Orchestra Santa Monica

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OSM Mission and Background

OSM Mission and Background

Original OSM Founder, Allen Robert Gross [on far left], with Musicians (2013)

Background: Orchestra Santa Monica (OSM) was founded in 2012 by Dr. Allen Robert Gross who served as the orchestra’s Music Director for six years.  After his retirement in May 2018, Roger Kalia was selected as OSM’s new Music Director (about Roger Kalia).

Roger Kalia, OSM Music Director as of Summer 2018

OSM Mission: To build a strong community of classical music lovers of all ages and make a positive impact on the quality of people’s lives.  OSM creates and shares life-enriching experiences through accessible, educational, and inspirational live concert performances.

Performances and Musicians: OSM performs its orchestra concerts in a variety of Santa Monica venues including most recently in 2021-2022, the Eli & Edythe Broad Stage, the Adams Performing Arts Center, and Calvary Baptist Church.  While available through early 2020, the Moss Theater served as its regular venue.  OSM keeps its musical programming varied, presenting both standard repertoire and less-traditional works, and introducing culturally diverse composers and soloists as well as new and exciting contemporary pieces.  Categorized as an “urban orchestra”, OSM musicians are a mix of seasoned professionals, emerging professionals, and auditioned volunteer players. (meet some of our OSM Musicians)

Outreach Activities: In addition to our standard orchestra concerts in Santa Monica, other OSM ensemble performances and activities take place in various locations throughout Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area.  To learn about more about our outreach activities, please see OSM Outreach.

Concert at the Eli & Edythe Broad Stage

OSM performing at the Broad Stage, SMC Performing Arts Center

Concert and early film screening of “We Gather: Black Life in Santa Monica” at Calvary Baptist Church

OSM and Calvary Baptist Church partner to present our “Musical Return and Gathering” program, OSM’s first ‘return-to-live performance’ event. Photo credit: Halline Overby for Art of Recovery

OSM at Adams Performing Arts Center

Dress rehearsal for “Beethoven and Broadway” concert at Adams Performing Arts Center

Performance at Zipper Hall, Colburn School

In the summer, OSM accompanied piano soloists from the Steinway Academy in concerto works by Mozart and Chopin. These amazing young pianists have trained at some of the most prestigious piano schools in the world, including the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Middle School and the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music Middle School in China.

OSM Outdoor Performances

OSM musicians present free pop-up solo and small ensemble performances at Reed Park.

Performance at the historic El Rey Theatre

The El Rey Theatre, located in the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles, provided the perfect ambiance for the “MindTravel and Beyond” experience.  OSM performed works by Philip Glass, Wojciech Kilar, and Murray Hidary.  Photo courtesy of MindTravel.

OSM Outreach to the Community

The OSM Piano Trio performing a free community outreach program at the Santa Monica Public Library Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium.  The trio played works by Dvorak, Mozart, and Piazzolla.

OSM Social Events

Pre-Concert “Symphony Happy Hour” events were introduced by Music Director, Roger Kalia, and are a wonderful way for OSM musicians and guest artists to interact with music lovers outside the concert hall.  Kalia presents an audio/visual based talk for the upcoming concert program and everyone has a fun and engaging time.

OSM at the Community “Y”

The OSM String Quartet presents the gift of music at a holiday concert in the Santa Monica Family YMCA.

OSM Ensemble Performs in Laemmle Live Series

Roger Kalia introduces the OSM Clarinet Quintet for a matinee concert at the Monica Film Center.