CENTER'S OPENING MUSIC TO SANTA CLARITA SYMPHONY'S EARS CLASSICAL FANS TRUMPETING PLAN FOR RENEWED ORCHESTRA.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - With the wraps almost off the new performing arts center at College of the Canyons, fans of classical music are rallying behind a rejuvenated Santa Clarita Symphony.

While the budget is being developed for the symphony's 2005 season, the group hopes to be included in the inaugural performances at the center, due to open in October.

``One of the biggest obstacles for a professional symphony is having a place to perform,'' said Jim Blazer, the newly elected president of the symphony's board of directors. ``Since the city has contributed money to the new performing arts center, we hope to be able to use that facility.

The Santa Clarita Symphony has been around since 2001, a second generation of sorts of the Symphony of the Canyons, which was a course- based performance group at College of the Canyons. The most recent performance of the fledgling group was Sept. 1, 2002, at Newhall Park, when it provided the grand finale for the city's Concerts in the Park series.

``With the growing population and sophistication of our community, it was time for the city to have a professional symphony instead of an academic-based one,'' Blazer said.

He and his business partner, Andrew Horowitz, both financial advisers, are working with the board to recruit supporters and volunteers to make the symphony work.

The organizers will introduce the plan for the symphony on March 4 at a gathering at the Valencia Country Club.

Blazer said that this symphonic effort will work toward breaking some stereotypes with outreach efforts to young people and unique untraditional events.

``I believe that exposure to classical music develops certain parts of our brains,'' he said.

Robert Lawson is the musical director for the new program.

``Bob Lawson is a wonderful, forward-thinking individual and has some interesting ideas,'' Blazer said. ``One of them is to have a symphonic performance tied in with a dinner. Guests would hear compositions from Italian musicians, and enjoy an Italian dinner. It would be very exciting to get away from snob appeal that people associate with classical music.''

The tentative plan is for serious concerts at the college with some ``lighthearted pop affairs'' also planned.

``I'd love to do a rock concert with the symphony backing them,'' he said, revealing that his interest in the music comes from a deeper source than community culture. After he puts aside the forecasts and financial advice, Blazer plays keyboards with the Spencer Davis Group and has performed with the likes of Chuck Berry and other big names in the music world.

``I kind of lead a dual alter-ego life,'' he said. ``My niche in the investment world is entertainment, but I also have a burning desire for classical music.''

Blazer said some of the board members' other dreams include collaborating with the Santa Clarita Master Chorale on Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and working with the Santa Clarita Ballet Company on its holiday ``Nutcracker'' presentation.

``We need the support of the community at large to make that happen,'' he said. ``Our goal isn't just to get a symphony up here performing. It's to spearhead the cultural growth. We are woefully behind with all the development. It's nice that we have this center at the college, but it's going to be mostly college performances there.''

The size of the symphony would vary depending on the performance, but Blazer said they could field anywhere from a four- or five-piece chamber group to a 60-member ensemble for something like Beethoven's Ninth. Musicians would be paid according to union scale. He estimated an annual budget of $500,000 would be enough to produce five performances and administration to keep the symphony going.

While the numbers might seem daunting, Blazer said the board of directors has its feet firmly planted in reality.

``It would be cost-prohibitive to keep everyone on salary right now,'' he said. ``And right now, a third of the musicians committed to the project are from the Santa Clarita Valley, but we don't put demographics on the chairs. We just want the best music possible. Right now, this is all wish list stuff. We can scale back in our inaugural season and grow from there. Eventually we'd like to do something once a month.''

The symphony has two concerts set before that grand opening. One will be in tandem with the Master Chorale on March 21 in the Hart High School auditorium and the other at the community's June 5 Wine Classic, which will be shared the SCV Youth Orchestra and held at the college.

The group needs people who have a passion for music and the time and talents to support the orchestra's fledgling efforts. Organizers are looking for help with selling and collecting tickets for concerts, ushering concertgoers, handling public relations, concessions, grant writing, newsletter production and volunteer coordination.

Those interested in volunteering or attending the March 4 event can contact Blazer at [phone], ext. 13, or visit the Web site at www.scsymphony.com.

``We are a nonprofit organization,'' Blazer said. ``Anyone who wants to move a chair around or help us with an hour or two here and there is welcome.''

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Jim Blazer, left, and Andrew Horowitz hope to bring the rejuvenated Santa Clarita Symphony to the new College of the Canyons performing arts center.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer