Crowden 40th Anniversary Concert

Crowden's 40th Anniversary Concert will be an unforgettable showcase of Crowden alumni, mentors, and friends, celebrating four decades of the Bay Area cultural gem, which is renowned for its innovative and transformational programming for young people, including the Crowden School and the John Adams Young Composers Program. 

Featuring the world premiere of Arches, a 40th anniversary commission by rising star composer Samuel Adams (’00) performed by globally acclaimed concert artist and pedagogue Nora Chastain and Pittsburgh Symphony Concertmaster David McCarroll (’99)!

Featured artists include stunning violinist Karla Donehew Perez (’99) and her Grammy-nominated Catalyst Quartet, Menuhin Competition winner Kenneth Renshaw (’08), Abby Rojansky (’03) of the prestigious Verona Quartet, local favorite Friction Quartet, virtuoso pianist Audrey Vardanega (’09), acclaimed violinist Ariana Kim, Alexander String Quartet members Sandy Wilson and David Samuel, Crowden conductors Jory Fankuchen ('91), La Nell Martin, Benjamin Simon, and Eugene Sor, and many more. Crowden composers with works on the program include Adams, fellow rising star Gabriella Smith (’05, John Adams Young Composers Program), and current 16-year-old student Nicole Targosz (John Adams Young Composers Program), as well as Crowden's greatest benefactor, composer Gordon Getty.

Crowden is thrilled to honor Gordon Getty and the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation as its 40th Anniversary Concert Honorees, and John Adams and Bonnie Hampton as Honorary Co-Chairs. 

Audience members are invited to a free post-concert reception. Premium ticket holders are invited to a private reception with the artists at the UC Berkeley Faculty Club following the concert.