Geoffrey Gallegos, a San Francisco native and sixth generation Californian has been a fixture in the San Francisco Bay Area music community for 40 years. Following a year long search, Maestro Gallegos was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the West County Winds in 2015. During his tenure, he has expanded the repertoire and elevated the artistic standards of the WCW exponentially.

From 1985 to 1990, Maestro Gallegos served as Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Chamber Players Orchestra. In 1991 he was appointed Principal Conductor of the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra and continued in that capacity until 2006. In 2003, he was engaged as Assistant Conductor of the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra (N. CA) and served in that position until 2008. It was also in 2003 that Maestro Gallegos made his debut with Golden Gate Opera in San Francisco conducting I Pagliacci and was subsequently invited to assume the position of Music Director and Principal Conductor. During his tenure, which concluded in 2020, he conducted the majority of GGO main-stage productions to critical acclaim. In 2004, Maestro Gallegos was engaged to become Music Director and Conductor of the Kensington (CA) Symphony Orchestra, only the third in the Orchestra’s 45 plus year history, a position he currently holds. In 2021, he was appointed the new Music Director and Conductor of the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra. He has also guest conducted numerous ensembles and opera companies throughout the Bay Area, US and in Europe.

Maestro Gallegos has a deep commitment to music education. In 2001, he was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Golden Gate Philharmonic, an all-city string youth orchestra in San Francisco that offers an integrated program of orchestral and chamber music performance, and music theory. In 2023, he was elevated to the position of Artistic/Executive Director and Principal Conductor. From 2001-2010, Maestro Gallegos participated in the Artist in Residence program at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (S.O.T.A.) in San Francisco where he served as guest conductor of the orchestra and wind ensembles. During the 2000-2001 academic year, he served as Conductor of the San Francisco State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble. From 2007-2010, Maestro Gallegos was the Instrumental Music Director and Liaison at The Nueva School in Hillsborough where, among many duties, he oversaw the prestigious Menuhin/Dowling instrumental music program and organized and managed the Menuhin/Dowling Competition for Young Musicians. Maestro Gallegos has served as an adjudicator for a number of youth competitions, master-classes, and workshops throughout the Bay Area, and was invited to participate as a jury member for the annual Parade of Orchestras Festival held in Honolulu in 2014.

Maestro Gallegos studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Preparatory School and San Francisco State University, completing, with honors, a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Education and Conducting. Advanced studies in orchestral and operatic conducting continued at the University of Iowa School of Music, where he received a Master of Arts degree with High Distinction and served as Conductor of the University Chamber Orchestra. Four times he was awarded fellowships to the prestigious Conductors Institute held at West Virginia University and the University of South Carolina. 2023 culminated an 18 year tenure as a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Music Center in San Francisco where he began his music journey with trumpet studies at the age of nine. Maestro Gallegos resides in San Francisco with his cat Rajah.

For more than sixty years, with over 72,000 hours conducting wind ensembles, bands, and orchestras, Ray has dedicated his life to music education, conducting, and developing innovative programs that inspire musicians of all ages. His passion lies in fostering talent, sharing the joy of music across generations, and producing memorable performances that connect with audiences. Whether working with wind ensembles, bands, or orchestras, Ray has always aimed to explore fresh repertoire as well as timeless classics, blending tradition and innovation on every stage.

One of his career highlights was founding and conducting Winds Across the Bay (WATB) for 20 years, a premier wind ensemble program for advanced high school musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. His conducting work also includes four years as conductor of the CSULA Wind Ensemble (California State University Los Angeles), helping collegiate musicians reach new artistic heights and five years directing the Centennial High School Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz & Marching Bands, and Orchestra in Pueblo, Colorado, nurturing young talent and building dynamic ensembles across a variety of genres. In the adult music arena, he conducted Bank of America Singers for 5 years, entertaining and fostering goodwill on behalf of Bank of America. He has been for 5 years and is currently Conductor of the Hilltop Community Choir, including leading the annual community favorite, Singing Christmas Tree. Now bringing things full circle, having been a founding member of West County Winds adult wind ensemble 40 years ago as a performer, it is an honor to serve as Assistant Conductor of West County Winds.  

Ray believes that music transcends boundaries, connecting people across generations and cultures. His life mission has always been to create engaging, educational, and enjoyable musical experiences while nurturing the unique talents and ambitions of every musician he is privileged to guide.

Ray holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Southern Colorado, and an a Master of Arts in Music Education and Conducting from California State University Los Angeles.

Board members

Section Leaders

Music Director
Geoffrey Gallegos

President
Cherry Normington

Vice President
Ray Iniguez

Librarian
Suz Houghton

Logistics Coordinator
Sean Dongre

Publicity
Coordinator
Bob Bauer

Secretary
Ellen DeCarlo

Treasurer
Pat Schlesinger

Webmaster
Michele Friedman

Flute
Ellen DeCarlo

Clarinet
Cherry Normington

Oboe
Anthony Perry

Bassoon
Richard Hodges

Saxophone
Pat Schlesinger

Trumpet
Chris Riley

French Horn
Paul Allen

Trombone
David Hemphill

Low Brass
Suz Houghton

Percussion
Bea O’Keefe