Our Monca Partnership
North State Symphony has partnered with monca (Museum of Northern California Art) to use visual art from the museum’s permanent collection for the 2014–15 season. Featuring these works of art adds another dimension to this season's journey of discovery.
We enjoy our partnership with monca as we both share a vision to sustain a strong culture of the arts in the North State.
Their vision is to "be a vehicle for communities in the region to experience and create art for the sake of enjoyment, expression, social cohesion, innovation and communication. The museum will improve public perception of art by creating vital educational programs that inspire enthusiasm and increase the quality of life for artists, art enthusiasts and the public at large."
With a twenty year lease on the Veterans Memorial Hall on the Esplanade, the museum is currently in the midst of a Transformation/Renovation Building Campaign to raise $500,000 for transforming an elegant 1927 Classical Revival building into a creatively designed art museum for the entire North State. The first phase of development will include four large exhibition spaces, a grand reception foyer and spaces for educational outreach, a gift shop and small cafe. We encourage you to join monca with your support in as many ways as possible to help them reach their opening date of spring 2016.
Thank you monca!
Learn more about the plans for monca's new home at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Chico.
Meet Ryan Kuster, September Guest Artist
Bass-Baritone Ryan Kuster has gained vast attention on the west coast for his accolades in San Francisco, where he recently completed a two year residency and over 80 performances in the prestigious Adler Fellowship Program of San Francisco Opera. His performance as Escamillo in their production of Carmen was called “pure bravado.” The Classical Voice said of his performance as Masetto in Don Giovanni, “Handsome Ryan Kuster sang beautifully, and acted so convincingly that it was hard to believe he’s an Adler Fellow.”
In 2012, Kuster made his symphonic debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic singing the role of Masetto in their highly acclaimed production of Don Giovanni, directed by Christopher Alden, with costumes by Rodarte, and led by Mo. Dudamel. In addition, he returned to Wolf Trap Opera to debut the title role of Don Giovanni and made his National Symphony debut performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Up next, Ryan will sing Angelotti in Tosca with Madison Opera, Colline in La Boheme with Arizona Opera, and Escamillo in Carmen with both Opera Colorado (company debut) and Virginia Opera.