Plans for Benicia symphony depend on participation level

By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

A director and conductor with about 20 years’ experience guiding youth orchestras in other Bay Area cities is hoping to do the same this fall in his hometown of Benicia.

Rem Djemilev earned his bachelor and master degrees from Moscow Conservatory and has performed as a violinist with the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra. Since 1983, Djemilev has taught children to play classical, romantic and even contemporary pops and rock music on such instruments as violin and cello.

He began teaching in Russia, but arrived in California as part of a quartet that had been performing extensively throughout Europe and the United States.

At San Francisco State University, he and his fellow musicians met the Alexander String Quartet and were asked to stay and teach while the quartet was away on tours.

“That’s how we got our visas. And we stayed,” he said. He and his fellow musicians later qualified for green cards. Each in turn became American citizens.

All the while, Djemilev was teaching youth about music. By 1997, he was appointed the conductor of the Young People’s Chamber Orchestra in Berkeley, an all-string ensemble for children 8 to 14.

In 2001, he was named the musical director of the Diablo Regional Youth Orchestra, a Walnut Creek organization that began with only 14 members, but that now has three individual orchestras with 80 participants.

Djemilev also teaches at the Crowden School, which teaches a regular school curriculum and adds two hours of music to the schedule as well, and the Black Pine Circle School, both of Berkeley. Some of his students are from Benicia.

But that’s not the only reason Djemilev wants to start a youth orchestra here.

After marrying in 2007, Ann, his wife, easily convinced him they should stay in her home town.

“I love Benicia,” he said. “It’s a wonderful, historic city. It has a lot of incredible traditions that have been maintained by the community.

“The community is very active, and very curious. They collect beautiful antique cars, beautiful paintings — it’s truly an incredible place.”

He noticed, however, that the city had a missing musical element. “It has school bands and other ensembles, but not a youth orchestra,” he said.

He decided to offer classes through the Benicia Parks and Community Development Department; that commitment would lead to the youth orchestra.

Djemilev said he enjoys watching children learn to become musicians. “It’s an exciting process. It’s wonderful to see how they communicate through music, and it’s social entertainment. It’s a lot of fun to watch them succeed.”

At first, he said, “they start overwhelmed. But note by note, they get it, and it results in a terrific performance. It’s an amazing process to watch them grow and get better and better every year.”

Some of his students from 10 years ago are adults who perform in community orchestras and other ensembles, he said.

He said he has plans beyond the orchestra rehearsals that will be the launching point of the Benicia Youth Orchestra. He expects these students, too, will become performers, perhaps at regular Christmas and springtime concerts.

Not only could they play in the Benicia Community Center’s performing hall, but he also envisions them entertaining at the Clock Tower, which he said easily could seat 200 people.

“It’s a perfect concert spot, and a beautiful, historic place,” he said.

Rehearsals start Sept. 12 in the Clock Tower. A class for beginners will meet 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mondays and will focus on stringed instruments, Djemilev said. A second class for those with some musical experience will meet at 4:30-5:30 p.m. Mondays.

Cost is $162 for residents and $202 for nonresidents.

“All they have to bring is themselves and their instruments,” Djemilev said. He will provide the musical arrangements.

Sign Up
Registration for the Benicia Youth Orchestra is being accepted in person at the Benicia Community Center, 370 East L St.; through a drop box at the west entrance of City Hall, 250 East L St.; by fax to 707-747-8118; by mail to Benicia Parks and Community Services, 250 East L St., Benicia, CA 94510; or on the Web at online.activenetwork.com/benicia/. Those interested may call 746-4285 for more information.