Season 47
1998-1999
Roster
Seniors
Summer 1998 Redwood Camp
The Grand Opening of Season 47: A Tapestry of Musical Mastery (November 1998 Concert)
Concert Program Overview
In November 1998, the California Youth Symphony ignited its 47th Season with a series of performances that transcended the expectations of a youth orchestra. Under the visionary baton of Music Director Leo Eylar, the ensemble took to the prestigious stages of the Flint Center and the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, delivering a program of remarkable emotional depth and technical rigor.
The concert opened with the vibrant energy of Ben Glovinsky’s Jubileo, followed by the hauntingly beautiful movements of Khachaturian’s Masquerade Suite. The afternoon reached its intellectual and spiritual peak with Hindemith’s monumental Mathis der Maler, a choice that showcased the orchestra’s ability to navigate the complex, architectural textures of 20th-century masterworks. This was more than a concert; it was a testament to the "outstanding musicianship" that would soon carry these young musical ambassadors across the globe.
Spotlight on Artistry: The 1998 Featured Soloists
The heartbeat of this opening concert lay in the breathtaking performances of our Young Artist Competition winners, two virtuosos who embodied the spirit and dedication of the CYS family.
Gilbert Hwang, a junior at Los Altos High School and a seasoned principal cellist, graced the stage with Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. Having recently secured first place in the prestigious ASTA State Solo Competition, Gilbert brought a mature, lyrical elegance to the cello, proving that his eight-year journey with CYS had molded him into a performer of national caliber.
Joining him in the spotlight was Matt McCarthy, a senior from Crystal Springs Uplands School, whose interpretation of Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute captivated the audience. For Matt, the performance was a celebration of the "social context" of music—a transition from the solitary practice room to the communal harmony of the symphony. His "piping up" on the flute wasn't just about technical precision; it was about the joy of connection. Together, these young soloists reminded us that at the core of CYS lies a profound commitment to nurturing individual brilliance within the collective strength of the orchestra.
March 1999 Concert: Audacity, Artistry, and the "Pro" Spirit
Concert Program Overview
In March 1999, the California Youth Symphony returned to the stage with a program that would have intimidated many professional ensembles. Performing at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and the Flint Center, the orchestra tackled a repertoire defined by rhythmic complexity and emotional intensity.
The concert opened with the sparkling, deceptive simplicity of Rossini’s Overture to La Gazza ladra, a piece the Los Altos Town Crier noted could serve as a "test piece for judging any orchestra" due to its delicate wind work and bombastic fortes. However, the true "temerity" of the program lay in its finale: Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5. Written in the darkest days of WWII, this dense and melodically evasive work was brought to life by our musicians (aged 12 to 18) with what critics described as "calm professionalism." From the flawless solos of principal flutist Irene Lang to the "outstanding" brass section and the lyrical woodwind work of principal clarinetist Jinsue Choi, the performance solidified CYS’s reputation as the premier youth ensemble on the Peninsula.
Featured Soloist: Carlos Avila (Piano)
The centerpiece of the March concerts was a riveting performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in F# minor, featuring 17-year-old virtuoso Carlos Avila.
As the winner of the 1998 CYS Young Artist Competition (Piano Division), Carlos brought a "fluid, rapid, and crystalline technique" to one of Rachmaninov's most demanding works. While the local press noted his dramatic, romantic flair—likening his stage presence to the grand gestures of Franz Liszt—it was his "excellent lyrical control" in the slower passages that truly showcased his burgeoning artistry. Carlos’s performance was a vivid reminder of the CYS mission: to provide young stars with a professional-grade platform to take risks, command the stage, and refine their unique musical voices.
Season 47 Grand Finale: A Legacy of Innovation and Heart (May 1999 Concert)
In May 1999, the California Youth Symphony closed its 47th Season with a landmark series of performances at the Flint Center and the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Under the masterful guidance of Leo Eylar, the orchestra reached a historic milestone: the World Premiere of Pandora’s Box. Composed by 17-year-old CYS member Mark Seto, this ambitious 12-minute work marked the first time in nearly half a century that the orchestra performed a full symphonic piece written by one of its own musicians. The premiere was met with a standing ovation and a uniquely CYS celebration - the "Melon Tradition" - where the orchestra presented Mark with cantaloupes and honeydews, a quirky, edible alternative to expensive bouquets that remains a cherished memory for the Class of '99.
Virtuosity Beyond the Scores
The finale also served as a showcase for the extraordinary multi-dimensional talents of our graduating seniors. Daniel Lehrbaum, a Gunn High School senior and national robotics award-winner, delivered a stirring, emotive performance of Bloch’s Schelomo: Hebrew Rhapsody. His ability to balance the technical precision of a future UC Berkeley engineer with the soulful depth of a master cellist epitomized the CYS ideal. He was joined by Jinsue Choi, who performed Crusell’s Clarinet Concerto No. 3 entirely from memory with a "calm professionalism" that dazzled local critics, and Kenneth Hsu, who led the lyrical violin solos in Max Reger’s Four Tone Poems.
A Community Bound by Music
Beyond the technical triumphs of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, the concert was a moment of profound reflection. The orchestra dedicated the series to the memory of Melissa Belton, a longtime CYS oboist whose passing in April 1999 left a void in the hearts of her peers. As the final notes faded, musicians and audience members alike shared a moment of silence and tears, a poignant reminder that CYS is more than an orchestra—it is a family. With 41 seniors heading off to prestigious institutions like Yale, UC Berkeley, and the Ivy League, Season 47 concluded not just as a musical success, but as a launchpad for the next generation of global leaders and thinkers.
