The Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) was an American orchestra based in Oakland, California. OEBS was the successor orchestra to the Oakland Symphony, following the bankruptcy of the Oakland Symphony[1] and dissolution of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra Association in 1986. OEBS reverted to the past name of the Oakland Symphony in 2015. Michael Morgan served as music director and conductor of OEBS, from 1990 until the reversion of OEBS to the Oakland Symphony in 2015.[2] OEBS performed in the Paramount Theatre.
History
OEBS was founded in July 1988, when musicians from the former Oakland Symphony and the Oakland Symphony League joined together to form a new orchestra. OEBS focused its work on music education for young people, bringing orchestral music into schools throughout Oakland and the East Bay. OEBS regularly gave concerts at the Paramount Theatre, in addition to concerts at churches and senior centres, and at other community sites.[3] Presenting both classic and new works, OEBS worked to bring together the talents and resources of diverse arts groups from the community. OEBS also collaborated with local ballet, opera, choral and theatrical groups and performs at community events. Various programmes included "A Tribute to Gordon Parks", in June 2001, in collaboration with the Oakland Museum of California.
In 2015, OEBS reverted to the name of its precursor orchestra, the Oakland Symphony. Morgan continued as music director of the renamed orchestra from 2015 until his death in August 2021.[4]
Music directors
- Michael Morgan (1990–2015)
Awards and recognition
| Year | Category | Organization | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Adventurous Programming Awards[5] | The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) | First Place | Programming of Contemporary Music |
| 2007 | Excellence in Community Engagement[6] | American Symphony Orchestra League | Winner | outstanding work by orchestras that can serve as models for other orchestras |
Selective discography
| Year | Title | Genre | Conductor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Live at the Paramount Theatre! New Works for a New Century | Classical | Michael Morgan |