Auburn Symphony 'Scaling the Heights' documentary film, CD to be released

The Auburn Symphony is proudly releasing a documentary film on Monday, Dec. 21. "Auburn Symphony: Scaling the Heights" is a 70-minute film highlighting the growth of the orchestra over the past nine years – 2012-2020 – with Peter Jaffe leading the symphony as music director and conductor. The documentary starts with the tragic passing of Music Director and Conductor Michael Goodwin in February 2012, and the arrival of Jaffe, who debuted with the orchestra in May 2012. Musicians, staff, board members and community partners weave together the story in segments, similar to a normal symphony concert. The film shares the leadership, new programming and special guest artists Jaffe brought to the organization and recounts firsthand his unique connection and tutelage of the musicians. The greatest highlight of the story is the journey to produce Richard Strauss' "An Alpine Symphony," a magnificent symphonic work that is performed by few orchestras worldwide due to the sheer number of musicians required. With 120 musicians needed, professional orchestras rarely are able to underwrite such a large symphony. The fact that Auburn's volunteer community orchestra successfully brought this to the stage at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis in May 2017 was a real bucket list item, for the musicians and Jaffe as well. With the 2020-21 season being Jaffe's last, the film is a testament to his legacy and ends with a nod to a bright future. In addition to the documentary, a new limited-release CD of the performance is available for purchase, personally autographed by Jaffe, at auburnsymphony.com and can be mailed or picked up at the office. The documentary and CD make great stocking stuffers. To complete the circle, the Auburn Symphony will re-release the full 45-minute concert in early January. The documentary and concert video will be available for viewing on the Auburn Symphony YouTube channel. In an otherwise non-performance year, the Auburn Symphony is thrilled to offer these virtual events. "These are our gifts to the community, as a thank you for all your support over our 33 years," Executive Director Anne Brown proudly shares. Visit AuburnSymphony.com on Dec. 21 to watch the documentary. CD orders are available now. Check back in January to watch the "Alpine Symphony" video. For information, call 530-823-6683. The office will be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 4.