About the Orchestra
Bringing Great Music Close to Home
Our Mission, Vision, and Values
The San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra exists to engage community audiences and enrich people’s lives by sharing in the discovery, creation, exploration, and enjoyment of great music.
For over 40 years, the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra has presented the finest performances of symphonic music to the communities of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. The Orchestra strives to fulfill the mission of the Orchestra: "Bringing Great Music Close To Home". Our primary focus is to present full-scale live orchestral performances in easily accessible local venues. Our annual subscription series is the anchor of these concerts, augmented by our summer Pops concert and occasional chamber orchestra concerts.
It is the region's leading symphony orchestra and one of its premiere performing arts organizations. Led by founding Music Director and Conductor James Domine, the orchestra is a showcase for some of the finest musicians and composers in Southern California. Since the 2022-2023 season, the Orchestra performs at the El Portal Theater on Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood.
The San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra maintains a strong season ticket subscription base and its concerts are frequently sold out. It is a recipient of grants from the County of Los Angeles Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Los Angeles, the Rotary Club, and various other corporate foundations. It also receives support from individual subscribers and concert patrons.
The SFVSO's dedicated members frequently collaborate with community service organizations and local businesses to produce community outreach programs designed for diverse audiences of all ages.
The San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra is a member of the League of American Orchestras and the Association of California Symphony Orchestras.
Orchestra History
Our Foundation
The SFVSO is a member or the League of American Orchestras and the Association of California Symphony Orchestras.
1940s - 1960s
The orchestra was founded in the mid 1940s in a much different San Fernando Valley landscape than is now known. James Swift, founder of the future Los Angeles Solo Repertory Orchestra, was one of the directors.
1960s - 1980s
During the 1960s, the then Board of Directors wanted to make a community orchestra more professionally grounded. Enter Elmer Bernstein as conductor. He set the orchestra on a new path, bringing in a wealth of compositions and concerts to the Orchestra's typical season calendar. Many of his scores are still in the Orchestra's library today!
He moved on, however, and the orchestra endured through a period of instability until Lois Johnson became conductor in the late 1980s. The Orchestra then went dormant for some time.
1990s - Present
In 1992, current Music Director and Maestro, James Elza Domine, picked up the mantle of the Orchestra. Hosted for many years at Pierce College, students and professionals alike mingled and performed together.
Today, the next generation of musicians sit amongst studio recording artists, teachers, and virtuosos, playing major works from Shostakovich to Mozart to Respighi -- even some of Elmer Bernstein's music.
The San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra is a part of the musical legacy that crosses the Valley both to the East and to the West, bringing the community together, having played in venues as far as Pasadena and Thousand Oaks, respectively.
The SFVSO is a member or the League of American Orchestras and the Association of California Symphony Orchestras and the current home of the Orchestra is the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, California.
Previous venues include:
-Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA
-Janet & Ray Scherr Forum Theater, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA
-Calabasas Performing Arts Center, Calabasas, CA
-Founders' Hall, Calabasas City Hall, Calabasas, CA
-Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, Calabasas, CA
-Agoura Performing Arts Education Center, Agoura Hills, CA
-Tutor Performing Arts Center at Chaminade College Preparatory High School, West Hills, CA
-Pierce College Recital Hall, Pierce College, Woodland Hills, CA
-Platt Branch Library, Woodland Hills, CA
-Canoga Park Presbyterian Church, Canoga Park, CA
-Elks Lodge Auditorium, Canoga Park, CA
-Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Canoga Park, CA
-River of the Valley Church, Canoga Park, CA
-Warner Center Park, Woodland Hills, CA
-IAC Shepherd Community Center, Woodland Hills, CA
-West Valley Branch Library (LAPL), Reseda, CA
-El Segundo Public Library Auditorium, El Segundo, CA
-Allendale Branch Library, Pasadena, CA
-Pasadena Central Library, Pasadena, CA
The 2024-2025 Concert Season included an expansion - an inaugural performance of the Calabasas Chamber Orchestra. This Orchestra was organized by the SFVSO to include more opportunities to bring more Baroque and rarely heard Classical pieces to the audience.
Thank you to everyone from "The Bubble" to the "City of Roses" in your support of the Orchestra over the years. We hope to see you this season!
Check the Our Music tab to listen to selected recordings and be sure to sign up for the newsletter for up-to-date announcements.