Post on 26-May-2018
ElCaminoYouth Symphony
2017–2018Celebrating Our 55thSeason!
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Fiona Tsang, celloCassandra May, violin
Broadcasting Symphony, the National Opera and Ballet Theater of China, and the ShanghaiSymphony. Dr. Cai is an accomplished authorand scholar and his latest book, Beethoven inChina, co-authored with Sheila Melvin, is now in release from Penguin Books.
Young people are full of curiosity and
if they enjoy the learning process,
they will be happy, work harder,
and perform better. It is also
important to challenge young people and
to raise the bar of their own expectations —
always making sure that we help them to
meet these. Their experience working in the
ECYS should help them to grow as individuals,
become disciplined and responsible,
gain confidence, and build a life-long
relationship with classical music.
Dr. JINDONG CAI
From Berlioz’s sweeping, passionateSymphonie Fantastique, which charts
the artist’s downward spiral suffering from unrequited love and obsession, to Gershwin’s uplifting and jazzy exhibition for piano Rhapsody in Blue,some of the most celebrated works fromorchestral repertoire form the core of our55th Season!
On October 28, Maestro Cai and the Senior Symphony take us on a journeyfrom the lofty heights of love to the lowestdepths of despair with Berlioz at the Season Opener Concert.
Let’s go ”Some-where, Over the Rainbow”and to a galaxy far, faraway! Come in from thecold for an afternoonmovie music matinee. The December 10 Holiday Pops Concertfeatures favorite themes
2 Cover: Emily Kao, cello, Ryan Su, cello, & Hyunwoo Roh, clarinet 3
Welcome to the 55th Seasonof El CaminoYouthSymphony!
Maestro Jindong Cai received his early musical training in China, where he learned toplay the violin and piano. He came to the UnitedStates in 1985 and earned his graduate degreesat the New England Conservatory and the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. In 1989, he was selected to study with famedconductor Leonard Bernstein at the TanglewoodMusic Center, and won the Conducting Fellow-ship Award at the Aspen Music Festival in 1990and 1992.
Jindong Cai joined the Stanford Universityfaculty in 2004 as the first holder of the GretchenB. Kimball Director of Orchestral Studies’ Chairand Associate Professor of Music in Performance.
Currently he is the Artistic Director of theStanford Pan-Asian Music Festival, which hefounded in 2005. In 2016, he was named ArtisticDirector of the National Youth Orchestra of China(NYO-China). He has held positions as assistantconductor with the Cincinnati Symphony and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. He hasconducted in China including the China National
from the silver screen, including Disneyclassics, Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, and 007!
Premiered last year with the Oakland Symphony, ECYS is honored to bethe first youth symphony to perform VanAnh Vo’s Lullaby for a Country at the February10 Lunar New Year Celebration Concertwiththe composer herself as soloist!
Accomplished pianist Taylor Eigsti,an exciting performer and Bay Area son, and Maestro Michael Morgan of the Oakland Symphony join ECYS for the All-American Benefit Concert on April 7!
O fortuna! A collaboration with Masterworks Choraleand Ragazzi Boys Chorusbrings Orff’s epic Carmina Burana, depicting medieval revelry and the pleasuresof life, to the stage for theJune 2 Season Finale!
Dr. JindongCai, MusicDirector&Conductor
Maestro Jindong Cai
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AuditionsEl Camino Youth Symphony is comprised of over 450 young musicians, ages 6–20, from all across the Bay Area. ECYS offers six ensembles: the preparatory orchestras, including Chamber Players, Camerata, Galbraith Honor Strings, and El Camino WindOrchestra where beginning and intermediateplayers hone and develop their skills, to the advanced Sinfonietta and Senior SymphonyOrchestras, where students are challenged by professional level repertoire.
Most applicants for membership areheard in the spring for the new season.However, individual audition appointmentsare made year-round, based upon openingsin the program. Candidates must study witha private teacher and should have at leastone year of lessons to be considered forplacement. Interested musicians are invitedto apply online at ecys.org/auditions.
Ryan Su Sinfonietta Spring Dance
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Membership & Solo Opportunities
Solo CompetitionsEvery year, ECYS holds two solo competitions for highly motivated musicians wishing to challenge themselves through development of talent, character, confidence, and leader-ship skills. The Winners (featured on the pages of this brochure) are chosen to performwith the Senior Symphony, Sinfonietta, orPreparatory Ensembles, as appropriate.
The All-ECYS Competition is for all orchestral instruments, excluding piano, and is open only to current ECYS members.
The Piano Concerto Competition is open to ECYS members and non-members,ages 6–18.
Applications for the 2018 solo competitions are due March 8, 2018.
For more information, visit:ecys.org/solocompetitions
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Jessica Li
Van Anh Vo
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Lunar New YearCelebration Concert! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2018, 7:30 pm
Flint Center at De Anza College21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Senior Symphony, Dr. Jindong Cai, Conductor, and special guest, Van Anh Vo performing her original composition Lullaby for a Country.
Inspired by lullaby tunes from across Vietnam, Lullaby for a Country is comprised of four movements: Love, Yearning, Sorrow, and New Dawn. It evokes the common themes of providing comfort and encouragement to children and longing for loved ones.
