6:00 PM Coda Concert
Wind Ensembles and Wind Symphony

Don’t miss our electrifying season finale on May 17th at 6:00 PM! Maestro Anthony Lanzino leads the CYS Wind Ensembles, joined by Maestro Pete Nowlen and the Wind Symphony for an evening bursting with color, energy, and unforgettable wind repertoire. Maestro Lanzino will conduct the Wind Ensemble in works by Brian Balmages, Yukiko Nishimura, and Pinkzebra. Known by the distinctive name Pinkzebra, this composer is not a traditional band but a modern music creator whose work has reached millions around the world. Writing in a style that blends pop energy with cinematic warmth, Pinkzebra’s music is widely used in films, television, and online media—often in the kinds of uplifting moments that celebrate achievement, teamwork, and inspiration. In recent years, Pinkzebra’s music has also found a special home in schools and youth ensembles, where its memorable melodies and positive spirit resonate strongly with young performers and audiences alike. With music that is both accessible and emotionally engaging, Pinkzebra captures something essential about today’s musical world: a sound that feels familiar, energizing, and deeply human all at once. The Chamber Winds will perform works by Vivaldi, Roth, and Frank Ticheli. 

       The Wind Symphony, under the direction of Maestro Pete Nowlen, will explore the influence of folk music on wind ensemble repertoire, with Jack Loh’s Canton Folk Song Suite and Dwayne Milburn’s Fantasy on American Folk Songs. We are delighted to introduce our Wind Symphony Concerto Solo Competition Winner, Grace Ahn, who will perform the second movement from Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major, completed only 6 weeks before his death in December 1791. It was written for his friend, the clarinetist Anton Stadler, and stands as one of Mozart’s very last completed works—radiant, serene, and seemingly untouched by the urgency of his final weeks. Maestro Nowlen rounds off this scintillating program with John Philip Sousa’s National Game March. Few composers captured the spirit of American life with as much flair as John Philip Sousa, the “March King” whose music still crackles with energy more than a century later. Written in 1925, The National Game is a spirited tribute to America’s pastime: baseball. Though composed late in Sousa’s career, the march radiates the same vitality, wit, and rhythmic brilliance that made his name synonymous with the American band tradition.

From its opening bars, The National Game feels like a sunlit afternoon at the ballpark. Sousa delights in musical imagery—crisp rhythms and bright fanfares suggest the crack of the bat, the buzz of the crowd, and the anticipation of each play. The trio section offers a more relaxed, lyrical melody, as if pausing to take in the sweep of the field before the excitement builds once more. There’s a sense of playful storytelling throughout, as though Sousa is inviting us to relive the sights and sounds of a classic American game.

Composed when Sousa was in his early seventies, the march reflects both his enduring creative spark and his affection for shared cultural traditions. The National Game is more than a celebration of baseball—it’s a celebration of community, leisure, and the uniquely American joy of gathering together. With its infectious energy and nostalgic charm, it remains a delightful reminder of why Sousa’s music continues to resonate today. This will surely be a very special event, so please join us for a brilliant evening of music!

Concert Highlights

Chamber Winds
Vivaldi/arr. Stout: The Four Seasons
Ticheli: Rest
Roth: Quest

Wind Ensemble
Pinkzebra: Fanfare for a New Era
Nishimura: Northern Lights
Balmages: Hope Ahead

Wind Symphony
Milburn: Fantasy on American Folk Songs
W.A. Mozart/Arr. Cho: Adagio from Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K622 - Grace Ahn, clarinet
Loh: Canton Folk Suite
Sousa: The National Game March
 

Wind Symphony Solo Competition Winner

Grace Ahn, clarinet

Wind Symphony Solo Competition

California Youth Symphony's annual SOLO COMPETITION for the Wind Symphony offers its current students a special challenge and an opportunity for public recognition. All students in the Wind Symphony are encouraged to compete.