Evening Events
Thursday, August 6 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Overture Party
Hosted and Sponsored by the Santa Rosa Symphony
Included with conference registration.
Following the opening plenary, join us for the Overture Party at the Charles M. Schulz Museum, hosted by the Santa Rosa Symphony. Enjoy an evening of drinks, appetizers, and lively conversation with colleagues in this one-of-a-kind setting celebrating the art and legacy of Charles M. Schulz, American cartoonist and creator of the Peanuts comics. Take in the museum’s galleries, iconic Peanuts artwork, and charming atmosphere while reconnecting and kicking off the conference in style. ACSO will provide round-trip transportation—just bring your badge and enjoy the evening!
Friday, August 7 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
President's Reception
Invite-Only
The President’s Reception is an opportunity for ACSO to thank our Individual Donors and Conference Sponsors at a gathering that includes drinks and light appetizers. Have a drink on us, network with one another, and know how much ACSO appreciates your support! This reception is open by invitation to our Conference Sponsors and our Donors who have given $150 or more to ACSO in the past year. Add a donation to your conference registration form, or onsite at conference to secure your invitation!
Friday, August 7 | 7:30 PM
Santa Rosa Symphony Concert: Road to Appalachia featuring Mark & Maggie O’Connor
Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor
Mark O’Connor, violin
Maggie O’Connor, violin
GABRIELA LENA FRANK: Elegia Andina
AARON COPLAND: Appalachian Spring
GABRIELA LENA FRANK: Escaramuza
MARK O'CONNOR: Song of the Liberty Bell for Violin and String Orchestra; Strings & Threads Suite for Violin and String Orchestra
Violinists Mark O'Connor and Maggie O'Connor return to Santa Rosa with music that bridges concert hall tradition and the roots of American sound. Their works Song of the Liberty Bell and Strings & Threads Suite blend classical form with folk melodies and virtuosic fiddling, creating a vibrant, living expression of American music.
At the heart of the program is Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a landmark of the American repertoire. Premiered in 1944 for Martha Graham, the score captures a sense of optimism and renewal, culminating in the beloved Shaker tune “Simple Gifts.”
Woven throughout the concert are two striking works by Gabriela Lena Frank Elegía Andina and Escaramuza—which draw on Latin American influences to expand and enrich the idea of what “American” music can be.
From Appalachian landscapes to Andean echoes, this program traces a musical journey shaped by tradition, migration, and reinvention—an evolving portrait of a nation in sound.
Tickets:
• $68
Optional Boxed Dinner:
• $48
Includes round-trip transportation between the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country and the Green Music Center.
Tickets can be purchased with your conference registration.