With
Francesco Lecce-Chong
Conductor of the
Santa Rosa Symphony
Mr. Lecce-Chong's sponsor is Sharon Kuroki Beckman,
member of WACSC and Symphony Board member
The cacophony of war and conflict have become the soundtrack for too many lives. How to counter this? Stepping from behind his podium at the Green Center, Symphony Director Francesco Lecce-Chong will enlighten us on how music works to soften international hostilities through shared interests and friendship.
With PowerPoint and video assistance, Lecce-Chong will show the importance of music in international relations, past and present. He’ll share his passion for music as diplomacy, with personal experiences on how the Santa Rosa Symphony builds relationships across borders by bringing in composers and musicians from around the world, and sends our Youth Orchestra to perform abroad.
He'll also address current challenges and controversies in the orchestra industry's response to world events, and his personal hope and dream: the orchestra as a model for global cooperation.
It all adds up to one-of-a-kind presentation on music and musicians as essential models for worldwide understanding when we need it most.
Health note: We suggest that attendees be vaccinated and wear masks except while eating.
Word to the Wise: Registration will close at the end of September 22 or when restaurant capacity is reached. You will be able to be placed on a Wait List after that time.
Meal choices: Roasted Pork Loin, Apple Pear Chutney, Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables.
OR
Vegetarian option: Pasta, Zucchini, Parmesan, Fresh Basil.
Dessert: Lemon Bars.
About Francesco Lecce-Chong
For years, Francesco Lecce-Chong has had an over-riding passion -- that his music creates connections with people across languages and borders.
Born and raised in San Francisco, he holds degrees from extraordinary schools: the Mannes College of Music in New York, the Curtis College of Music in Philadelphia, and Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
Named Santa Rosa Symphony conductor in 2018, Maestro Lecce-Chong’s conducting and musicianship ignited Green Center audiences from the start. His “First Symphony Project,” commissioned four emerging composers, all of whom had their debuts under his baton last season. This past summer he was in residence at Romania’s prestigious Enescu Festival.
Lecce-Chong has been guest conductor with the San Francisco Symphony, where the Chronicle declared his work “first rate,” and underscored his “vitality and brilliance.” He has also been featured at the New York Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, among others, and was Associate Conductor of the Pittsburg Symphony.
In addition to conducting, he is a trained pianist and composer. He is married to harpist Chloe Tula, and lives in Santa Rosa.
