diego Symphony’s home was a luxurious FOX Theatre movie palace. The skyscraper Symphony Towers was built above and around it!

The 1st Marine Division Band takes the stage.

All stand for the Star Spangled Banner.

An outstanding musical performance by our local Marines.

Looking up toward the balcony seating when the performance ends. The Jacobs Music Center is like a splendid palace.

I’m now on the upper level looking down between performances. The general lighting has turned from blue to purple.

Another look toward the ceiling. Wow.

Our Youth, the next segment of the day’s program, is about to begin. It’s a free community Day of Music inside the spectacular Jacobs Music Center!

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

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Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

2 thoughts on “Community, culture at Symphony’s Day of Music!”

  1. Richard, I just want to say thanks for sharing these photos. I actually went to the Day of Music today because I saw your email post yesterday and I was able to take my family and it was pretty epic so keep up the great work.

    I love what you’re doing. Started following you earlier this year and am a huge fan. East Village neighbor here.

    Irving

    Liked by 1 person

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