About the Culver City Symphony Orchestra

The orchestra was founded by George Berres, which started as a 20 member string orchestra in 1963, in the Los Angeles suburb of Westchester. Through the dedication of the musicians, the board of directors and officers, elected officials, community leaders, and volunteers, it is now a full symphony orchestra presenting master works of the past and contemporary pieces; exciting concert performances of operas; and the Parness Young Artists Concerto Competition.

Through its history, the orchestra has performed under a series of names. Initially called the Westchester Symphony, it became The Marina del Rey-Westchester Symphony for the burgeoning music devotees of Marina del Rey. After the orchestra was invited by Culver City to perform there, the name became The Culver City-Marina-Westchester Symphony, prompting the Los Angeles Times to call it “the orchestra with the long name.”

As we became settled in Culver City, we appreciated that our long time members and audience from throughout Southern California continued to attend our concerts and were joined with new members from Culver City. Hence, in 2005 the orchestra was named The Culver City Symphony Orchestra.

We perform at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Avenue, in Culver City, located at the intersection of Overland Avenue and Culver Boulevard.

Many of the musicians have remained with the orchestra through the years and through the name changes. Two of the original founding members continue to play with the orchestra, giving stability to what we feel is an outstanding orchestra comprised of local musicians, teachers, freelance artists and studio musicians.

The orchestra is proud to have presented concerts dedicated to Black American, Latin American, and Women composers.

Under Conductor and Music Director Frank Fetta, the orchestra remains dedicated to providing the highest artistic standards in presenting music to our loyal audience. The orchestra has performed throughout Southern California, and was featured in arts festivals-including The Los Angeles Street Festival; on radio-live music broadcasts from the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History; and television-the short, “The Ice Man Hummeth,” created by Michael J. Fox for The David Letterman Show.

The orchestra is gratified to be affiliated with the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors and its sponsors as the parent orchestra of The Marina del Rey Summer Symphony, led by Maestro Fetta in a series of successful concerts at Burton Chace Park.

The orchestra has performed in Culver City since 2000 and is pleased to be part of the community. We invite you to explore the many cultural and social events in the city. The renovated Downtown Culver City is an exciting place to eat in a wide variety of restaurants, shop, watch films, attend theater, entertain, or just stroll. Please visit our Sponsors page for links to the Culver City Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Culver City.

These live performances of The Culver City Symphony Orchestra offer you a chance to disconnect from the grid, turn off your cell phone and pagers, and follow wherever the music leads you.

The Westchester Symphony Society, Inc. presents the orchestra and thanks you for your support, now, and through the years to come. Your support is vital to making sure the notes continue to sound, and the thrill of a live concert of symphonic music continues. As a Symphony Society Member and Supporter you can take pleasure in knowing that you personally are part of the creation of music.

Please go to the Membership link for more information.

George Berres, Founder

With love and affection, the orchestra honors George Berres (1912-75), the orchestra founder and its first music director and conductor.

Mr. Berres contributed a a wealth of musical experiences through his own life experiences; and as a conductor, performer, and prolific composer. He was respected for his musical accomplishments, his strength, his kind and gently manner, his wisdom, his integrity, and his fabulous sense of humor.

George Berres was born in Berlin into a family with a long history of musicians. His father was a well-known conductor who held posts in Berlin, Stockholm, New York, and California. As a composer George Berres first surviving composition, “Dream Grotto, Opus 1, No. 1,” received a prize and a public performance in New York. That same year both he and his father accepted invitations to join the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as violinists.

A three year tour of duty in World War II interrupted Berres’ career - a career in which he was in constant demand as a violinist, particularly in film, television and recordings. His formal training in violin, composition and conducting was under such eminent musicians as Arnold Schoenberg, Ernest Toch and Sylvan Novak. In his 35 year career Berres was acquainted with numerous musicians, including Igor Stravinsky and Bruno Walter.

George Berres’ extensive list of composition prizes include the “Harp Quintet;” “Nonette:Theme and Variations.” Symphonic works including a tone poem; a divertimento for harp; and orchestra and his “Symphony in D major,” a commissioned work for the San Diego. Many of these works have been performed by orchestra when it was based in Westchester.

Orchestra Roster 2008 -2009

Frank Fetta, Conductor

Helene Mirich-Spear, Personnel

Andria Page, Librarian

Curtis Page, Stage Manager