About | Camerata

The Camerata California was formed in the year 2000 to promote the performance of classical instrumental and vocal music. Camerata is comprised of professional musicians united in the wish to apply their experience and vocal qualities to an activity of uncommon depth and inspiration. It is a versatile chamber choir and is capable of carrying any repertoire with a large expressive range. These qualities are made possible because of the training, long experience, and the musicality and voices of its members. The Camerata California has appeared with its own chamber orchestra as well as with the Auburn Symphony, the Camellia Symphony, Gold Country Chamber Orchestra and the Sacramento Ballet. Camerata California is a nonprofit public benefit corporation administered by a board of directors.

Pete Nowlen

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Camerata California Artistic Director, Pete Nowlen has been a dynamic part of the northern California musical scene for nearly 30 years. Dedicated to renewing and sustaining classical music’s relevance in our society, Pete’s career has led him to surprisingly diverse opportunities.

Currently, he holds artistic and musical director positions with seven organizations ranging from San Francisco to Nevada County including Music in the Mountains, the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra, and The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. As a faculty member at both UC Davis, where he is director of Concert Bands, and Sacramento State, Pete has mentored a generation of musicians and music educators for our region and beyond.

As a guest conductor, Pete has led performances of the Sacramento Symphony and Philharmonic as well as the, Auburn, Camellia, Veridian, UCD and CSUS Symphonies. He has served as musical director for more than a dozen theatrical programs ranging from La bohéme, Magic Flute and Hansel und Gretel to Rocky Horror Show and Little Shop of Horrors.

Pete is the founder and driving force of the Vocal & Instrumental Teaching Artist (VITA) Academy, dedicated to bringing music and music education to underserved communities while guiding emerging professional musicians to become effective advocates and educators.

A prize-winning French hornist, Pete came to Sacramento in 1987 to join the horn section of the Sacramento Symphony. He joined the Music in the Mountains Orchestra in 1989 and has performed frequently with the San Francisco Symphony, Opera and Ballet Orchestras and all of the prominent orchestras of the Bay Area and Northern California. For several years he served as principal hornist of the International Orchestra of Italy, performing and recording in Italy’s most prestigious festivals and venues.