By Nestor CASTIGLIONE

Conductor Sonia Marie de León de Vega is excited. Not only because the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, the ensemble which she founded and leads, begins its new season in only a matter of days but also because the orchestra will be marking a milestone this Saturday night: It’ll be celebrating its silver anniversary.

It has been a long journey for de León de Vega, who began as a pianist and organist. Venturing onto the conductor’s rostrum, she was one of the few women who were active in that capacity during a period when such a sight was still rare. Eventually, she returned to Los Angeles and founded the orchestra that she has since nurtured and watched grow.

Saturday’s concert, in many respects, speaks to her desire to bring “music to the people.”

“Our [Shay Hall] is a beautiful space,” she said. “It brings our audiences really close up to our musicians. We’re excited about that … because that’s what people want. People want to feel part of something and participate.”

Not just that, but the program also reflects another of de León de Vega’s goals: to advocate for classical music from Latin America. Saturday’s concert sees music by Britten and Tchaikovsky joining the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla.

“It is important for me as a Latina to perform music by Latino composers,” she said. “I love mixing them with other better known composers because I want to show that they’re just as much part of the history as anyone else.”

But along with names like Revueltas, Piazzolla, and Chavez stand the cornerstones of the classical canon such as Beethoven and Brahms. For de León de Vega, her intent isn’t just to shine a light on works that deserve wider renown. It’s also introducing this great fount of music to an audience that may have never heard even the warhorses.

“For most of our audience a Brahms symphony could be brand new. And they love it. It’s powerful. This music is powerful and beautiful. I’m excited just talking about it.”

The Santa Cecilia Orchestra’s opening concert of the season will take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Shay Hall of the Santa Cecilia Arts and Learning Center (2751 W. Broadway, Eagle Rock) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $24. For more information, visit the orchestra’s website at www.scorchestra.org or call (323) 259-3011.

  Nestor CASTIGLIONE