Fullerton Friends of Music 2026/27 Season
68th season
Experience a musical journey with the upcoming concerts for our 68th
season. Be sure to follow Fullerton Friends of Music (FFM) on social media.
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” Albert Einstein
SATURDAYS AT 3:30 PM
Admission without charge
Please note that ALL concerts will take place on Saturday at the
Fullerton First United Methodist Church - 114 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832.
There is limited parking behind the church, entered from Amerige or Commonwealth. There is also street parking on Pomona and Amerige, and a free parking structure one block south of the church at Pomona Santa Fe. The Fullerton Transportation Center, served by Metrolink and Amtrak train lines as well as OCTA buses, is about two blocks south. For more information you call: (562) 691-7437.
Upcoming concerts
BenjamDimitri Illarionov guitar
Nikolai Sivchuk Stella bayan
Dimitri Illarionov is an acclaimed classical guitarist, winning over 20 international competitions, including
the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America and Francisco Tárrega competitions. He performs solo
recitals and frequently collaborates with symphony and chamber orchestras worldwide, including I Solisti
Veneti, San Antonio Symphony, and the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra
Nikolay Sivchuk is an acclaimed bayan (button accordion) player from Russia and a teacher, arranger, and
composer who continues the best traditions of the Russian bayan school of performers. He studied at
the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow and is the winner of prestigious all-Russian and
international competitions in Russia, Germany, Hungary, and China.
Program
Joaquín Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez, 2nd mvt.
Isaac Albeniz Asturias
Nikolay Sivchuk Lullaby of mountains
Ernesto Lecuona Gitanerias and "Malagueña" from the Suite Andalucia
Antonio Vivaldi Winter from the Four Seasons
Mathias Duplessy Trans-Siberian
Sivchuk Time
Bill Whelan Riverdance - Irish Suite
Dimitri Illarionov Hopeness
Vyacheslav Semenov Bulgarian Suite
Aaron Copland Hoe-down from the ballet "Rodeo"
Dimitri Illarionov, guitar and Nikolay Sivchuk, bayan (Russian accordion)
Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 3:30pm - Fullerton First United Methodist Church
Butter Quartet
Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 3:30pm - Fullerton First United Methodist Church
The Butter Quartet consists of four musicians brought together by their mutual love of vibrant historically-informed performance of string quartets. They first formed during their studies at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague but soon developed a passion and dynamic that extended beyond their conservatory years. The Butters enjoy integrating their research on late 18th- and early 19th-century performance practice into powerful performances. They also bring the same spirit of discovery to
newly-composed works for historically-setup instruments
Anna Jane Lester violin
Chloe Prendergast violin
Isabel Franenberg viola
Evan Buttar cello
Program
Scintilla:
Gaetano Pugnani String Quartet no. 2 in E-Flat Major
Luigi Boccherini String Quartet in C minor op. 2 no. 1
Felice Giardini String Quartet in C Major op. 25 no. 1
Jami Rivers oboe/English horn
Koby Slavin clarinet
Jade Deatherage saxophone
Dominique Holley bass clarinet
Benjamin Paley bassoon
Driftwood Reed Quintet
Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 3:30pm -Fullerton First United Methodist Church
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the Driftwood Quintet is a chamber group dedicated to crossing genres and bending boundaries in classical music. Through the work of Driftwood's arrangers, a performance can feature anything from orchestral masterworks or piano works to the imaginative soundtracks from the greatest video games and films. Driftwood also exemplifies its dedication to chamber music through educational outreach, engaging youth through interactive performances that integrate music with a variety of disciplines such as language arts, science, and history.
Program
America 250: A Triumphant Spirit
The program celebrates the rich and ever-evolving tapestry of American music from the early 1900s to
the present day. It brings together a vibrant selection of works that reflect the spirit, struggle, and
beauty of America across generations: Amy Beach, Florence Price, Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, William
Grant Still, Elliott Smith, Zachary Green, Alfred Reed.
YCA: Young Concert Artists on Tour
Saturday, January 23, 2027 at 3:30pm - Fullerton First United Methodist Church
This is a bold reimagining of chamber music with an electrifying ensemble of accordion and strings.
Young Concert Artists on Tour is a unique chamber music touring ensemble that is made up of the
incredible talent of both current YCA artists and esteemed alumni from the YCA family. This unique
initiative brings together the brightest emerging musicians and the seasoned veterans who have already
made a significant impact in the classical music world.
Program
Paul Schoenfield Café Music
Maurice Ravel La Valse (Trio Version)
Igor Stravinsky Suite Italienne
Felix Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49 (31')
City of Tomorrow
Saturday, March 13, 2027- Fullerton First United Methodist Church
Winners of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, The City of Tomorrow is a new breed of the wind quintet — boldly innovative, theatrically adventurous, and committed to reimagining the possibilities of chamber music in the 21st century. Known for their “ferocious ensemble precision” and “exhilarating performances,” the ensemble brings together five outstanding musicians united by a passion for contemporary music and a belief that art can — and should — engage with the most pressing issues of our time.
"This is one quintet that is sure to leave you breathless."
- Maggie Malloy, Second Inversion
Program
Dai Fujikura Cosmic Breath
Nat Evans Music for Breathing
David Lang Breathless
Pauline Oliveros Teach Yourself to Fly
John Harbison Quintet for Winds
Nanci Belmont bassoon
Elise Blatchford flute
Stuart Breczinski oboe
Rane Moore clarinet
Leander Star horn