Annual Membership Meeting and Party
Food, Drinks, and Live Music
Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Carson City Symphony Association's annual membership meeting and end-of-the-fiscal-year party will be on Wednesday, July 22, at 6:00 p.m., at the Lake Glen Clubhouse, Lake Glen Drive, Carson City. Admission is free.

CC Symphony Association members, musicians (instrumental and vocal), volunteers, and friends are invited. We'll have a brief review of the past year, a preview of the coming season, and election of members to the nine-member Board of Trustees. Entertainment is by Naomi Adams, cello, and Wendy Whyman, keyboard.

The event includes a pot-luck dinner. Main dish and beverages are provided. You may bring an appetizer, side dish, salad, or dessert to share.

Let us know if you are coming, and how many guests: email carsoncitysymphony@gmail.com.

Carson City Symphony Benefit House Recital
An Afternoon of Chamber Music, Conversation, and Refreshments
Sunday, July 26, 2026

The Carson City Symphony Association presents a summer house recital, an afternoon of chamber music, conversation, wine, and hors d'oeuvres on Sunday afternoon, July 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at a private home, 2662 Danielle Drive in Carson City.

The recital will entertain music lovers in our area with a varied program of musical treats by Sterling Forrester, W.A. Mozart, John Dowland, Ernest Chausson, and John Rutter. Performers are Matt Means and Kat MacMartin on violin; Brian Fox on viola; Sally Browne on cello; Evan Stern on cello, bass, and lute; Allison Smith on flute; and Julie Holloman, on piano.

Brian Fox leader and coordinator of the house recital, is Assistant Conductor and Concertmaster of the Carson City Symphony and Director of Orchestras for the Carson City School District. He also performs with TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony, the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, and in chamber music groups, and holds a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature. Dr. Fox enjoys presenting annual recitals and benefit concerts in northern Nevada.

The July 26 recital is a benefit for Carson City Symphony's music performances and educational programs. Tickets are $40 and are available online at CCSymphony.com. Space is limited.

The concert will also be performed on Friday, July 24, 2026, 7:00 p.m. at Aria School of Music and Art in Reno as a benefit for Aria School of Music and Art.

Photo: Dr Brian Fox, coordinator and violist for the Summer House Recital on July 26.

Carson City Symphony's "Carson Summer Music Camp"
To Begin Monday, August 3, 2026

Media Release - July 5, 2025: Carson City Symphony Association's "Carson Summer Music Camp 2026" is a week-long program for string-instrument players and singers of all ages and levels. Two sessions meet each morning, Monday, August 3, through Friday, August 7, at St. Paul's Lutheran Family, 1201 N. Saliman Road in Carson City. Performance opportunities are on Wednesday at noon at the Lodge, and a "Play and Sing Along" on Friday, 5 p.m., at Carson Mall. Registration and tuition are free, donations welcome.

The early session meets from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. The second session meets 10:30 a.m. to noon. Both are for all ages and people may take one or all. For more information, contact Suzanne McGarraugh suzannemcgarraugh@gmail.com or 661-478-8615.

Registration form is on the website CCSymphony.com. Click HERE to register [disabled - no longer active link].

Carson City Symphony Association's educational programs are funded, in part, by grants from the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and by private donations.

Image: Carson Summer Music Camp Calendar

Carson Chamber Singers to Begin 42nd Season
with Kickoff Rehearsal and Potluck
Saturday, August 8, 2026

Calling singers! The Carson Chamber Singers, a performing group of the Carson City Symphony Association, begins their 42nd season with a kickoff rehearsal and potluck on Saturday, August 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m. at the LDS Church, 411 N. Saliman Road in Carson City. Weekly rehearsals will be on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning August 11, at the same location.

Carson Chamber Singers is open to singers high-school age and above. To join, contact Director Jordan Gotchy at ccsingersnv@gmail.com or use the registration link on CCSymphony.com. (Click HERE for registration form.)

