The Fresno Philharmonic is undeniably one of the Central Valley’s premier cultural institutions. Established in 1954 by a group of community music enthusiasts, the organization now boasts a roster of 73 tenured union musicians, all members of the American Federation of Musicians, ranging in age from 30s to 70s. Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Rei Hotoda, the Fresno Philharmonic has entered a new era, engaging top international guest artists to perform in Fresno with the orchestra. The result is a program that rivals those found in major metropolises without the big city price tag. “We hope that our educational efforts in Link Up and free student tickets inspire the next generation of Fresno-based professional musicians!” exclaims Ellen Armour, Development & Marketing Director at the Fresno Philharmonic.
Behind the international outreach, the organization has a professional staff of full- and part-time employees, all locals. “About half of the musicians are Fresno residents,” Ellen adds, “with the balance being part of what we lovingly call the ‘Freeway Philharmonic’: musicians who live regionally in California and travel to perform with many different orchestras.” This means that Central Valley natives get a taste of San Francisco and Los Angeles brought to them. “The great thing about this is that in addition to the wonderful talent here in Fresno, we have musicians performing with us who regularly perform with groups like the LA Phil and the SF Symphony. Yet another reason why Fresno’s central location is key!”
In a typical concert season, approximately 10,000 people attend the Fresno Phil’s live public concerts, yet thousands more hear them for free through Valley Public Radio (KVPR) broadcasts. Additionally, over 7,000 elementary students—including all of Fresno Unified School District’s fourth graders—attend the free Link Up education concerts, held on three school days in May. “The Link Up program is offered in partnership with Carnegie Hall and reaches 66 Fresno elementary schools. We’re especially proud of Link Up because it provides access to many students who have never stepped foot in a concert hall. Their eyes go wide, their energy is high, and you can tell that it’s an experience they will carry with them for life,” Ellen relishes. “We also offer free student tickets to our Saturday Masterworks concerts when requested by a teacher or school administrator. It’s a popular program that has opened the door to students at all grade levels!”
For the 2024-2025 season, the Fresno Philharmonic will offer six concerts from September through April: five Masterworks concerts (think classical) and one holiday concert. Each Masterworks concert has two performances: Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sundays at 3:00PM. This year’s holiday concert will take place on the first Friday in December. “We love that our season provides so many opportunities to hear great music,” Ellen says. “Saturdays are great for date nights and parents who want something fun to do with tweens and teens (that pulls them away from screens!). Sundays are a great post-brunch outing. Our Home for the Holidays concert has everything from hot cocoa and Santa to a fully decked-out tree in the lobby that has become a favorite selfie spot. There really is something for everyone.”
In addition to the Fresno Phil’s local school partnership, they also partner regularly with other institutions—including the Fresno Art Museum, Arte Americas, Steinway Piano Gallery, and Fresno Pacific University’s Warkentine Center for the Arts—for everything from event planning and instrument sharing to arts advocacy and placemaking. “On a larger scale, the Fresno Philharmonic is active in statewide organizations such as the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO), for which Stephen (our CEO) was a prior board member, and I serve as a current board member. We are also a member of the League of American Orchestras, connecting us with peer orchestras throughout the United States,” Ellen reveals. The Daniel R. Martin Masterworks Series is performed at the Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall in Northeast Fresno—where the acoustics are superb and free parking is plentiful—and the annual holiday concert is held at the Saroyan Theatre in the heart of Downtown Fresno.
The Fresno Philharmonic is made up of a small but mighty team: five full-time, two part-time staff members, and a deeply dedicated board comprising 17 community leaders. “Through the natural course of board service rotations, we’ve added six new board members in the last year with varied backgrounds, all of whom are committed to the arts here in Fresno,” beams Ellen. “We’re proud to work alongside other creatives in our area who are an invaluable part of bringing our mission to life.” Yet Rei truly is the heartbeat of the Fresno Philharmonic. “She uses her platform to uplift women and BIPOC composers and their respective works, all while guest conducting all over the United States and representing the Fresno Philharmonic in industry settings such as the ACSO and the League of American Orchestras. She is truly remarkable.”
In addition to being their esteemed music director, Rei is a phenomenal advocate for the arts and champions historically marginalized voices. Ensuring that the diverse and compelling voices within the classical music field have equal opportunities to be heard and celebrated is an integral part of both Rei’s and Fresno Phil’s goals. “We offer two performances of each program, and every single program includes the work of a living composer or a composer of our generation. Every single one!” professes Ellen. “Even within the classical music world in which we operate, this is unique, and we are very proud to be pioneering this right here in the Central Valley. Think classic cuisine with a modern twist, and you’ll have a taste of what it’s like to hear new classical music—surprising and delightful.”
