Symphony Orchestra

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As the flagship orchestra of the university, the Symphony Orchestra presents high-quality concerts and experiences to undergraduate and graduate students of California Baptist University. Under the direction of Dr. Gene Moon, the orchestra regularly performs major works from the standard orchestral repertoire spanning from the Baroque to contemporary composers into the 21st century.

Members of the Symphony Orchestra are trained in professional orchestral rehearsals and performances while honing their craft through intense applied studio experiences. The Symphony Orchestra performs classical concerts, choral masterworks, and operatic programs throughout the academic year. Members of the Symphony Orchestra move on to pursue graduate degrees at conservatories around the world and play in professional orchestras throughout the region.

To schedule an audition, please visit our Next Steps page, contact the CBU School of Music office by phone at 951-343-4251, or email us at schoolofmusic@calbaptist.edu.

Dr. Gene Moon

Conductor, Symphony Orchestra

Conducting all around the world, maestro Gene Moon has graced the podium of orchestras on four continents over the course of his career. Beginning the fall of 2018, Dr. Moon joined the faculty of California Baptist University serving as Director of Orchestral Studies. His recent posts have included Director of Orchestral Activities at Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX), Artistic Director of the East Texas Youth Orchestras (Tyler, TX) and Music Director and Conductor of the Longview Symphony Orchestra (Longview, TX).

Sought after, nationally and internationally, maestro Moon has led performances with orchestras including the Saigon Philharmonic, Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín, Gangnam Symphony Orchestra and All-State orchestras in Arkansas and Louisiana along with orchestras of the University of Macau Orchestra and Hong Kong Baptist University and many region honor orchestras and festivals throughout the United States. He is on faculty with the Sewanee Summer Music Festival and works with hundreds of young musicians from all around the world each summer.

Ms. Ruth Noemy Wheeler

Assistant Conductor, Symphony Orchestra

Hailed by her audiences as “An outstanding, inspiring and passionate musician”, Mrs. Wheeler is the Concertmaster of Corona Symphony Orchestra and Founder of the California Baptist University Symphony Orchestra. She is known by striving for excellence in all what she does, making a difference among her peers but mostly among her students helping them and mentoring them as young musicians. Teaching younger generations is one of her passions and she demonstrates it in every opportunity. Her mentorship and leadership are remarkable in the lives of her students. She is firm but kind; sharing life lessons with them knowing that the work she does now is for her students' future. Her credentials are impressive. Her studies include the Manual Carra Professional Music Conservatory, in Malaga, Spain, Superior Conservatory of Music of Malaga, California Baptist University, The Juilliard School, NYC (Summers 2011, 2013, 2015,2017), and The New York Conducting Institute- Summers 2017 and 2018.

Mrs. Wheeler currently is the Assistant Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra Director of the University Choir and Orchestra; as well as one of the Violin Instructors at California Baptist University.