Season 38
1989-1990
Musicians
Celebrating the 38th Season: The November 1989 Concert Series
Concert Program Overview
The California Youth Symphony inaugurated its 38th season in the autumn of 1989 under the seasoned leadership of Music Director Lauren Jakey. Marking his 11th year at the podium, Maestro Jakey led an ensemble of approximately 118 gifted musicians, representing over 30 junior and senior high schools from San Francisco to Gilroy. The November concert series, held at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center on November 12th and the Flint Center in Cupertino on November 19th, served as a testament to the orchestra's commitment to performing major symphonic works with professional-grade rigor while maintaining the "joy of playing" that Jakey considers essential to youth music education.
The ambitious program opened with the iconic power of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67. This choice served as a dramatic test of the young musicians' mettle, met head-on with capable execution and daring tempi. Following the intermission, the repertoire shifted toward the virtuosic and the modern, featuring Ravel’s Tzigane, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Elgar’s Cockaigne (In London Town) Concert Overture. The selection of works highlighted the orchestra's versatility, moving seamlessly from the structured intensity of German Romanticism to the syncopated, jazzy rhythms of early 20th-century masterworks.
Featured Soloists
David Fuller, Violin
A 17-year-old junior at Leigh High School in San Jose, David Fuller made his debut as a violin soloist with CYS performing Ravel’s notoriously difficult Tzigane. David’s journey with music began at age 3, inspired by the church organist’s hymns. A veteran of CYS international tours to Mexico (1983) and Scandinavia (1985), David’s performance was noted for its "command of technique," specifically his execution of jete bowing and complex left-hand pizzicato.
Justina Lee, Piano
16 years old Justina Lee joined the orchestra for a rendition of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Her performance was praised by critics for its "fervor and style," noting a secure attack and a masterful navigation of the work's many solo sections.
In the Media
"You don't choose music. It chooses you." — Lauren Jakey, quoting Aaron Copland in the San Jose Mercury News, Oct 11, 1989.
Local media coverage reflected the high standing of the CYS within the Bay Area cultural landscape. Press reports emphasized the "harmony" between the conductor and his charges, noting that the ensemble responded heroically to the challenges of the repertoire. While critics noted the technical hurdles inherent in such a demanding program, the consensus was one of triumph, with the closing Allegro of the Beethoven symphony described as "quite moving," as every performer played their heart out. This concert series not only celebrated the technical achievements of the students but also reaffirmed the symphony's vital role in preparing the next generation of musicians through a well-functioning and inspirational training program.
March 1989 Concert
Concert Program Overview
The California Youth Symphony continued its triumphant 38th season in March 1990 with a "Second Concert" series that pushed the ensemble's technical boundaries. Under the steady baton of Dr. Lauren Jakey, the orchestra—comprising 118 dedicated young musicians from 32 different Bay Area schools—presented a sophisticated program that balanced the structural elegance of the Classical era with the intense, emotive power of 20th-century Soviet composition. The performances took place on March 18th at the Flint Center in Cupertino and on March 25th at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, drawing large audiences from the communities between San Francisco and Gilroy.
The musical program was anchored by two monumental symphonic works: Haydn’s Symphony No. 98 in B-flat Major and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, Op. 47. The Haydn symphony offered a showcase for the orchestra's precision and grace, while the Shostakovich provided a dramatic, high-stakes finale that allowed the brass and percussion sections to shine. Critics and local bulletins, including the Enquirer-Bulletin and the Palo Alto Weekly, praised the group's "impressive reputation" for tackling such complex classics with enthusiasm and professional competence.
Featured Soloist: Annie Chang (Viola)
A primary highlight of the March series was the appearance of 19-year-old violist Annie Chang as the featured soloist. Chang, then a freshman at the prestigious Peabody Institute, delivered a masterful performance of William Walton’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra. A true multi-talent, Chang had recently made her debut as a piano soloist with the San Francisco Symphony under Herbert Blomstedt. Her collaboration with CYS was described by fellow musicians as an "inspiration," particularly as the orchestra prepared for a subsequent international tour to England and France, which included performances at the Barbican Center in London and the Sully Sur Loire Music Festival.
In the Media
The local community took immense pride in the individual stories of the musicians that made these concerts possible. Press coverage from the San Jose Mercury News and Los Altos Town Crier highlighted several section leaders, such as Gunn High School senior Eric Kimn (viola) and bassoon co-leaders Sara Schoenbeck and Leslie Carr. These profiles revealed the diverse interests of the ensemble, from student-athletes to those planning careers in engineering, all united by Dr. Jakey’s high expectations. As freshman Jean Hsieh noted in a local interview, the commitment required for CYS was "more time-consuming than expected, but it is worth it," a sentiment echoed in the vibrant energy of the March 1990 performances.