The first concert of the season will be on Friday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 200 N. Division Street in Carson City. The program includes music by Sarah Quartel, Don Macdonald, Reginal Wright, Jordan Gotchy, and others.

Founded in 1985 as an affiliate of the Carson City Symphony Association, the Carson Chamber Singers have performed at several venues in northern Nevada and in California. They have sung with the Reno Philharmonic and perform regularly with the Carson City Symphony.

For more information about Carson Chamber Singers, registration, and rehearsal schedule, contact the Director at ccsingersnv@gmail.com. Participation is free; singers are encouraged to join the Carson City Symphony Association.

Carson Chamber Singers is supported in part by public funds through a grant from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, and by private donations.

Photo: Carson Chamber Singers, shown in concert last October, will begin rehearsals in August.

Carson City Symphony to Begin Rehearsals
Wed., Sept. 2, 2026
for Opening Concert of 43rd Season

Attention musicians! The Carson City Symphony, conducted by David Bugli, will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, from 6:20 to 8:30 p.m., at the Carson High School band/orchestra room, 1111 N. Saliman Road in Carson City.

The Forty-Third Season Opening Concert is on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center. The concert includes music by Chaminade, Rutter, and other composers, and features guest flutist Ellen Burr, presenting her second concert with the Symphony.

The Symphony is a volunteer orchestra of about 55 players who perform music from the 15th to the 21st centuries. It is open to string players at any time without audition, and to other instrumentalists when positions are available. Current openings are for strings, bassoon, and oboe. Musicians who are interested in joining should contact the Symphony at 775-883-4154 or email carsoncitysymphony@gmail.com.

SYMPHONY MUSICIANS: Please click HERE to register for the October concert.

Lobby entertainment for the concert begins at 3:00 p.m. For more information, see the Symphony web site: CCSymphony.com.

Photo: Carson City Symphony to begin rehearsals for October concert on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Symphony Youth Strings and Symphony Youth Chorus
After-School Ensembles 2026-2027
Registration Information

Announcement - August 28, 2026: The Carson City Symphony Association's after-school string and choral instruction provides free beginning violin and cello lessons for students in grades 2-5 and ensemble/orchestra experience for strings students in all grades in the Carson City School District and surrounding areas. Tuition and books are subsidized by the Carson City Symphony Association.

• Enrollment is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Some scholarships are available for instruments.
• Please do not rent or purchase an instrument until after the first class.
• To register, see below.

Violin instruction - Grades 2-5 - Two options:

• Tuesdays, after school 1:45-2:45 p.m. Begins September 15, 2026, at Empire Elementary School, 1260 Monte Rosa Drive.
• Wednesdays, after school until 3:15-4:15 p.m. Begins September 16, 2026, at Bordewich Bray Elementary School, 110 Thompson Street. (Please use entrance on King Street.)

Symphony Youth Chorus - Ages 4 and up - Tuesdays, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Begins September 15, 2026, at Empire Elementary School, 1260 Monte Rosa Drive.

Cello instruction - Grades 2-5. Wednesdays, 4:15-5:15 p.m. Begins September 16, 2026, at Bordewich Bray Elementary School, 110 Thompson Street. (Please use entrance on King Street.)

Symphony Youth Strings After-School Ensembles for 2026-2027, for students with previous experience on violin, viola, cello, or bass. The program is presented on Thursdays, beginning September 17, 2026, at St. Paul's Lutheran Family Church, 1201 N. Saliman Road. Activities include:

• Allegro (Beginning ensemble, 3:30-4:30 p.m.) and
• STRAZZ (Chamber orchestra for advanced students, 4:30-5:30 p.m.).

To register for any of the above programs, click on the registration link HERE, or contact the Symphony Education Director Suzanne McGarraugh at suzannemcgarraugh@gmail.com.

