Our Mission
The Redwood Arts Council provides world class small ensemble music performances with a rainbow of musical genres to inspire and serve our audiences and communities of all ages and backgrounds, including our students.
Our Vision
The Redwood Arts Council seeks to connect with and transform our communities with musical performance, especially our new generations of music makers and music listeners.
More About the Redwood Arts Council
In our 44th season, we continue to provide world class musical performance, from more traditional to modern, in intimate/smaller venues in West Sonoma County. We have reached out to our local schools and they are excited about our on-site and off-site music education activities for them. In addition, since last season, all Redwood Arts Council performances begin with a brief performance by advanced music students. These two to five minute “openers” are a big hit with our audience. We celebrate the hard work of exceptional students and the incredible teachers who inspire them.
Recently About the Redwood Arts Council
In 2021, with COVID-19 protocols, we presented, via Zoom, the Agave Baroque with noted Black countertenor Reginald Mobley in a concert of “Black and Brown composers from the US, Mexico, Cuba and South America.” Their commercially released CD of this program was nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award. We have hosted the Harlem String Quartet which provided jazz, Latin, contemporary works, as well as more traditional classical music.
Our History and Past Performers
Born out of the love of small house concerts, our series has grown over four decades to become a world class chamber music series for our many communities. Our concert atmosphere is never stuffy and our artists always interact with the audience, creating a most rewarding concert experience with an approachable educational component. The Redwood Arts Council provides 6 to 10 concerts a year in venues with excellent acoustics. Currently, we split our season between the Occidental Center for the Arts and the Community Church of Sebastopol. This provides two easy to reach venues with excellent acoustics that provide handicap parking, and easy access for walkers and wheelchairs. Ticket prices are held to a minimum through donations and grants that underwrite half of the organization’s cost. Students are admitted for $10 and children with adult are free.
During the past 44 years, the Council has presented 391 concerts for the enjoyment of over 34,000 people, featuring such internationally acclaimed artists as David Abel, the Oberlin Piano Trio, guitarist Paul Galbraith, Cellist Amit Peled and the Kronos Quartet. String quartets have included the Alexander, Borromeo, Miró, Daedalus, Cavani, Thalea as well as the Flanders Recorder Quartet, Calefax Reed Quintet, the Modern Mandolin Quartet, and American Chamber players. Local artists have included members of the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Kathleen Kraft, Chaskinakuy, Patrick Ball, Tuck and Patti, San Francisco Saxophone Quartet, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, San Francisco Piano Trio, Agave, and Linda Tillery and Nina Gerber.
Who We Are
Board Members, Advisors, and Staff
Board President, Judith Reimuller, has been associated with Redwood Arts Council for over 20 years. She has served many roles including as Master of Ceremonies at concerts, as interface with the artists and organizer of the raffle held at each event. Judith also has extensive experience in the production of the musical stage.
Board Vice President, Tom Lowrie, BS, UC Davis. is a retired Sonoma County winemaker. He has a life-long
fascination with the transformative powers of the arts, especially music.
Board Secretary, Ralph Schoolcraft, BS, UVA, is a retired aerospace program manager and music aficionado. He has been associated with Redwood Arts for over 20 years, has prepared its publicity materials and plans its budgets.
Treasurer, Diane Berl, is a tax specialist. She is a longtime Sonoma County resident and has supported the Redwood Arts Council for several decades. She oversees all aspects of the Redwood Arts Council’s financial matters.
Board member, Liza Loop, BA, CSU Sonoma. MA, Standford University, School of Education. Executive Director of the LO*OP Center and Director, History of Computing in Learning and Education (HCLE) project. Liza provides expertise to the board on managing a 501C(3) organization and experience in introducing technology to the classroom.
Board member, Nicki Bell, leads the Council’s Education Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors. She began piano lessons at six, teaching at twelve, and has continuously performed and taught music for over fifty years.
Advisor Kathleen Reynolds, BA, CSU Sonoma. MM, Manhattan School of Music. CA Teaching Credential. Faculty, CSU Sonoma, Music Education and Music Performance. Principal Flute, Santa Rosa Symphony. Kathleen assists with the Council’s music exposure and music education programs.
Advisor, Roy Zajac, BA, University of Michigan, Music Education, MA, University of Minnesota, Music Performance, studied (and continues to study), forgotten, out of print, rarely performed, and ethnic music. Faculty, CSU Sonoma, Music Education and Music Performance. Principal Clarinet, Santa Rosa Symphony. Roy will be on site in schools providing materials, staff support, and student instruction.
Advisor Valerie Marshall, BS UCLA, MA University of San Francisco, Marriage and Family Therapist
Advisor Lorraine Blue, BA, MA, CSU Sonoma, Marriage and Family Therapist
Valerie and Lorraine advise the Council’s music exposure program to incorporate learning tools which will teach students about the connections between music and emotion (in an age appropriate fashion) in The Redwoods Art Council mission to assist with addressing the priority student populations experiencing trauma from fires/floods.
Executive Director Roger Farley has served on the boards of directors of many non-profit organizations. He leads Redwood Arts’ efforts to engage, inspire, and transform our audiences and communities of all ages and backgrounds with the magical power of music.
How to contact us:
racmusic@sonic.net