NADJA SALERNO-SONNENBERG, passionate solo violinist of international repute, chewer of the fat with Big Bird of "Sesame Street," subject of an Academy Award-nominated documentary on her musical life and occasional traveler on the talk-show circuit, was a surprisingly high-profile choice back in January as new music director of San Francisco's New Century Chamber Orchestra.

After all, the Grammy-nominated ensemble has long prided itself on collaborative rather than follow-the-leader music-making, presenting itself in concert without benefit of a conductor.

Salerno-Sonnenberg, 47, is now in charge of shaping the group's musical direction, choosing programs and, as concertmaster, guiding rehearsals and setting the pace with her bowing. And the 2008-09 concert season she and the orchestra have just announced clearly telegraphs an intent to leave her mark.

For the first of her contracted three seasons, the New York-based violinist will roll out two commissioned world premieres under the rubric of a new Featured Composer program, this year highlighting the works of Brazil's 30-year-old classical and jazz composer-pianist-vocalist Clarice Assad. She will also take center stage for two of NCCO's four programs, soloing on Astor Piazzolla's "Four Seasons of Buenos Aires" and a Ginastera work in their first concert, and performing the premiere of Assad's "Dreamscape" in their last.

And during her first week here,

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Salerno-Sonnenberg will take the entire 17-member musical entourage to George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch in Marin to record the Piazzolla piece on her own label, NSS Music, which she founded in 2005.

There will also be a determined drive toward audience-building in the new season. NCCO, which presents each of its four annual programs in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Berkeley and Marin, will offer half-price tickets to anyone under the age of 30. "We feel strongly that once people come and hear this orchestra, they'll be energized, and they'll want to come back and share the experience with family and friends," Salerno-Sonnenberg said in a statement.

The 2008-09 concert season opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 in Berkeley's First Congregational Church with the world premiere of Assad's suite for chamber orchestra, "Impressions"; Ginastera's "Glosses on Themes by Pablo Casals"; Piazzolla's "Four Seasons of Buenos Aires"; and Villa-Lobos' "Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5." The program repeats 8 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, 5 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael, and 8 p.m. Sept. 16 at First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto.

The remainder of the season is as follows:

  • 8 p.m. Dec. 11: St. John's Presbyterian Church, Berkeley. Soprano Melody Moore and Schola Cantorum San Francisco. Handel's "Solomon" Overture and "Entrance of the Queen of Sheba," Bach's Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 2 and 5 and holiday songs and carols. Repeats Dec. 12 in Palo Alto, Dec. 13 in San Francisco and Dec. 14 in San Rafael.

  • 8 p.m. March 5: Herbst Theatre, S.F. Pianist Anne-Marie McDermott. Prokofiev's "Visions Fugitives," Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor and Tchaikovsky's "Souvenir de Florence." Repeats March 6 in Berkeley, March 7 in Palo Alto and March 8 in San Rafael.

  • 8 p.m. May 14: First Congregational Church, Berkeley. Salerno-Sonnenberg solos for the premiere of Assad's "Dreamscape." Also on the program: Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," Bernard Herrmann's "Psycho Suite," Borodin's "Nocturne" and Strauss' "Die Fledermaus Suite." Repeats May 15 in Palo Alto, May 17 in San Rafael and May 19 in San Francisco.

    Season subscriptions, at $112-$184 ($56 for those under 30), are available at 415-357-1111 or www.ncco.org. Single tickets at $32-$54 ($16 for those under 30) will be available Aug. 15 at those outlets and at 415-392-4400 and www.cityboxoffice.com.

    AWARDED AT THE OPERA: Clifford Cranna, better known to friends and peers as Kip, who entered his 30th year of service at San Francisco Opera last week, has been named director of music administration, with responsibilities for the management of the orchestra and chorus, scheduling and new opera commissions.

    An equally luscious plum landed in his lap when general director David Gockley announced that Cranna, 61, will receive the San Francisco Opera Medal, the highest honor the company bestows on artistic personnel, on June 20. Cranna joins a long list of stellar recipients, including Leontyne Price, Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne, Placido Domingo, and, in 1997, the East Bay's own celebrated mezzo-soprano, Frederica von Stade. Scheduled to receive the medal on July 6, in observance of her 25th S.F. Opera anniversary, is soprano and former Adler Fellow Ruth Ann Swenson, who will be here starring in Handel's "Ariodante."

    Tuned In appears every other Friday in TimeOut Weekend. Reach Sue Gilmore at sgilmore@bayareanewsgroup.com or 925-977-8482.