Season Finale: May 1990 Concert
Concert Program Overview
The California Youth Symphony concluded its remarkable 38th season in May 1990 with a vibrant "Third Concert" series that served as both a season finale and a final showcase before the orchestra's departure for their European Concert Tour. Under the direction of Dr. Lauren Jakey, the ensemble performed on May 20th at the Flint Center in Cupertino and on May 27th at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. This concert series was particularly poignant as it marked the final CYS performances for several graduating seniors, including section leaders from Los Altos and Los Altos Hills such as Leslie Carr, Peter Chen, Eric Kimn, Sara Schoenbeck, and Esther Shao.
The program was an eclectic mix of dramatic overtures and virtuosic concertos. The evening began with the spirited Overture to "School for Scandal" by Samuel Barber, followed by two concerto movements featuring the orchestra's own standout members. The second half of the program was dedicated to the lush, romantic textures of César Franck’s Symphony in D Minor. Beyond the concert hall, the month was filled with community spirit, highlighted by the "Chocolate Suites" event on April 21st at San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square. This "Day of Music" featured six hours of orchestral performances and a raffle to benefit the upcoming tour to England and France, truly bringing the "different rhythm" of the youth symphony to the heart of the city.
Featured Soloists
The May concerts placed a special spotlight on two exceptional young woodwind players. Mark Arritola took center stage to perform the "Rondo: Allegro" from Mozart’s Concerto in A Major for Clarinet and Orchestra, K. 622, earning praise in the Peninsula Times Tribune for his solo turn. Joining him as a featured soloist was 17-year-old flutist Lisa Choi, a senior at Cupertino High School. Choi performed the "Andante" and "Allegro" movements of Ibert’s Flute Concerto. Her preparation and artistry were profiled in the Palo Alto Weekly, which celebrated her achievement as one of the two orchestra members selected for this prestigious solo opportunity.
In the Media
Local media, including the Hokubei Mainichi and Los Gatos Weekly, provided extensive coverage of the individual musicians who make up the 118-piece orchestra. Profiles featured students like Karen Uyehara, assistant principal of the flute section and one of nine Nikkei members of the orchestra, as well as Los Gatos residents Rachel Long, Fiona Lin, Caspar Partovi, and Ivan Setziol. These stories highlighted the diverse achievements of our members, from National Merit Scholar finalists to dedicated multi-instrumentalists. As the season drew to a close, these concerts stood as a proud reflection of the hard work and musical excellence that defined the 1989-1990 year.
Summer 1990: A Historic European Concert Tour
The 1989-1990 season culminated in one of the most prestigious chapters in the California Youth Symphony’s history: an invitation to tour England and France. Following a highly successful third-place finish at the International Youth Music Festival in Vienna the previous summer, CYS was invited to perform in the Loire Valley, marking the first time a youth symphony from the United States had been invited to perform at the renowned Sully Sur Loire Music Festival. This milestone tour reaffirmed CYS’s standing as an international award-winning ensemble and a premiere cultural ambassador for the Bay Area.
The tour’s inaugural performance took place on Thursday, June 28, 1990, at The Marlowe in Canterbury, England. Under the direction of Dr. Lauren Jakey, the orchestra showcased a sophisticated repertoire designed to demonstrate the technical range of its 118 young musicians. A major highlight of the tour was the collaboration with guest soloist Yukari Tate, whose virtuosic contributions added a professional brilliance to the "First Concert" of the European series. The tour also featured a landmark performance at the Barbican Centre in London, providing our students with the rare opportunity to play in one of the world's most celebrated acoustic spaces.
Preparation for such a high-stakes journey began long before the departure date. As featured in a multi-page cover story by the Palo Alto Weekly titled "In Perfect Harmony," the orchestra’s success was rooted in the rigorous discipline of summer camp at Loma Mar. Under the redwoods, students like French horn player Ariana Pitchon and violist Dina Glendenning practiced for hours to meet Dr. Jakey’s exacting standards. The media coverage highlighted that while many of these "high-achievers" did not necessarily plan to pursue professional music careers, the discipline and relationships forged during rehearsals and international travel provided a "discipline that few other fields will."
This European tour was not just a series of concerts, but a transformative educational experience funded by dedicated community efforts, such as the "Chocolate Suites" benefit in San Francisco. From the narrow, snaky roads of the San Mateo mountains to the historic concert halls of Europe, the 1990 tour stood as a testament to the orchestra's 37-year legacy of excellence. For the graduating seniors, it was a triumphant final bow, leaving behind a season defined by "perfect harmony" and a reputation for being "astoundingly good" on the global stage.
