Celebrating 35 Extraordinary Years of Maestro Carl St.Clair with Pacific Symphony

This season, we embark on a journey unlike any other. As we celebrate the remarkable 35-year legacy of Maestro Carl St.Clair, we honor not just a conductor, but a visionary who has woven his passion, heart, and soul into the very fabric of Pacific Symphony.

He is the longest-tenured American-born music director of any major American orchestra, and his leadership has left an indelible mark on our community, our musicians, and everyone who has been touched by his artistry.

The 2024-25 season is more than a collection of concerts—it’s a tribute to St.Clair’s tireless devotion, his artistic brilliance, and the unique relationship he has nurtured between music and life here in Orange County. Opening on Thursday, September 26, our 46th season is a heartfelt celebration of this legacy, bursting with 36 concerts across 12 inspiring programs, Sunday Matinees, and special events that promise to move, inspire, and leave us breathless.

What makes this season truly special is St.Clair’s deep, personal gratitude—to the musicians who have played by his side for decades, and to every audience member who has been part of this incredible journey. This is a season that will echo with the sounds of his favorite pieces, his cherished composers, and his love for the orchestra and the community it serves.

John Forsyte, Pacific Symphony’s President and CEO for 26 years, reflects on his remarkable impact: “Carl St.Clair’s 35th Anniversary as our Music Director will be filled with unforgettable moments that capture the essence of his exceptional leadership. It is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious seasons he has envisioned—one that will ignite great excitement throughout our community. Under Carl’s guidance, the musicians of this orchestra have grown into a distinguished ensemble, and this season, with all its emotion, they will bring a renewed intensity to the music that reflects Carl’s artistic values and the extraordinary journey we’ve shared.”

Forsyte continued, “Throughout these 35 years, Carl’s dedication has been a beacon of inspiration for all of us. His commitment to the arts in Orange County is evident in every innovative program he has created, often incorporating thematic designs, cultural storytelling, choral-orchestral collaborations, and a spotlight on American composers. This season is a culmination of countless highlights, a rich tapestry of Carl’s vision that we all look forward to experiencing together.”

Maestro St.Clair himself views this milestone with deep pride and gratitude: “The 2024-25 season is not just a celebration of music, but of the bond that has developed between myself, Pacific Symphony, and our audience over 35 unforgettable years. This season is an homage to that shared journey, reflecting on our past, rejoicing in our present, and dreaming of the future. The musicians of Pacific Symphony are not just performers; they are the very heartbeat of this institution. This season is a profound expression of our gratitude—to them, to our loyal audience, and to all who have supported our mission of artistic excellence. It is my honor to continue serving as your Music Director, and I eagerly anticipate celebrating the extraordinary moments that lie ahead.”

So, what unforgettable experiences await you this season?

• Beloved Repertoire: Revel in the cherished works that Carl St.Clair has championed throughout his tenure, including Beethoven’s exuberant Symphony No. 7, Berlioz’s thrilling Symphonie Fantastique at Halloween, Brahms’s lyrical Violin Concerto, Respighi’s majestic Pines of Rome, and Strauss’s awe-inspiring Alpine Symphony.
• Choral Masterworks: Feel the driving power of Orff’s Carmina Burana and deeply spiritual Verdi’s Requiem, performed in collaboration with Pacific Chorale, and prepare to be moved to your core.
• Star-Studded Collaboration: St.Clair welcomes his dear friend, violinist Joshua Bell, and soprano Larisa Martínez, for a night of magical music that spans from opera to Broadway, and beyond.
• World Premieres: Discover new works from some of America’s leading composers, including a piano concerto by Adolphus Hailstork and an orchestral piece by Viet Cuong.
• Opera-In-Concert: Experience Wagner’s Das Rheingold in Pacific Symphony’s first-ever presentation from the Ring Cycle, a monumental event not to be missed.
• Themed Evenings: Journey through evenings filled with wonder, from the haunting beauty of a Halloween concert to the grandeur of “Cathedrals in Sound.”

This season is more than a celebration; it is a testament to the profound impact Carl St.Clair has had on Pacific Symphony, our musicians, and our community. It’s a season that invites us all to remember, to celebrate, and to dream. Join us for a year of extraordinary music and unforgettable memories as we honor the man whose passion has ignited our hearts for 35 incredible years.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you. Read more about the coming season here.