Skip to main content

Spring Festival 2025: String and Wind Ensembles

The California Youth Symphony is thrilled to present our highly anticipated March Festival Concert series, featuring two exceptional performances on March 9th! Join us at 1:00 PM to experience the Virtuosi Strings, led by Maestra Kati Kyme, performing works by Bach, Haydn, and Holst, and the Intermezzi Strings featuring works by Fauré, Mendelssohn, and Mozart. Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) composed his music for Pélleas et Mélisande for the London production of Maurice Maeterlinck's play of the same name in 1898. The Sicilienne, although in the traditionally sad key of G minor, represents "the one moment of happiness shared by Pelléas and Mélisande". Gustav Holst’s St. Paul's Suite is named after St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith, London, where Gustav Holst served as "music master" from 1905 to 1934. Grateful for the school's support, including the construction of a soundproof studio for him, Holst composed the suite as one of several works dedicated to the students of the school.

Following this, Maestro Anthony Lanzino, our Director of Wind Ensembles, will conduct the Wind Ensemble in pieces by Dorn, Swearingen, and Ticheli as well as the Chamber Winds in a performance of music by Balmages, Sheldon, and J.S. Bach. James Swearingen’s An American Portrait is a wonderfully fresh arrangement based on folk-like melodies wrapped in the unique writing style of the composer, while Frank Ticheli’s Cajun Folk Songs is a colorful work in the rich Cajun folksong tradition, complete with varied instrumental textures, exciting percussion sonorities, and fascinating contrapuntal writing. Henry Dorn is a nationally recognized music composer/conductor renowned for his energizing rhythm, syntax versatility, and passion for creating storytelling sounds with larger-picture meanings. Dorn’s compositions encompass intimate narratives often told from the lens of being a musician and African American.  Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to enjoy the outstanding talent of our ensembles!


Concert Highlights

Intermezzi Strings - Kati Kyme, Director
Bach: Allegro Moderato from Brandenburg Concerto no. 1
Haydn: Finale from Quartet op. 64 no. 6
Holst: Jig from St. Paul's Suite

Virtuosi Strings - Kati Kyme, Director
Mozart: Allegro Moderato from Quartet in D minor, K 421
Fauré: Sicilienne
Mendelssohn: Molto allegro vivace from Quartet, op. 44 no. 1

Chamber Winds - Anthony Lanzino, Director
Bach: Three Sarabandes
Sheldon: Mountainview Overture
Balmages: Rhythms and Riffs

Wind Ensemble - Anthony Lanzino, Director
Swearingen: American Portrait
Dorn: Pax Americana
Ticheli: Cajun Folk Songs


Conductor Profiles

Powered by Firespring