Poway Symphonette home from Vienna tour

Members of the Poway Symphonette spent several days on the trip of a lifetime in December.

Eleven members of the 20-strong chamber orchestra, along with family members, traveled to Vienna, Austria, to participate in the Vienna Advent Festival, where they performed at Vienna’s City Hall during the closing ceremonies of the festival, as well as at three other locations, departing on Dec. 17 and returning on Dec. 23.

For Ulli Reiner, who founded both the Poway Symphonette and its elder sibling, the Poway Symphony Orchestra, the trip was a chance to expose her musicians to not just the Vienna Advent Festival, but Vienna itself.

“There is nothing more inspiring and spiritually uplifting than to stand in the great halls and cathedrals of Europe performing works of some of the greatest composers that ever lived and to actually become a part of both your own history as well as the past. Walking the cobblestone streets that are centuries old and some even dating back to as far as Roman times you cannot help but feel the presence of those that lived and walked those same streets. It was indeed a most humbling experience expressed by all on this tour to perform in these great cathedrals and halls and a true trip of a lifetime,” said Reiner.

In addition to performing at Vienna’s City Hall, the musicians performed at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, St. Peter’s Church and Melk Monastery.

Reiner formed the Poway Symphony Orchestra ten years ago. In 2009, she formed the Poway Symphonette, a smaller, more intimate chamber orchestra for those musicians who weren’t comfortable in the bigger orchestra, or who weren’t quite at the level yet to perform in the Poway Symphony Orchestra. “I saw the need for a smaller ensemble that could train musicians,” said Reiner. “(The Poway Symphonette) performs chamber music, which is more intimate.”

The symphonette, which is operated through the Poway Adult School, is made up of professionals, community members and former Poway Unified School District students, some of whom Reiner has known since they were in sixth grade, she said. “It’s so wonderful to see them keep music in their lives, even as adults.”

To simplify their traveling, Reiner said they chose to bring their own music and music stands, but rent instruments in Austria, rather than risk theirs being damaged in transit. “Airlines are really cracking down on what can be brought on board,” she said. Another benefit was being able to return them after finishing performing their concerts, to make sightseeing easier. “It was the best decision we could have made. Everyone was thrilled with the quality of the instruments we rented.”

Reiner said all the concerts they performed in Austria were well attended, with the concert at Melk Monastery being standing-room only. “Everyone seemed very appreciative of our work,” she said.

The Poway Symphonette will next perform in March during the opening ceremony for the middle school orchestra festival at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, which is hosted by Reiner every year. They will perform their final concert of the 2014-2015 season in June at Incarnation Lutheran church in Poway, which is their normal performance venue.

The symphonette and the Poway Symphony Orchestra are always looking for new members, said Reiner. Both groups practice Monday nights at Meadowbrook Middle School, the symphonette at 6 p.m. and the symphony orchestra from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Those interested can contact Reiner for more information at ureiner@earthlink.net.