Season 62

2013-2014

California Youth Symphony celebrated many "firsts" this season. CYS Percussion Director Artie Storch led the orchestra in the CYS premiere performance of Lou Harrison's A Parade during its Spring Concert series. Adrian Lin, who performed Paul Creston's Marimba Concerto, was the first percussionist to win the Young Artist Competition. CYS was also the first orchestra to perform in the spectacular new San Mateo Performing Arts Center when it opened in October 2013. The new Performing Arts Center took 2 years in the making, at a cost of $26.5 million. It sits on the site of the old theater, built in 1963, which was torn down to make room for the new one. CYS performed at the old center since it first opened and was honored to help inaugurate the new. A recent article in the San Jose Mercury News previewing the new theater described the lobby as “a soaring three-story space with views to the west of the Santa Cruz Mountains” and said “the technical components of the venue are even more impressive, rivaling those of any professional theater in the Bay Area.”

In June and July 2014, the CYS Orchestra visited Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia, presenting 4 concerts to rapturous responses from capacity audiences.

Senior Orchestra Roster

Seniors

Senior Orchestra November 2012 Concert

The California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra embarked on a thrilling new musical journey as it opened its 61st season on November 18, 2012, at the Flint Center. Under the spirited direction of Conductor Leo Eylar, the orchestra presented a brilliant program that seamlessly moved from modern American rhythm to timeless European masterpieces. The afternoon commenced with John Adams’ "Short Ride in a Fast Machine," a joyfully exuberant and minimalist piece that takes the audience on a high-energy, rhythmic ride through a large and colorful display of orchestral sound. The first half continued with Maurice Ravel’s famous "Tzigane," a landmark concert rhapsody that beautifully blends authentic Gypsy flavors with challenging nineteenth-century virtuoso violin techniques.

Following the intermission, the orchestra tackled one of the most magnificent and demanding works in the symphonic repertoire: Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 5. This exclusively instrumental masterpiece takes listeners on an extraordinary interior emotional drama. Divided into five intricate movements, the symphony charts a psychological quest from tragedy to ultimate victory. The audience was captivated by the stark grief of the opening "Funeral March," the chaotic energy of the central "Scherzo," and the lush, gentle romanticism of the famous "Adagietto" strings. The afternoon reached a sweeping, triumphant conclusion with a radiant "Rondo-Finale," marking a successful and inspiring start to the new CYS performance year.

Featured Soloist: Alex Zhou, Violin

The California Youth Symphony was incredibly proud to feature the amazing young violin prodigy Alex Zhou as the soloist for Ravel’s challenging masterpiece, Tzigane. Alex won first prize in the instrumental division of the CYS annual Young Artist Competition. At just ten years old, he made history as the youngest competitor ever to win this prestigious award. Now eleven and in the sixth grade at The King's Academy in Sunnyvale, Alex delivered a performance that demonstrated technical skills and musical maturity far beyond his years.

Currently a student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Zhao Wei, Alex began his violin studies at the age of six with Kwok-Ping Koo. Despite his young age, he has already built an impressive international resume, including first-prize wins at the Junior Menuhin-Dowling Competition, the Pacific Musical Society Competition, and the Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition in Italy. Alex has also performed at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and was featured on National Public Radio’s popular From the Top program. When he is not practicing the violin, Alex enjoys reading and playing tennis.

Senior Orchestra March 2013 Concert

61st Season: March 2013 Concert Overview

The California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra continued its exciting 61st season with two spectacular performances under the baton of Music Director Leo Eylar. Held on March 17, 2013, at the Flint Center and March 24 at Hertz Hall, the concert delivered a wonderful blend of folk-inspired rhythms, romantic poetry, and high-energy theatrical jazz. The program opened with Béla Bartók's Dance Suite, a clever and accessible work that unites different Arabic, Hungarian, and Romanian ethnic traditions into an "idealized peasant music". Through brilliant orchestration, the suite mimics peasant instruments and captures a spirit of cultural brotherhood.

The first half of the concert reached its poetic peak with Ludwig van Beethoven’s magnificent Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, featuring a highly gifted young guest soloist. Known as Beethoven's most lyrical and fantastical concerto, the work tells a vivid musical story through dramatic dialogues between the soloist and the orchestra. Following the intermission, the orchestra brought the concert to a thrilling conclusion with Leonard Bernstein’s iconic Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. This sophisticated score masterfully follows the dramatic romance and rivalry of the Broadway show, moving from the fiery energy of the "Mambo" to a deeply moving and tragic "Finale".

Featured Soloist: Rachel Breen, Piano

CYS was incredibly proud to feature fifteen-year-old pianist Rachel Breen as the soloist for Beethoven's legendary concerto. Rachel earned this prominent spotlight after winning the 2012 California Youth Symphony Young Artist Competition held at Stanford University. A brilliant scholarship student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the guidance of Sharon Mann, Rachel was remarkably self-taught until the age of ten.

