Season 30
1981-1982
Roster
Seniors
November 1981 Concert
CYS inaugurated its 30th Anniversary Season in November 1981, under the direction of musical director Dr. Lauren Jakey. The concert series featured two major performances: the first on Sunday, November 15, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, followed by a second on Sunday, November 22, at the De Anza College Flint Auditorium in Cupertino. As was customary for the orchestra's milestone events, radio station KKHI recorded the program for future broadcast.
The program opened with a "clear and clean" rendition of Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 94 in G Major ("Surprise"). Following the Haydn, the spotlight turned to the season's featured soloist, 15-year-old Korean pianist Julie Hahn, who performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15. Music critic Dorothy Nichols praised Hahn’s performance as an "astonishing quality" for a youth ensemble, noting that she played from memory with a "warm tone, elegance of phrase, and never a wrong note". The orchestra was described as setting off the young soloist "like the jewel she was".
After the intermission, the orchestra performed the Symphony No. 2 ("Romantic") by American composer Howard Hanson. This performance was particularly lauded by critics for its "hauntingly melodious" lines and the "incredible" splendor of the brass and horns in massed chords. Nichols observed that the strings remained enthusiastic throughout the piece, resulting in a "stirring experience" for the audience. Despite minor "bumbles" expected of a teenage orchestra, the overall production was hailed for its unity and balanced parts.
March 1982 Concert
CYS continued its 29th Season in March 1981 with a series of ambitious performances led by musical director Dr. Lauren Jakey. The concerts were held on Sunday, March 8, at the San Mateo High School Auditorium and on Sunday, March 15, at the De Anza College Flint Auditorium. Both matinee performances were recorded by radio station KKHI for future broadcast, reflecting the orchestra's high standing in the Bay Area musical community.
The first half of the program demonstrated the ensemble's versatility, beginning with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major ("Jupiter"), K. 551, a cornerstone of the Classical repertoire performed in its entirety from the opening Allegro Vivace to the fugal Molto Allegro finale. This was followed by Richard Strauss’s Serenade for 13 winds, Op. 7, which provided a focused showcase for the orchestra's wind and brass players. The set concluded with a modern rhythmic exploration, "Percussionality" by A. Cirone, highlighting the technical precision of the percussion section.
Following the intermission, the spotlight shifted to featured violinist Tania Nanevicz, who performed Felix Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 64. The performance moved through the work's iconic three movements, from the Allegro, molto appassionato to the light and brilliant Allegro molto vivace finale. The concert reached a grand and dramatic conclusion with Richard Wagner’s Overture to Tannhaeuser, bringing this mid-season series to a powerful close.
30th Anniversary Grand Finale: A Confident Close (May 1982 Concert)
Concert Program Overview
CYS concluded its landmark 30th Anniversary Season with two major performances on May 16, 1982, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and May 23 at the Flint Center in Cupertino. Under the direction of Dr. Lauren Jakey, the orchestra displayed a high level of "confidence and responsiveness," moving energetically through a diverse and demanding program. The concert was recorded by radio station KKHI for future broadcast, marking a celebratory end to three decades of musical excellence.
The repertoire for the finale included:
Couperin-Milhaud: Overture and Allegro: A firm and well-balanced performance noted for its solid string sound and clean entrances.
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor: Featuring the Adagio movement with soloist Susan Nesbet.
Hanson: Serenade for Flute, Harp, and Strings: Featuring soloist Maryly Culley.
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73: The program's centerpiece, which allowed the individual sections and wind players to "show their mettle" and close the season on a strong, positive note.
Featured Soloists
Susan Nesbet (Violin) The 17-year-old Susan Nesbet, a senior at Los Gatos High School and a student of Dr. Lauren Jakey, performed the Adagio from Bruch's Violin Concerto. Critics described her performance as "clear and self-possessed," highlighting her ability to sing the lovely melodies of the piece with a "round, warm tone". Nesbet had previously been recognized for her talent as a winner of the UNICEF Youth Concert in 1981 and 1982.
Maryly Culley (Flute) CYS principal flutist Maryly Culley, also 17, was the featured soloist in Howard Hanson's Serenade. A student of Marie Tamubrino and Mary Urbach, Culley delivered what was described as an "elegant" performance. Assisted by harpist Carla Strauss, Culley "stormed through the piece with ease and facility," demonstrating the technical proficiency that had earned her soloist roles with several other local chamber orchestras.
30th Anniversary Reunion: Three Decades of Musical Excellence (1952–1982)
In June 1982, CYS marked its 30th Anniversary with a landmark reunion that honored its status as the oldest youth orchestra in California and one of the longest-running in the United States. The event brought together over 200 alumni, family members, and supporters from across the globe - some traveling from as far as Honduras and Maryland - to celebrate a shared history of musical excellence.
The celebration featured a unique "one-of-a-kind" concert program directed by two era-defining conductors. Aaron Sten, the legendary founder who led the CYS for its first 27 years, returned from retirement to conduct the alumni in several classical works. He shared the podium with then-current musical director Dr. Lauren Jakey, who opened the performance with a Beethoven overture.
The reunion served as a testament to the CYS’s impact on its members' lives. Distinguished alumni in attendance included Robert Levine (Principal Viola, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra), Sharon Cooper (Peninsula Symphony), and concert promoter Danny Scher. From screening films of the 1963 Japan tour to sharing stories of "CYS families" spanning generations, the 30th Anniversary highlighted the orchestra’s role as both an elite training ground and a lifelong community.