Contrary to popular belief, what this musical organization offers can be appreciated regardless of upbringing or circumstances. “One misconception about the Fresno Philharmonic (or classical music in general) that we hear a lot is that we’re only for people who know or ‘understand’ classical music,” Ellen admits. “We believe in #MusicForAll, regardless of your background or knowledge of classical music. We have many ways for folks to immerse themselves in the context of what we’re performing.” This includes Inside the Music via Zoom on Fridays before the concert, where Professor Benjamin Boone of Fresno State’s Music Department dives deep into that weekend’s program. Stay Tuned after Sunday’s Masterworks concerts is a live Q&A between Rei and the guest artist, where attendees can ask questions. Both programs are free to ticket holders.
Regardless of musical knowledge, the Fresno Philharmonic’s performances stand well on their own and can be enjoyed by anyone curious or wanting to hear something a little different, with or without context. “That’s what makes music special: it connects us beyond language, beyond barriers, and speaks directly to each of us. It’s up to you to decide what it means to you,” believes Ellen. The Fresno Phil’s 73 orchestra members are all professional musicians who have dedicated themselves to their technical prowess and artistic expression and, in turn, share it with the world. “As a result, the quality of our concerts is consistently exceptional and a joy to hear. We use this high skill level to really explore the musical realm and present music that you may not hear anywhere else,” Ellen says. “In June, we performed Barber’s Piano Concerto, played by the phenomenal Joyce Yang. Somewhat comically, the piece was deemed ‘unplayable’ by the composer himself, and yet play it we did, and with style. Rei is courageous in her programming and gifted at building relationships with today’s best and brightest guest artists. Couple this with a highly skilled orchestra and what we have here at Fresno Phil is truly very special.”
Three years ago, the Fresno Philharmonic hosted what is now a most beloved annual event. “Our annual Farm to Fiddle dinner party fundraiser returns to the Barn at the River Parkway on March 27th, 2025,” Ellen speaks of next year’s affair. “This event has become a guest favorite, as it brings together two of the Central Valley’s signature creations: food and music. We have some delightful new elements in store for our fourth annual event, which benefits the music and educational programs of the Fresno Philharmonic. The evening begins with local wine and craft beer, a special performance by Rei Hotoda and the Fresno Philharmonic, and leads into a gorgeous, seated farm-style dinner with local specialties.”
This year marks a very special anniversary for the Fresno Philharmonic. “We are excited to enter our 70th season and have invited music and artists that reflect the diversity of the Central Valley,” shares Ellen. “Our season kicks off with pianist Sergei Babayan and the work of Armenian composer Khachaturian, giving a respectful nod to the Armenian roots of the Philharmonic. Our November concert pays homage to all things orchestra, featuring Concertmaster Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio alongside other members of the orchestra. Home for the Holidays carries us through the end of the year, and we return in January with the joyous voice of soprano Karen Slack and Voices Shouting Out by Nkeiru Okoye, both of whom are African-American.”
February’s concert is particularly special. Ellen is ecstatic about “the world premiere of a new work by two Japanese-American, California-based women composers, inspired by the writings of local organic peach farmer and author Mas Masumoto. The commission is part of a larger project under the banner of Cultural Crossroads: Kisetsu (which means ‘seasons’ in Japanese) and is special in many ways, not least because it premieres just before the Day of Remembrance of Executive Order 9066. Our season closes by highlighting our Southeast Asian community with a Tabla Concerto played by Sandeep Das.”
Fresno Philharmonic has presented exceptional live music experiences since 1954, but now they are truly embracing their identity as a Fresno-centric arts organization. This means expanding access and representation within their concerts. Several exciting commissions of new works are in development, which will continue to forge stronger connections. “Above all, the Fresno Philharmonic serves our community by providing incomparable musical experiences for all,” Ellen explains. “We aim to continue this as long as possible and maintain our relevance as a megaphone for meaningful cultural exploration and artistic expression. More broadly, we want to see the arts thrive in the Central Valley—boldly and unapologetically. If science and commerce are the ‘how’ of our existence, the arts are most certainly the ‘why.’ We ignite, we inspire, we heal, and we belong.”
Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographer Kendyl Day Photography