Despite her young age, Rachel has established herself as an elite competitive talent, winning first-prize awards at the Mondavi Young Artists' Competition, the United States Open Music Competition, and the Oakland East Bay Symphony Concerto Competition, among many others. Her busy pre-college career also includes performing as a semi-finalist with the Cleveland Orchestra and specializing deeply in the complex music of Bach. A well-rounded scholar, Rachel balances her heavy performance schedule with her studies at Miramonte High School, where she has won top prizes on both National Latin and French exams. Her elegant and mature performance beautifully captured the romantic voice of Beethoven's masterwork, making it a true highlight of our 61st season.

May 2013 Senior Orchestra Concert

61st Season: May 2013 Concert Overview

The California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra brought its remarkable 61st season to a grand conclusion with performances on May 12, 2013, at the Jackson Theatre and May 19 at the Flint Center. Under the masterful direction of Maestro Leo Eylar, the orchestra presented a rich, diverse program that celebrated both brilliant young soloists and legendary orchestral masterpieces.

The afternoon opened with the joyous and energetic spirit of Shostakovich's Festive Overture, a work bursting with fanfare and optimistic brass proclamations. The first half then spotlighted French Impressionism, featuring Maurice Ravel's colorful Introduction and Allegro for Harp alongside Claude Debussy's dreamily lyrical Premiere Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra. To ground the first half in a deeply moving American narrative, the orchestra performed Aaron Copland's patriotic Lincoln Portrait, utilizing a guest narrator to bring the powerful words of Abraham Lincoln to life against a backdrop of traditional popular tunes.

Following the intermission, the concert shifted to intense Romantic passion with the first movement of Henri Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No. 1. This movement is widely known as a formidable "technical monster" in the violin repertoire, demanding immense virtuosity, sweeping double-stops, and high-register harmonics from the soloist.

To bring the entire concert and the 2012-2013 season to a spectacular close, the Senior Orchestra performed Modest Mussorgsky's monumental Pictures at an Exhibition, brought to life through Maurice Ravel's world-famous orchestral arrangement. The suite took the audience on an unforgettable musical tour of an art gallery, weaving from the playful, skittering textures of the "Ballet of the Chicks in their Shells" to the massive, tolling bells of the triumphant finale, "The Great Gate of Kiev". It was a magnificent display of precision and artistry that perfectly capped off another successful year for CYS.

Featured Soloists & Guest Artists

Selina Her, Harp

Performing the solo part in Ravel’s beautifully constructed Introduction and Allegro was Selina Her, who has served as the principal harpist of the CYS Orchestra for five years. A student at Cupertino High School, Selina has shared her musical talents widely across the region, performing with the El Camino Youth Symphony, the Nova Vista Symphony, and several Stanford ensembles. Rather than focusing on competitions, Selina’s musical philosophy centers on using her music to touch and improve her community. She regularly volunteers her time to perform at local venues like Pathways Hospice and Filoli Gardens. A well-rounded leader, she also served as the president of her school's Music Club and will choose between Princeton, Stanford, and Yale for college.

Eric Xu, Clarinet

Claude Debussy’s charming and sophisticated Premiere Rhapsody was performed by CYS Principal Clarinetist Eric Xu. A senior at Lynbrook High School, Eric began playing the clarinet in the sixth grade and currently studies with Michael Corner. Over his four years with CYS, Eric has built an exceptional musical resume, including a five-year membership in the California All-State Honor Band and six Command Performance awards at CMEA festivals. He also shares his passion for music by performing at local retirement homes. Beyond the concert hall, Eric is a true leader, serving as the Bay Section President for the Future Business Leaders of America, captain of his school chess team, an Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalist, and a National Merit Finalist. He will be attending Princeton University in the fall.

Brian Kim, Violin

CYS Assistant Concertmaster Brian Kim took on the immense technical challenges of Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 1. A senior at Saratoga High School, Brian began his violin journey at the young age of three with John Kraus and currently studies under the guidance of Li Lin. He has been a dedicated member of CYS for nine years, including six years with the Senior Orchestra. Brian has performed with numerous elite ensembles, including the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and the California All-State Orchestra. Alongside his musical achievements, Brian is a varsity basketball player and a two-time qualifier for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination. A National Merit Finalist and Scholar-Athlete, he plans to study economics and math at UC Berkeley or Amherst College.

Bryan Dyer, Guest Narrator

Bringing the powerful narration of Copland’s Lincoln Portrait to life was guest artist Bryan Dyer. Bryan is a highly versatile Bay Area musician who sings, teaches, and plays multiple instruments, including bass guitar, piano, and percussion. A veteran of top regional vocal groups such as SoVoSo and Street Sounds, his musical career has taken him on international tours across Europe, Japan, and Jamaica. Over the years, Bryan's exceptional talents have allowed him to perform alongside legendary artists such as Al Green, Bobby McFerrin, and Huey Lewis and The News, adding a profound sense of drama and history to the afternoon's performance.

String & Wind Ensembles

For the first time, California Youth Symphony's top String and Wind Ensembles joined our Associate Orchestra on its March 9, 2014 concert at Foothill College. 

Our Community Service Concerts, in which ensembles from our preparatory program travel to senior citizen facilities and community centers to present concerts for the residents, continued to expand. The ensembles also entertained shoppers at Stanford Shopping Center in the winter. 

String Ensemble Roster

Wind Ensemble Roster

Wind Ensemble Season Finale Concert

String Ensemble Season Finale Concert