“Working In The City” is The San Diego Sun’s feature Q&A series with downtown San Diego business operators. It’s a way to get to know the city by meeting the people who work here. This is the 21st in an ongoing series.
Company: San Diego Symphony (in Jacobs Music Center at 1245 Seventh Avenue in downtown’s Civic/Core).
What happens here: The San Diego Symphony, through unquestionable commitment to the highest levels of artistic achievement, seeks to elevate human potential by providing a shared sense of pride and belonging to something bigger than any of us can achieve alone. We offer audiences the wonder of live music and transformative learning experiences that develop an understanding and passion for the arts. We serve and shape the culture of the region, by being for all and with all, the musical heart of San Diego. To ensure we are an enduring force in the region we commit to fiscal responsibility.
Motto: Changing lives through music.
Downtown Ambassador: Beverly Feinberg fills this new position added specifically to embrace the downtown community. A San Diego resident for 35 years, she lives in the 92101 portion of Banker’s Hill. Her commute is less than a mile and she often walks to work. Walkability and the overall vibe are her favorite aspects of working downtown.
A downtown focus: As the musical heart of San Diego, we want to be sure our downtown neighbors, including residents, businesses and our tourism sector, can have a specific contact in the organization. Our venues are for our downtown community and beyond. But how nice it is to have the opportunity to share the incredible performances with downtown neighbors.
Employees: The Orchestra has 85 full-time musicians and more than 150 full- or part-time staff. Our employees at our two venues, Jacobs Music Center and The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park come from all parts of San Diego and even from other states. Many also live downtown.
Origin story: The San Diego Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert on December 6, 1910. In the 100-plus years since its inception, the SDSO has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States. It was designated a Tier 1 Orchestra by the League of American Orchestras in 2010. Through a rich mixture of innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, the Symphony makes music an integral part of the cultural and intellectual fabric of Southern California. The Music Director of the San Diego Symphony is Rafael Payare.
If your business starred in a movie, what would it be called? Stay Classical, San Diego!, starring Will Ferrell, of course!
Renovation story: Originally built in 1929 as The Fox Theatre, Jacobs Music Center underwent a major renovation project in early 2022. Elements of the renovation designed to elevate the hall’s acoustics include: a custom-designed permanent orchestra enclosure, a tunable acoustic canopy and the reconfiguration of both the stage and the audience seating. A choral terrace behind the orchestra was added and the main seating level was reshaped.
The hall features new seating and finishes; restored architectural details, modernized lighting, sound, video and recording equipment; and updated and expanded support spaces for musicians and enhanced audience amenities. The project was designed by architectural firm HGA in collaboration with acoustician Paul Scarbrough of Akustiks. The theater planner was Schuler Shook.
Major upgrades to the main mechanical systems of Jacobs Music Center were completed as well, which not only significantly enhance the comfort within the hall, but also contributes to the hall’s acoustic quality, and allows valuable space to be reprioritized for Symphony program uses. The revitalized hall was inaugurated on September 28, 2024.
Funniest downtown work memory: When Star Wars Stormtroopers dressed up for Comic-Con came marching from the San Diego Convention Center to take in one of our summer concerts.
Most surprising part of working downtown: How close everything is!
Parking: Concert attendees can pre-purchase parking at suggested lots and structures near both of our venues. When you purchase tickets through our ticket portal you get a “Know Before You Go” email with frequently asked questions.
Big-event bumps: Our business helps create and draw crowds downtown. We have multiple concerts nearly every weekend at our indoor venue from October through May, and year-round programming at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. We are in close contact with the businesses located around our venues with regard to our schedule and often help them staff/plan accordingly.
Celebrities: Many of our guest conductors and soloists are celebrities in the classical music field. And many amazing musicians and bands grace the stage at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.
Favorite downtown business that isn’t yours: The San Diego Ferry is one of them! I could go back and forth from The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park to The Landing on Coronado all day long! I love the water and our beautiful city.
Best insider tip for running a downtown SD business: Downtown is a close community. The people in San Diego are known for their humble and welcoming demeanor. From our performers to our donors, guests and volunteers. At the San Diego Symphony we are all welcoming with a range of performances that are designed to reach all audience demographics. We appreciate diversity! SDSun
