The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) is proud to announce that the San Bernardino Symphony Association has been awarded its 2026 Community Impact Award and that Symphony board member emeritus Dean McVay has been awarded its 2026 MVP award.
The awards will be formally presented at ACSO’s annual conference, taking place Aug. 6-8 in Santa Rosa.
The Community Impact Award recognizes an ACSO organizational member that demonstrates thoughtful and innovative community impact through programs, partnerships, concerts or initiatives that respond to local needs, expand access, strengthen inclusion and belonging and build meaningful community relationships.
The San Bernardino Symphony Association is being recognized for the transformative impact of its San Bernardino Symphony Youth Orchestras Program, a growing youth music education initiative serving students in grades 6 through 12 across the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley.
The program addresses a critical need for equitable access to high-quality music education in a region where many students face economic barriers and limited opportunities for advanced orchestral training. Through professional-level rehearsals, performance experiences, mentorship from professional musicians and partnerships with local educational institutions, the youth orchestras provide a meaningful pathway for both artistic growth and higher education.
Originally launched in 2021 as a Youth Winds ensemble, the initiative expanded into a full youth symphony in 2024. When enrollment outgrew available rehearsal space, SBSO launched the San Bernardino Symphony Overture Orchestra in 2025 to serve younger middle school musicians. Today, the program serves more than 100 students, creating a comprehensive ladder of musical development that previously did not exist in the region.
The impact extends beyond music instruction. More than 80 percent of participating students come from minority backgrounds and are identified as at-risk due to economic circumstances. The program actively works to remove financial barriers through tuition assistance and meritorious scholarships. Rehearsals and performances at San Bernardino Valley College also help students envision higher education as an attainable future; more than 90 percent of graduating seniors from last year’s program enrolled in or planned to enroll in college.
“This program has exceeded even my own expectations. It is leveling the playing field in a way few arts organizations ever achieve,” said Anthony Parnther, music director and conductor of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra.
ACSO Executive Director Sarah Weber said, “With the Community Impact Award, ACSO seeks to recognize the work that orchestras are doing to serve their communities both inside and outside the concert hall. By combining artistic excellence, equitable access, cultural relevance and long-term educational pathways for young people, the San Bernardino Symphony Association has created a model for how orchestras can strengthen community, expand opportunity, and meaningfully shape the next generation.”
Established in 1996, ACSO’s MVP award honors exemplary individuals and volunteer organizations that contribute meaningfully to the success and sustainability of orchestras and classical music organizations across California and the western United States.
Dean McVay was nominated by Dr. Anne Viricel, SBSO executive director, who highlighted his extraordinary leadership, long-standing service and transformative impact on the Symphony.
“While most orchestras are guided by a board of directors, few can boast a leader as dedicated as Dean McVay,” said Viricel. “Known throughout the community for both his steadfast leadership and joyful presence, Dean remains a beloved figure among patrons, musicians and board members alike. His legacy is reflected not only in the Symphony’s growth and resilience, but in the lasting culture of optimism, excellence, and community stewardship he helped build.”
Since joining the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra board in 2004, Dean McVay has been a driving force for the arts in the Inland Empire. His early work on the marketing committee helped transform the Symphony’s local presence, and his exceptional service across multiple leadership roles earned him the organization’s prestigious Golden Baton Award in 2015. McVay’s leadership continued to grow as he became a board officer and later served as board president from 2017 to 2022. His tenure was marked by several pivotal achievements that strengthened the organization’s artistic vision, financial stability and community impact.
Among his most significant accomplishments was leading the search committee that brought Maestro Anthony Parnther to the San Bernardino Symphony. His role in the two-year international conductor search helped usher in a new artistic era for the organization, resulting in the Symphony’s first-ever sold-out concerts and significant growth in season subscriptions. Even after completing his presidential term, McVay’s service has continued. In recognition of his invaluable contributions, the board unanimously named him an emeritus board member in 2023. He also remains a member of the Continuo Society, including the Symphony in his personal long-term financial planning to help ensure the arts thrive for future generations.
ACSO Executive Director Sarah Weber shared, “During good times and challenging times alike, orchestras rely on volunteers to keep the music playing. Dean exemplifies the deep commitment, vision and generosity that make volunteers indispensable to our field. His long-standing service, advocacy and leadership have made a lasting difference for the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and its community.”
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