On May 30, the World Affairs Council of Orange County hosted a pre-concert dinner for British Deputy Consul General Nicola Guffogg, Music Director Designate Alexander Shelley, and composer Peter Boyer. Co-sponsored by the Pacific Symphony and USA250-OC, the intimate evening celebrated the enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom through music and comments from Shelley, Guffogg, Boyer, OC World Affairs Council President/CEO Jayne Herring, Pacific Symphony President/CEO John Forsyte, and USA250-OC’s Jo Ellen Chatham.
Shelley will officially begin his tenure as Music Director of the Pacific Symphony in September. An internationally acclaimed British conductor, Shelley has conducted the Pacific Symphony in the past and follows the 2025 retirement of Carl StClair, whose 35-year tenure took the Pacific Symphony from a local community orchestra to being a Tier One, internationally recognized orchestra. Shelley has dedicated his first season to music with tributes to American composers and music.
Guffogg spoke about the continued alliance and friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom, including its shared cultural history. At the same time, Shelley shared his thoughts about our musical traditions and the inspiration underlying the evening’s concert titled “Alexander Shelley Conducts America 250.”
The concert program included the West Coast premiere of Peter Boyer and Joe Sohm’s “American Mosaic” and Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, performed by pianist Conrad Tao.
On July 4, the Pacific Symphony will present its inspiring annual July 4 concert on the Great Park Live stage with patriotic music and a fireworks spectacular. For information and tickets, go to https://www.pacificsymphony.org/show-details/july-4-spectacular-celebrating-america-250-and-air-supply
Pacific Symphony Music Director Designate Alexander Shelley and British Deputy Consul General Nicola Guoffogg.