NOTE: Concerts will be December 10, 2026, and April 22, 2027, at the Carson City Community Center.

Carson City Symphony Association's Educational Programs are funded, in part, by grants from the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and by Carson City Symphony Association memberships and private donations.

NQR String Ensemble performs at Kahle Community Center
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026

The NQR String Ensemble will perform for a music-and-lunch event at the Kahle Community Center, 236 Kingsbury Grade Road, Stateline, NV, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at noon. The event is sponsored by the Douglas County Community Services Parks & Recreation Dept., which reminds us, "Music brings us together." This event is a chance to enjoy lunch with live string music.

The event is open to all congregate lunch participants and community members. All are welcome.

Carson Chamber Singers to Present "Land and Sea"
Friday, October 2, 2026

The Carson Chamber Singers, directed by Jordan Gotchy, kicks off its 42nd season with a concert on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 200 North Division St., Carson City, NV.

The concert, "Land and Sea," celebrates the earth. It features music from the 16th century to today, including works by Palestrina, Sarah Quartel, Don Macdonald, Reginal Wright, Jordan Gotchy, and others.

Admission is free, requested donation is $10 at the door. The audience is invited to meet the singers and enjoy refreshments at a free reception in the Wesley Room following the concert.

Founded in 1985 as a performing group of the Carson City Symphony Association, the Carson Chamber Singers is open to singers high-school age and above. They perform in five or more concerts each year. They have sung with the Reno Philharmonic and sing regularly with the Carson City Symphony. They have performed at several venues in northern Nevada and as far west as Sacramento.

Carson City Symphony Association concerts are supported in part by public funds through grants from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, from Carson City, and by organization memberships and private donations.

Photo: Carson Chamber Singers, directed by Jordan Gotchy, in concert last year.

Flutist Ellen Burr to Present House Recital
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

The Carson City Symphony Association presents an evening of music, conversation, wine, and dessert on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at a private home, 2662 Danielle Drive in Carson City. Tickets are $35, available at CCSymphony.com.

Guest artist, flutist Ellen Burr, said, "If you're in the Carson City area, please join me and Carson City Symphony Association for an intimate evening of music! Seven brilliant composers will be featured in this up-close solo flute recital with special guests Wendy Whyman on piano and Naomi Adams on cello. Come share a special evening of music together." Settle in and enjoy music by Debussy, Honegger, Telemann, Varèse, Hindemith, Piazzolla, and Ian Clarke in a warm, welcoming setting.

Ellen Burr is a masterful flutist who explores new directions in music. Her enthusiasm, coupled with over fifty years of experience and a multi-faceted career, has won her worldwide acclaim in performance, teaching, improvisation, and composition. While in Carson City, she will lead clinics and a masterclass for Carson High School band students, sponsored in part by Yamaha and Absolute Music. She also will be featured in concert with Carson City Symphony on Sunday, October 25, at 4:00 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center.

Carson City Symphony's 2026-27 concert season is supported with public funding through the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, Carson City, and by private donations. For more information and tickets to both events, see the website CCSymphony.com.

Photo: Ellen Burr will present a solo flute recital on Friday, Oct. 23.

Symphony to Present "Dances and Meditations" Concert
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026

The Carson City Symphony will present its opening concert for the 43rd Season. The concert is called "Dances and Meditations," and will be on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 4:00 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center. The guest soloist is flutist Ellen Burr who will be featured performing Cecile Chaminade's "Concertino for Flute and Orchestra." The orchestra will present a flute choir in the second half of the program, composed mostly from current and former musicians from the Symphony, performing music by Michael Kibbe and John W.N. Palmer.

The concert will also feature music by Rossini, Scott Joplin, John Barry, John Rutter, and Reinhold Gliere.

Carson City Symphony Association concerts are supported in part by public funds through grants from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, from Carson City, and by organization memberships and private donations.

Photo: Flutist Ellen Burr will be featured on Oct. 25 concert.