The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus returns to Mandeville Auditorium Dec. 3-4 with Jeffrey Malecki conducting their latest program “Passionate Voices.”

This event marks the second live concert for LJS&C following an extended break from in-person programming following COVID.

The concert will open with “The Chairman Dances” by Adams, followed by a world premiere by local composer and UCSD graduate student, Sang Song. Song is the 2022 awardee of the Nee Commission, which is awarded annually and collaboratively by LJS&C and the UCSD Music Department.

Prior to the symphony’s break, composer Song sat in on many rehearsals with the all-volunteer orchestra. Because of this, Song said he was able to compose his new piece with particular LJS&C orchestra musicians in mind.

“I went to all of the rehearsals for the last rehearsal cycle of Steven Schick’s tenure. I was blown away,” Sang said. “I thought, this is not an ordinary community orchestra.”

Featuring local trombonist Berk Schneider as soloist, Song’s new concerto “Frozen Grief” will incorporate unusual staging and unique theatrical lighting elements that may surprise the audience.

“One of the first things I did was reach out to the manager of the auditorium and ask “Can you do this? Can you turn off the stage lights over a span of time?’” Song said. “I was so delighted when he said yes.”

Later in the program, the orchestra will be joined by the chorus and four soloists to perform Rossini’s “Stabat Mater.”

“It’s nice for me to be able to dive back into more serious, classical music in live performance,” soloist Victoria Robertson said. “I’m excited—it’s a really beautifully written piece.”

As a former winner of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus Young Artist Competition, this performance marks a full circle moment for Robertson. The symphony and chorus will also be joined by soloists Bernardo Bermudez, Sarabeth Belón, and Travis Sherwood.

Heading back to the Mandeville stage at UCSD, this performance will be the second in a unique lineup of concerts featuring guest conductors like Malecki. Malecki is known for creating the formal band program at University of San Diego, as well as the university’s Music Education degree.

“There is a community of extremely talented conductors in San Diego,” said Stephanie Weaver Yankee, LJS&C Executive Director. “We are thrilled to be able to showcase several gifted individuals during our season of transition.”

The organization is in the midst of a search for a new director after their long-time director, Steven Schick, stepped down in June. Schick will return as a guest conductor in February.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased by visiting www.ljsc.org, phoning the box office at (858) 534-4637 or by writing to [email protected].