Season 31
1982-1983
Roster
Seniors
CYS Redwood Glen Camp (August 1982)
The 31st Season Premiere: A Celebration of Alumni and Heritage (November 1982)
Concert Program Overview
CYS inaugurated its 31st Concert Season in November 1982 with a distinguished program that celebrated both its enduring heritage and its professional alumni. Under the direction of Dr. Lauren Jakey, the orchestra performed on Sunday, November 14, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and on Sunday, November 21, at the Flint Center in Cupertino. This season was particularly notable as CYS was recognized as the longest-enduring youth symphony in the United States, a testament to its foundational mission established in 1952.
The musical program opened with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93, followed by the featured work of the afternoon, Richard Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major. The concert concluded with the vibrant and folk-inspired Enesco’s First Roumanian Rhapsody.
Featured Soloist
The guest soloist for this series was the highly accomplished CYS alumnus Wendell Rider, who at the time served as the Principal Horn with the San Jose Symphony. A native of San Francisco, Rider had been a member of CYS from 1960 to 1966, serving as principal horn for four years and participating in the orchestra's historic tours to Oregon, Japan, and Mexico. His return to the CYS stage as a seasoned professional—having studied at the Eastman School of Music and held principal positions with the Monterey County Symphony—highlighted the orchestra's success in cultivating elite musical talent. In addition to his performing career, Rider remained deeply involved with the organization as a member of the CYS Board of Directors.
March 1983 Concert
CYS presented its second concert series of the 31st Season in March 1983, under the baton of musical director Dr. Lauren Jakey. The performances were held on Sunday, March 20, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and on Sunday, March 27, at the De Anza College Flint Auditorium. Critic Dorothy Nichols described the series as a "rewarding concert for musicians and audience," noting that both took "something of value home" from the experience.
The program opened with Mozart's Symphony in E-Flat Major, K. 543, followed by the centerpiece of the afternoon, the Boccherini-Gruetzmacher Concerto in B-Flat Major for Violoncello and Orchestra. The guest soloist was 12-year-old Matthew Haimovitz, a "budding virtuoso" who earned high praise for his beautiful tone, similar to that of his teacher Gabor Rejto. Nichols noted that Haimovitz played with temperament and personal feeling, while his technique in the long cadenza was described as "awesome". Jakey was credited with keeping the orchestra in sync with the young soloist during this non-routine and inspiring performance.
The second half of the program shifted toward American masterworks, beginning with Roy Harris's Third Symphony in One Movement. The structure of this piece allowed each section of the orchestra to "stand on its own feet," with a particularly beautiful opening played by the cellos. The concert concluded with Gershwin’s "An American in Paris," a work where the teenage players were noted to be in their element, drawing on jazz and blues influences. This final piece featured a "splendid" solo trumpet performance and a delicately musical passage from the concertmistress.
A Prestigious Return: The 63rd Annual Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service (1983)
On April 3, 1983, CYS achieved a significant milestone by performing at the 63rd Annual Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service. This appearance marked the orchestra's fourth return to the world-famous venue, an invitation extended by the committee due to popular demand and the ensemble's superb musical quality. Under the direction of Dr. Lauren Jakey, the 100-member orchestra, featuring talented musicians ranging in age from 11 to 18, represented the San Francisco Bay Area on one of the nation's most iconic stages.
The CYS played a central role throughout the elaborate program, which combined symphonic masterworks with choral and liturgical elements. The orchestra performed the Prologue with Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major (K. 543) and later provided the Offertory with the powerful fourth movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F Minor. Additionally, the ensemble collaborated with massive choral groups, including the Southern California Mormon Choir and the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, for grand performances of Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus" and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic".
The invitation to the Hollywood Bowl underscored the orchestra's national reputation during its 31st season. At the time, CYS was distinguished as the longest-enduring youth symphony in the United States, having been founded in 1952. This high-profile event not only showcased the technical discipline of the young instrumentalists but also highlighted the leadership of Dr. Jakey, whose extensive academic and professional background - including studies under Ivan Galamian and experience with the Houston Symphony - prepared the orchestra for such a demanding and prestigious public service.
The 31st Season Grand Finale: Technical Mastery and Global Rhythms (May 1983)
Concert Program Overview
CYS concluded its 31st Concert Season in May 1983 with a pair of dynamic performances directed by Dr. Lauren Jakey. The concerts took place on Sunday, May 15, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and on Sunday, May 22, at the De Anza College Flint Auditorium. This series served as a homecoming of sorts, following the orchestra's prestigious invitation to perform at the Hollywood Bowl earlier that spring.
The program featured a sophisticated repertoire that highlighted the diverse talents of the ensemble's percussion and brass sections:
Handel: Overture to "Theodora": The concert opened with this stately Baroque overture.
Vivaldi: Concerto in A minor, RV 497: A rare spotlight for the tuba, featuring soloist John Thomas.
Hovhaness: Fantasy on Japanese Wood Prints, Op. 111: This evocative, modern work featured soloist Martha Leeson on the xylophone.
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor: Following the intermission, the orchestra performed the complete four-movement symphony, culminating in the fiery Finale: Allegro con fuoco.
Featured Soloists
Martha Leeson (Xylophone) A 17-year-old resident of Los Altos, Martha Leeson was the featured xylophone soloist for the Hovhaness piece. At the time of the performance, she had been a member of CYS for five years, serving as timpanist and principal percussionist for the final two. Her extensive resume included studying under Shelley Tosaw and Anthony Cirone, and she was a two-time selectee for the All-State Honor Orchestra and Band. A senior at Monta Vista High School, she planned to attend CSU Northridge to major in Mass Communications.
John Thomas (Tuba) The afternoon’s tuba soloist was 16-year-old John Thomas of Livermore, who had been an active member of CYS for two years playing both tuba and string bass. Thomas brought a wealth of experience from several regional ensembles, including the Livermore Symphony, the Nova Vista Symphony, and the All-State Symphonic Band. Beyond his instrumental performance, he was an aspiring conductor and composer who led the Ecumenical Brass of Livermore. His long-term goals included furthering his studies in music to eventually teach at the college level.
