Season 55

2006-2007

Roster

Seniors

Season 55 Concert Schedule

March 2007 Senior Orchestra Concert

Under the baton of Maestro Leo Eylar, CYS senior orchestra presented a captivating program that explored a wide range of musical emotions in the March 2007 concert. The performance opened with Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, a vivid and powerful tone poem that depicts a dark, unearthly congregation of spirits. The first half continued with a delightful Oboe Concerto, which composer Arthur Benjamin arranged from the melodic piano sonatas of Domenico Cimarosa. Before the intermission, the orchestra performed the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, bringing Leonard Bernstein’s iconic, jazzy Broadway score to the concert hall.

The second half of the program shifted toward deeper reflection with Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor. This work, written after the First World War, is known for its noble yet brooding voice that captures a sense of nostalgia and lost optimism. To conclude the afternoon, the orchestra performed the Suite from Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss. This suite celebrates the humor and romance of 18th-century Vienna, dominated by the charming and famous waltz rhythms that remain a favorite for audiences everywhere.

Featured Soloists

Karl Spiker, Oboe

Karl Spiker, a winner of the 2006 CYS Senior Soloist Competition, was the featured soloist for the Cimarosa Oboe Concerto. A senior at Carlmont High School, Karl serves as the principal oboist for CYS. His musical journey began on the flute, but he discovered his true passion for the oboe and English horn in high school. An incredibly versatile musician, Karl also plays saxophone in a funk band and flute in a classic rock band. Following his graduation, he plans to major in Oboe and English Horn performance at a music conservatory.

Alice Ling, Cello

Seventeen-year-old Alice Ling, the principal cellist of CYS for two years, performed as a winner of the 2007 Senior Soloist Competition. Alice began her cello studies at age nine and has earned numerous awards, including honors from the Palo Alto Philharmonic and the CMEA All-State Orchestra. A senior at Saratoga High School, she is deeply involved in chamber music and previously attended the Music@Menlo festival. Her performance of the Elgar concerto showcased the lyrical and emotional depth of the instrument.

May 2007 Senior Orchestra Concert

CYS concluded its 55th season in May 2007 with a powerful and modern program that pushed the boundaries of orchestral performance. Under the direction of Maestro Leo Eylar, the concert opened with John Adams’ "The Chairman Dances: Foxtrot for Orchestra," a vibrant and rhythmic work that reimagines a scene from the opera Nixon in China. This was followed by the intense and virtuosic Violin Concerto No. 1 by Dmitri Shostakovich, a masterpiece known for its emotional depth and technical challenges.

The second half of the program featured Béla Bartók’s monumental Concerto for Orchestra. This work is unique because it treats various sections of the orchestra as solo instruments, moving from the mysterious and dark atmosphere of the "Introduction" to the playful "Game of the Pairs" and the haunting "Elegy." The concert reached a thrilling conclusion with the "Finale," a magnificent movement filled with energy and complex rhythms. This performance was a fitting end to a successful season, showcasing the incredible skill and growth of our young musicians.

Featured Soloist: Zenas Hsu

CYS was proud to feature violinist Zenas Hsu as the soloist for the Shostakovich concerto. A winner of the 2007 CYS Young Artist Competition, Zenas was a junior at Curtis High School at the time of this performance. He began his musical studies at age six and quickly established himself as a rising talent in the Bay Area. Zenas served as the associate concertmaster of the CYS Senior Orchestra and had won numerous awards, including honors from the Palo Alto Philharmonic and the California Music Educators Association.

Beyond his technical brilliance, Zenas was known for his musical maturity and passion for performance. His interpretation of the Shostakovich concerto demonstrated his ability to handle both the lyrical "Nocturne" and the fiery "Burlesca" with confidence. In addition to his dedication to the violin, Zenas was an active participant in his school's tennis team, reflecting the well-rounded nature of our CYS students. His performance remains a highlight of the 2006-2007 season.