Annette Brower is the founder of Prelude Strings. After doing a bit of informal research, she determined the community needed a string orchestra for students as young as eight years old. With financial support from the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts, Prelude String Orchestra started in 1994 as a 10 week class through the Tustin parks and recreation department. Annette chose Helen Weed as the conductor because of her passion for music education and enthusiastic pledge of commitment. Helen chose the name of the orchestra, “Prelude,” to indicate the first orchestral experience for many children. Prelude Strings is a 501 c 3 non profit corporation.
All students study with private teachers and have been accepted based on an audition. We have about 30 rehearsals on Saturday mornings between September and May and three performances.
Due to overwhelming interest, the Orchestra grew from a group of 8 violins and 2 cellos in its first season, to about 110 musicians divided into three string ensembles: Prelude String Orchestra (1994), Prelude Sinfonia (2021) and Prelude Chamber Strings (1998). Orchestra members are in elementary and junior high school. These musicians come from Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties.
Since 1994, we have enjoyed performing throughout Orange County at various community churches, as well as Christ Cathedral, Santa Ana Zoo, Laguna Hills and Brea Malls, South Coast Plaza, Tustin Historical Society home tour, Laguna Woods, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, Soka University, Segerstrom Concert Hall and the Orange County Performing Arts Center
Prelude Strings wants to thank the many musicians, parents and community patrons whose support has helped make the Orchestras a success. It has been our great pleasure to bring fine music to the citizens of Orange County and enrich the lives of hundreds of young musicians.
PSO was featured in a front page story in the OC register.