Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO) is a popular Livermore-based premier ensemble of eight to 42 experienced, professional musicians that enriches local communities with inspiring performances. It is a resident company at Bankhead Theater and also performs at other Bay Area venues. Music Director and Conductor Lawrence Kohl, who co-founded PCO in 1989, oversees a versatile repertoire ranging from Baroque to classical symphonies to more contemporary works. The nonprofit also offers a variety of educational programs.

PCO’s upcoming 37th season will offer Classics I concerts of gems with renowned guest soloists on September 19 and 20, 2026. On October 24, the sixth annual Winning Scores concert will offer premieres of competitively selected emerging composers from across the country. On November 28 and 29, 2026, PCO will perform its annual Handel’s Messiah concerts. On December 27, PCO will perform a new Disney-themed holiday concert called Disney Dreams and Magic that features selections from Disney musicals. Additional concerts will be held in the spring of 2027. PCO also introduces thousands of children to classical music each year through its Discover Music Now education programs for elementary schools, and hosts popular community-centered events such as the Tri-Valley Craft Cocktail Competition.

Discover Music Now introduces the fundamentals of classical music to more than 6,000 elementary school children each year. Its educational clinics offer professional ensemble coaching and techniques to middle and high school music ensembles. “There have been tons of studies about the impact of classical music and education, and how children who take up instruments or participate in music actively become better students,” Kohl says.

Recently, PCO officials announced that the organization will be expanding its leadership. According to the Search Committee, the new Administrative Director position “calls for a strong generalist across concert promotion, educational outreach, development, and community engagement, with operational oversight to support the organization’s work, ensuring that its expanding range of programs remains cohesive, accessible, and artistically strong.”

A fundraiser is also currently underway. The Passion for PCO 2026 campaign has the goal of raising $150,000 in donations to PCO from May 1 through June 30, 2026. The Community Health and Education Foundation (CHEF) has partnered with PCO to make community support go further. CHEF is adding 50% additional funding to each generous donation. Together, the goal is to raise a total $100,000 from supporters, plus $50,000 through CHEF’s matching funds. The donations will be used to strengthen both programming and access.

“I love seeing people come together around something that lifts them,” Kohl adds. “That moment when the room is alive–when audiences are moved, energized, and sharing it with each other–that’s the point of it all, that’s why we do this and keep doing more of it.”

For more information about the Pacific Chamber Orchestra, please visit www,pacificchamberorchestra.org.

To donate to the Passion for PCO 2026 fundraising campaign until June 30, 2026, please visit www.chefgivingcommunity.org/PassionForPCO2026.