I moved to Sonoma County in 2000 from New York City. After a concert one night at the Symphony in Manhattan I was sharing my disappointment about how much I will miss wonderful music performances in the wilderness of Northern California. I was quickly informed that I was lucky to be heading that way rather than to Southern California. There was a very good symphony orchestra with, at that time, Jeffrey Kahane as conductor.

I arrived and immediately arranged to see the next concert of the Santa Rosa Symphony at the Burbank Center. I was thrilled to find and hear the music and see the crowd of confirmed music lovers. The venue was sweet and I was glad for the opportunity. However that space was not exactly what one would want for a musical experience and certainly not comparable to the venue’s in the big cities I had lived in.

I came to know just how many serious listeners there were around here and there was already beginning to form a plan to build such a venue. Lead by music makers and lovers, Maureen and Donald Green who generously started the ball rolling to build such a center.

I was swept along, with many others, to raise awareness of the plot to fund and build a “world class” music center in the forests of Sonoma. I suppose one could say, the rest is history, But history often unfolds in fits and starts.

The magnificent space in which we now sit couldn’t have been imagined. After the commitment of many Green Music Center devotees living through the fits and starts, the Hall was filled by grateful patrons and magnificent sound. More sublime and satisfying than we could have imagined. We went religiously.

For personal reasons, the death of my husband and though I never stopped listening to music, I no longer was the faithful subscriber that I had been. I certainly missed a live orchestra and the joy of the acoustically perfect space and mesmerized audience.

Fast forward and here I am blessed with access and friends to share the pleasure of music and the beauty of The Green Center. I have become a donor again. Music and Education are my primary concerns and I fear that the continuation at the highest levels of both are at risk.

I am pleased and honored to again be a supporter of SSU and The Green Music Center.

Join Reneé and become a Green Music Supporter. Questions? Contact Jana Ponce, jana.ponce@sonoma.edu. 707-664-3530.