Our Mission

The mission of Orchestra Nova San Diego is to enrich community life by presenting affordable, compelling music programming and artistry of the highest caliber at accessible venues throughout San Diego, and to provide outreach programs emphasizing life-long exploration of classical music for a diverse population.

Our Story

27 Years of Success and Community Involvement

An Evolution: San Diego Chamber Orchestra to Orchestra Nova

Under the dynamic leadership of artistic director Jung-Ho Pak, our orchestra is on the move to reach thousands of San Diegans with a new persona. The San Diego Chamber Orchestra had a marvelous legacy of which we are very proud. Our name change to Orchestra Nova (changed for the 2009-2010 season) is an evolution that is more reflective of our fresh and open approach to making classical music meaningful to every single adult and child in San Diego County. We’re on an exciting mission to provide a dramatic classical music experience that is extraordinary in every way for our guests.

There is a palpable "buzz" about the orchestra throughout the San Diego area that is felt by concertgoers, the musicians and the media. This has resulted in sold-out concerts in its multiple venues, standing ovations, exciting word-of-mouth-conversations, a significantly increased presence in major media outlets and a major increase in the number of young professionals attending the concerts.

The orchestra's incredibly talented musicians (35+), conducted by Maestro Pak, perform five Nova Classics concerts from fall through spring. These concerts have been received with an exceptionally high level of enthusiasm as a result of innovative and creative programming coupled with stellar performances by the musicians. We perform in three venues: St. Paul's Cathedral, downtown; the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego's Sherwood Auditorium in La Jolla; and, and the state-of-the art Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall in Sorrento Valley.

The Orchestra has had a long-time tradition of performing Handel's Messiah in December, but it created a sensation in San Diego in 2006, and every year since, by performing the only authentic 18th century re-creation of Messiah by a professional chorus (Bach Collegium San Diego) and orchestra in the area.

Our Pops! concerts (performed by 50+ musicians at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido) has become popular throughout the area. Three performances are scheduled for the 2010-2011 season.

It's an exciting time for the Orchestra...creative programming, innovative uses of technology, high-quality beautiful music, old-fashioned warmth and enthusiasm, some very exciting one-of-a-kind education programs, and a real community feel that brings the musicians and guests together for an extraordinary experience.

Learn about our history