Tahoe Philharmonic
At the Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, the heartbeat of the organization is Maestro James Rawie. With a profound love for music and community, he brings together local musicians and singers blended with some dazzling international soloists to create intimate performances that draw audiences into the heart of the music.
Maestro Rawie first founded TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony in 2005, leading it for 19 years and presenting more than 500 performances and activities, establishing a legacy of excellence in classical music. In 2024, he carried that tradition forward by launching the Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
Although the Tahoe Philharmonic itself is young, both Rawie and the musicians have been part of the Reno/Tahoe area’s musical fabric for over 25 years, uniting talented performers and passionate audiences locally and globally.
Recognizing the vision and dedication behind this new endeavor, Kevan and Susan Lesch generously offered a
$150,000 challenge grant to help get the Philharmonic off the ground. With heartfelt support, more than 60 orchestra and chorus members embraced Rawie’s new venture, contributing over half of the $75,000 needed—bringing the total raised to an inspiring $225,000 in just six weeks.
The Orchestra and Chorus thrives on presenting classical music of the highest professional standard. Concertgoers consistently remark on the warmth and accessibility of these performances, where the barrier between stage and audience melts away, enhanced by Rawie’s engaging introductions that weave history and humor into every piece.
Each season, the Philharmonic presents eight concert series—from baroque chamber music and sacred choral masterpieces to classical symphonies, opera highlights, and pops concerts—bringing both beloved masterworks and hidden gems to life across Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Reno and the Carson Valley.
Complementing these performances, the Philharmonic hosts several Soiree Musicale fundraiser house parties each year, offering audiences light opera, musical theater, folk songs, string quartets, and dazzling violin concertos in a personal, welcoming setting.
In April 2026, the Philharmonic will embark on Maestro Rawie's 6th international tour, taking 60 musicians and supporters to Italy and Croatia to perform in breathtaking ancient cities.
James Rawie, Maestro
At Tahoe Philharmonic, the heartbeat of our organization resonates in the talent and vision of our Maestro, James Rawie. With a profound love for music and community, the Maestro not only conducts the philharmonic but also fosters a culture of artistic excellence and collaboration. His vision, determination, and leadership brings together musicians from diverse backgrounds, crafting unforgettable performances that elevate the artistic landscape of Tahoe. In 2005, he founded TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony, which he led until 2024 when he started Tahoe Phil.
The journey of the Maestro is rooted in a lifelong commitment to music and the joy it brings to people's lives. With numerous accolades and years of experience in the philharmonic sphere, the Maestro understands the transformative power of music. At Tahoe Philharmonic, this passion translates into a vibrant community that thrives on creativity, innovation, and the shared experience of live performance.
Bio
TahoePhil Artistic Director and Conductor, James Rawie, founded the Symphonic Chorus of Puerto Rico, Sinfonia-Puerto Rico Chamber Orchestra, and TOCCATA-Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. In 2024, after serving as Artistic Director and Conductor of TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for 19 years, he and wife Nancy founded Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
California born, Rawie's undergraduate years were spent at the University of California, Irvine, where his first academic degree was in Psychobiology in 1969. His musical studies there included: trumpet with Jimmy Sachs, voice with Heyden Blanchard, choral conducting with Dr. Maurice Allard, and orchestral conducting with Dr. Peter Odegard.
He received a Master of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting from the State University of New York, Stonybrook in 1979 as a student of David Lawton and Arthur Weisberg. He prepared Bach's St. Matthew Passion with Dr. Otto Werner Mueller at Yale University-Norfolk.
He studied in Berlin, Germany; at the Aspen Music Festival; and for ten summers with Helmuth Rilling at the Oregon Bach Festival. Maestro Rawie conducted the premieres in Puerto Rico of: Brahms’ Requiem, Mozart's Requiem; Gounod's Missa Solemnis; Dvorák's Mass in D major, Mozart's Mass in C minor, and many of Bach's cantatas. In 1985 he led the first performance in Spanish of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, celebrating the tricentennial of the German master's birth which brought together 300 singers, the largest number ever to perform a major choral work in the history of Puerto Rico.
From the operatic repertory, he has presented most of the Mozart operas and Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors.
He took the Symphonic Chorus on tours to Spain, Catalonia, and Greece. He took TOCCATA on tours: 2015-Tuscany; 2017-Salzburg/Prague; 2019-Slovenia/Budapest; 2022-Toulouse/Barcelona 2024-Greece.
James has been Xterra Triathlon age group champion for the SouthEastern or Western USA divisions for 14 consecutive years, 2017 & 2024 US National Champion, and is an Ironman. He was 2022 Xterra World Champion at Lake Molveno, Italy.
Tahoe Classical Music Season Concerts
Tahoe Philharmonic members have been a pillar of the cultural community of the Reno/Tahoe region for over 25 years, bringing together talented musicians and passionate audiences locally and globally. Our philharmonic orchestra and chorus thrives on maintaining the highest professional standards while embracing the elegance of classical music concerts in Lake Tahoe, Reno, Nevada and the Carson Valley. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of our community to continue our mission.
Concerts for the 2025-2026 year include:
9/11 We Remember in September 2025
Hallelujah! Messiah in December 2025
Go4BRRRoque in January 2026
Every Piece is a Classic in February 2026
St. Matthew's Passion in April 2026
The Classics+ Beethoven June 2026
Red, White and Tahoe Blue in July 2026
Nightz at Tahoe Opera in July 2026
Lineup subject to change.
2026 and Beyond
Tour to Croatia: Trieste/Split/Dubrovnik April 14-26, 2026
Join Tahoe Philharmonic on tour to Croatia. Can't play music or sing? We invite Happy Clappers to join our musicians attending concerts in historic cathedrals, dining at delicious restaurants, touring ancient sites and staying in top notch hotels. For more information click here or call 765-862-2282