Taigu is the Chinese pronunciation of the Japanese Taiko (fat drum). The Rhyme of Taigu is a lively and powerful work; the strings and brass are an extension of the percussion section, pulsating with the pounding of the drums.
The spectacular East meets West program also features the Sinfonietta Orchestra, John Eells Conductor, and young artistsZhouran (Simon) Tao and Jessica Li.
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”),Mvt. I, Zhouran (Simon) Tao, soloist
GrIEG Piano Concerto in A minor, Mvt. I, Jessica Li, soloist
VAN ANH VO Lullaby for a CountryZHOU LONG The Rhyme of Taigu
Tickets: $25/15 available at Ticketmaster.com (Service fees may apply)
Zhouran (Simon) Tao
Taylor Eigsti
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A Celebration of American ComposersAnnual Benefit ConcertDr. Jindong Cai, Conductor
Icons in the arena of popular composition, Gershwin, Bernstein,
and Copland brought the American experience to life through their vibrantand unforgettable music. George Gershwin’s jazzy and exuberant Rhapsody, has become one of the most recognized and beloved American concert works of all time.Leonard Bernstein’s update to the Bard’s Romeo and Juliet places the star-crossed lovers in New York City where rival gangs rumble on the West Side. And Aaron Copland’s patriotic masterpiece, honoring the sixteenth President, weaves traditional folk tunes with original material to paint a hopeful Portrait of the “magnificent spirit of our country.”
Joining the Symphony for Rhapsody in Blue is Bay Area native and award-winning pianist Taylor Eigsti. Mr. Eigsti has performed with some of the mostcelebrated names in jazz.
Performing the role of Narrator for Lincoln Portrait isMaestro MichaelMorgan, Conductor of the Oakland Symphony.
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SATURDAY, April 7, 2018, 7:30 pmFlint Centerat De Anza College21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
GErSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue, Taylor Eigsti, piano
BErNSTEIN “Symphonic Dances” from West Side Story
COPLAND Lincoln Portrait, Michael Morgan, narrator
ECYS will also debut a commissioned work by composer MArK VOLKErTto mark this special occasion.
Tickets: $38/28 available at Ticketmaster.com (Service fees may apply)
Michael Morgan
Senior Symphony
Dr. Jindong Cai,Music Director &
Conductor
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SEASON OPENER CONCERTSATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017, 7:30 pmFlint Center at De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, CupertinoDVORAK Carnival OverturePROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 1, Kameron Duncan, soloistBERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique
HOLIDAY POPS CONCERTSUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2017, 2:30 pmCalifornia Theatre, 345 South First Street, San JoseA “movie matinee” highlighting beloved themes from the silver screen!Featuring Young Artists Cassandra May, violin & Fiona Tsang, cello. Please visit ecys.org for the complete program.
BAY AREA YOUTH ORCHESTRA FESTIVALSUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2018, 3:00 pmDavies Symphony Hall, San FranciscoYouth orchestras from around the Bay Area convene at Davies Symphony Hall for an afternoon of music-making! Tickets available at sfsymphony.org to benefit homeless youth.
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION CONCERTSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2018, 7:30 pmFlint Center at De Anza CollegeTickets: $25/15. For complete details, see pages 6 – 7!
ANNUAL BENEFIT CONCERTSATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2018, 7:30 pmFlint Center at De Anza College
Celebrating American Composers!Featuring Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti& Oakland Symphony Conductor Michael Morgan. Tickets: $38/28. For complete details, see pages 8– 9!
SEASON FINALE CONCERTSATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2018, 7:00 pmFlint Center at De Anza CollegeELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor, Mvts. I & II, Emily Kao, soloistMOZART Flute Concerto in G major, Mvt. I, Anwesha Mukherji, soloistSMETANA The MoldauORFF Carmina Burana, Ragazzi Boys Chorus& Masterworks Chorale
All Flint Center tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com (Service fees may apply). All ticketsare $15/8 with the exception of the Lunar New Year, Annual Benefit, and Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival concerts. Check ecys.org for special free ticket offers
Anwesha Mukherji Symphony
Season FinaleConcert
Kameron Duncan
Fiona Tsang
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Central Europe Tour 2017
In the Summer of 2017, the Senior Symphony toured
and performed in the most prestigious and celebrated
halls of Central Europe! The enchanting program
included Rachmaninoff’s romantic Symphonic Dances,
Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, and the soaring
Tchaikovsky Violin Concertowith San Francisco Symphony
violinist David Chernyavsky. Armed with an arsenal
of rousing encore pieces, the orchestra received standing
ovations in every venue, from Smetana Hall in Prague,
Slovak Radio Hall in Bratislava, Béla Bartók National
Concert Hall in Budapest, and the incredible Golden Hall
at the Musikverein in Vienna.
