About Us

The Kensington Symphony orchestra is a community based orchestra in its 32th season. Supported by Contra Costa College, ticket sales and donations, it is made up of music-loving professional and amateur musicians from the Bay area. Five concerts are played per year between September and June. Starting this year the orchestra rehearses at El Cerrito High School and performs at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley in Kensington.

Welcome to the 32nd season!

This season marks the 32nd anniversary of the Kensington Symphony Orchestra! The KSO was founded in 1977 by Robert M. Kissel, its first Music Director and Conductor (1977-1990). It was originally known as the Phoenix Symphony because it arose from the figurative ashes of the first Contra Costa Symphony. A handful of former Contra Costa Symphony players began rehearsing in a member's garage, but soon the expanding group of musicians needed proper rehearsal and performance space and moved to their first home at the Arlington Community Church in Kensington. Rapidly growing, the KSO moved to the First Unitarian Church on Lawson Road, Kensington, and changed its name to reflect its home venue. In 1979, the KSO was incorporated in Contra Costa County and is a 501(c)(3) California non-profit corporation.

In the early 1980's, the Kensington Symphony began the long and fruitful relationship with Contra Costa College that it enjoys today. The KSO is an off-campus class at CCC and has performed numerous times at the College's Performing Arts Center. In December 2007, the KSO gave joint performances with members of the Contra Costa College Music Department at both the College and at Northminster Presbyterian Church in El Cerrito. The Kensington Symphony has also provided live music for graduation ceremonies at the University of California, Berkeley's Greek Theatre for over twenty years.

The Kensington Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Lloyd Elliott from 1990 to 2003, making several other venue changes in the process. In 2004, the KSO was pleased to engage its third and current Music Director and Conductor, Geoffrey Gallegos, who has greatly expanded both the Symphony and the scope of its musical repertoire.

The Kensington Symphony Orchestra is a community orchestra which draws its members from all walks of life and professions, from students to retirees, and includes both fine amateur players as well as professional musicians. Part of the KSO's mission is to make classical/symphonic music accessible and affordable to the community. The KSO is also dedicated to fostering musical growth for youth. To that end, KSO sponsors a Young Soloist Competition whose winner is awarded a cash prize and has the opportunity to perform a concerto with the Orchestra. The KSO has a long history of featuring local artists and composers and premiering new works.