Music Reviews : Gross Leads the Santa Monica Opener

Look into the nooks and crannies of this city’s musical landscape and you’ll find community orchestras, some of them quite good. Sunday night at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium one such ensemble, the Santa Monica Symphony, opened its 1990-91 season under the baton of Allen Robert Gross.

Gross, who leads the Occidental-Caltech Symphony, is one of two conductors left over from last year’s auditions for music director. Presumably his two concerts this season serve as a second-round tryout for the still-vacant position. He proved a genial and attentive podium presence, instilling confidence and energy in his players with smiles and clear-cut gestures.