The Eclectic Orange Festival is a part of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Since its inception in 1954, the Philharmonic Society, a not-for-profit organization, has been a primary catalyst for cultural growth in Orange County. From viewing concerts on gymnasium bleachers to enjoying the world's finest orchestras in the elegance of the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the culture of Orange County has been nurtured and challenged by the Philharmonic Society.
For over 50 years the Society has presented artists who set the standards for artistic achievement: Sir Georg Solti, Itzhak Perlman, Jacqueline du Pré, Daniel Barenboim, Lorin Maazel and Cecilia Bartoli, to name just a few. In addition, many of the world's greatest orchestras have performed in Orange County by invitation of the Philharmonic Society. The Society celebrates the diversity of the cultural landscape with Eclectic Orange presentations, transcending the boundaries separating arts disciplines and seeking great art wherever it is found. Eclectic Orange events champion contemporary composers through commissions and sponsorship of regional and world premieres. Among the living composers presented are Tan Dun, Philip Glass, Hal Hartley, Edgar Meyer, Burhan Öçal and Mikel Rouse. Past presentations include the West Coast Premiere of Steve Reich's "The Cave", the Southern California premiere of Terry Riley's "Sun Rings", the United States exclusive engagement of Théâtre Zingaro, and the West Coast premiere of "Orion" by Philip Glass.
Hand in hand with a commitment to artistic excellence is the commitment to music education. Sharing the love of music with others, and helping the community deepen its appreciation and enjoyment of music is a foundation stone of the Society. Over the years millions of children have encountered classical music - many for the first time - at Philharmonic Society education programs.
The Committees of the Philharmonic are the Society's principal fund-raising and volunteer force. Members of The Committees come from all walks of life. What unites them is their love of music and the wish to share it with Orange County's children. They are an energetic and dedicated group of more than 1,000 volunteers. Together they create, fund and produce an extraordinary array of music education programs for children. The Committees also present a wide variety of fund-raising events, including Entertaining by Design, House of Design and the Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights.
Source: http://www.philharmonicsociety.org
