Oakland Civic Orchestra Performs First Concert at New Home

Oakland Civic Orchestra, an all volunteer group led by Music Director Martha Stoddard, performed their first concert at First Church, in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday. The free concert featured the world premiere of Burlesk for Two Solo Violoncelli and Orchestra by the orchestra’s Composer in Residence, Nikolaus Umar Durr, with guest cellists Eamon Riley and Milo Klise, of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The program also featured the powerful Chamber Symphony Opus 110 by Dmitri Shostakovich, Edward Elgar’s beloved Serenade for Strings and the Welsh Hymn Tune Rhosymedre, a tender tribute to youth and family, set for string orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The Oakland Civic Orchestra rehearses weekly at First Church, and offers seasonal free concerts, with a mission to feature the work of local composers and musicians. The next concert is scheduled for April 10 at 4 pm.