Season 24
1974-1975
Roster
Seniors
The Cazadero Camp 1974
CYS held its annual summer camp at Cazadero in 1974. A total of ninety-two students attended, having taken the buses from home for the week-long intensive camp. The camp was noted for having a larger percentage of new members than ever before.
The camp’s objective was clear: the students would sound like an orchestra by the end of the week. The "bit" of music at the camp consisted of 7 hours of rehearsal a day, with sectional and chamber music performed in the evenings. The intensive musical training and rehearsal schedule were under the direction and guidance of conductor Aaron Sten and assistant conductor Richard Peterson.
The coaching staff that year consisted of many orchestra graduates, including Alan Olsen (1st violins), Sharon Cooper (2nd violins), Robert Levine (violas), Steve Olsen (cellos), Ben Robinson (French horns), and others coaching woodwinds (Duane Carroll) and brass (Don Burton).
Outside of rehearsal time, the "old timers" enjoyed days of volleyball, swimming, and dancing. Food included customary hot dogs and hamburgers, supplemented by "unbelievable Chinese cuisine and other remarkable international dishes". The camp was a great experience, fostering a relaxed atmosphere where students could get to know each other outside of rehearsal.
October 1974 Concert
Led by Music Director Aaron Sten, CYS opened its 23rd Season with the First Concert on Sunday, October 27, 1974, at the San Mateo High School Auditorium and Sunday, November 3, 1974, at the De Anza College Flint Auditorium.
The program commenced with the customary "The Star Spangled Banner," as specially arranged for CYS by Mr. Don Burton, followed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's (1840–1893) Symphony No. 5 in E minor, op. 64, featuring the movements Andante - Allegro con anima, Andante Cantabile, con alcuna licenza, Valse: allegro moderato, and Andante Maestoso - allegro vivace.
Following the Intermission, the orchestra performed Cécile Chaminade's (1857–1944) Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, with Julie McKenzie as Flute Soloist. The concert concluded with Howard Hanson's (1896–1981) Dies Natalis, conducted by Richard Peterson, and Eduard Strauss's (1835–1916) Clear Track Polka.
February 1975 Concert
The CYS 23rd Season – Second Concert, conducted by Aaron Sten, was presented on Sunday, February 16, 1975, at 7:00 P.M. at the San Mateo High School Auditorium, with a repeat performance on Sunday, February 23, 1975, at 2:30 P.M. at the De Anza College Flint Auditorium.
The program commenced with the customary "The Star-Spangled Banner," specially arranged for CYS by Mr. Don Burton. The first half of the concert featured Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)'s Egmont Overture, op. 84, followed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)'s Andante Cantabile (from String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, op. 11). Next, the orchestra performed Antonín Leopold Dvořák (1841–1904)'s Serenade in D Minor, op. 44, featuring the movements Moderato, Quasi Marcia and Finale, Allegro Molto. The first half concluded with Franz Liszt (1811–1886)'s Totentanz (Danse Macabre), with David Sigal as the Piano Soloist.
Following the intermission, the orchestra performed Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)'s Suite from the ballet "The Nutcracker," op. 71a, which included the three major sections: Overture Miniature, Danses Caratérítiques (a. March, b. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, c. Russian Dance, d. Arabian Dance, e. Chinese Dance, and f. Dance of the reed pipes (or flutes), and Waltz of the Flowers. The evening concluded with Paul Dukas (1865–1935)'s lively scherzo, L'apprenti Sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice).
April 1975 Concert
The CYS 23rd Season – Third Concert, conducted by Aaron Sten, was performed on Sunday, April 20, 1975, at 7:00 P.M. at the San Mateo High School Auditorium, with a repeat concert on Sunday, April 27, 1975, at 2:30 P.M. at the De Anza College Flint Auditorium. The program opened with the customary "The Star-Spangled Banner," specially arranged for CYS by Mr. Don Burton. This was followed by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)'s Concerto in A Minor, featuring the first movement (Allegro non tanto) and highlighting Greg Maris as the Marimba Soloist.
Next, the orchestra performed Jean Sibelius (1865–1957)'s symphonic poem The Swan of Tuonela, Op. 22, featuring Neil Panton on English Horn. This led into Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921)'s Concerto No. 4 in C Minor, op. 44, with the first movement (Allegro Moderato, Andante Con Moto) performed by Virginia Perry as the Piano Soloist. The first half concluded with Robert Washburn (1928–2013)'s Synthesis for Orchestra, which was conducted by Richard Peterson.
Following the intermission, the program featured Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)'s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op. 92, performed in its entirety across its four movements: Poco sostenuto; Vivace, Allegretto, Presto; Assai meno presto, and Allegro con brio.