The Symphony at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, Vienna, Austria
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Hyunwoo RohSinfonietta March Festival
Sinfonietta OrchestraJohn Eells, Conductor
FALL CLASSIC CONCERTSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017, 7:30 pmMenlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center555 Middlefield Rd, Atherton
BEETHOVEN Overture to Consecration of the HouseCOPLAND Music from Our TownHAYDN Symphony No. 104 (“London Symphony”)SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor, Mvt. I,
Joey Zhu, soloist
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION CONCERTSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2018, 7:30 pmFlint Center at De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, CupertinoTickets: $25/15. For complete details, see pages 6 – 7!
MARCH FESTIVAL CONCERTSATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018, 7:30 pmSmithwick Theatre at Foothill College12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos HillsMENDELSSOHN Hebrides Overture (“Fingal’s Cave”)VAUGHAN WILLIAMS English Folk Song SuiteWEBER Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Mvt. I,
Hyunwoo Roh, soloistCHOPIN Grande Polonaise Brilliante,
Vivian Wang, soloistDELIBES “Waltz” and “Czardas” from CoppeliaTCHAIKOVSKY “Waltz” from Sleeping Beauty
SPRING DANCE CONCERTSATURDAY, MAY 12, 2018, 7:30 pmVisual and Performing Arts Center at De Anza College21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, CupertinoWEBER Overture to OberonMENDELSSOHN War March of PriestsELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor, Mvt. IV,
Ryan Su, soloistSCHUBERT Symphony No. 6
All tickets are $15/8 with the exception of the Lunar New Year Concert.
John Eells, Conductor of the Sinfonietta Orchestra, received
his undergraduate degree from YorkUniversity in England and completed
his graduate work in conducting at theroyal Academy of Music in London. He
also achieved a Graduate Diploma in French Horn. Mr. Eells was
the founding Music Director of the Farmington Valley Symphony
Orchestra (FVSO), which he directedfrom 1981 until 2013, and the rhode
Island Philharmonic Community Orchestra, which he led from 2006–
2013. In 2006 the FVSO celebrated its25th anniversary with a performance
at Carnegie Hall. In 2003, 2011 and2017 he was selected to conduct the
New England High School Festival Orchestra and he was a frequent guest
conductor with the Hartford (CT) Symphony
Orchestra. He alsoserved as Music
Director to threeopera companies
in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Vivian Wang
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Preparatory Orchestras
Galbraith Honor Strings
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Galbraith HonorStrings, Conducted by Mariya Borozina
Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras,Conducted by Dr.Michail Gelfandbein
El Camino WindOrchestra, Conducted by Dr. Richard Roper
Dr. Michail Gelfandbeinreceived his PhD at theLeningrad Conservatory ofMusic under M. Rostropovich,with post-graduate study in conducting with I. Musin,and served as Principal Cellist of the Leningrad Philharmonic for 25 years.
Mariya Borozinagraduated from The GnessinsSchool of Music in Moscow, Russia. She went on to complete a violin performancedegree at the Moscow Conser-vatory, and a postgraduate de-gree at the Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Borozina playsfirst violin at the San FranciscoOpera and San Francisco Ballet orchestras.
Dr. Richard Roperholds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Yale School of Music, and the University of Maryland.Committed to arts education, Dr. Roper serves on the faculties at Santa Clara University, UC Santa Cruz, and College of SanMateo. He also directs the BrassEnsemble and teaches trumpet at the San Francisco Conserva-tory of Music Pre-College department.
FALL CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2017Heritage Theatre,1 W. Campbell Ave, Campbell1:00 pm Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras2:45 pm El Camino Wind Orchestra & Galbraith Honor Strings Featuring young artist Ashley Huang, piano
WINTER CONCERT SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018, 5:30 pmPalo Alto JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo AltoChamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, El Camino Wind Orchestra & Galbraith Honor StringsFeaturing young artist Claire Yuh, piano
TALENT “A LA MODE” ICE CREAM SOCIAL CONCERT!SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018, 5:30 pmPalo Alto JCCChamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, El Camino Wind Orchestra & Galbraith Honor StringsFeaturing young artist Momoka Yanagisawa, violin
Tickets Dec. & Mar: $15/8; May $15/no passes For expanded conductor bios please see ecys.org
Summer Music & Endangered Instruments
Emily KaoSymphony Season Finale Concert
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Summer Music Conservatory July 16–27, 2018, Weekdays Only
For musicians ages 6–14!
Beginning Orchestra: A class for young musicians with at least one year of privatelessons and limited orchestra experience, a great introduction to orchestral playingand following a conductor.
Intermediate Chamber Orchestra:Intermediate-level chamber ensemble for musicians with two to three years of lessons. Composed of string players: violin,viola, cello, and double bass, repertoire includes works by Mozart, Bach, Haydn.
Chamber Winds: Intermediate to advanced small ensemble repertoire for flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and Frenchhorn. Other instruments may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact theECYS Office before applying.
A placement audition is required for the conservatory program. All classes will perform in an evening concert on July 27, 2018, 7:00pm.
Endangered Instruments ProgramThe Endangered Instruments Program (EIP) provides a unique opportunity forstudents to learn less commonly played,but highly sought after, instruments likedouble bass, French horn, and viola.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?Participants must have a minimum of one-year experience on any instrument,must be able to read music, and pass an audition with EIP faculty. Musicians shouldbe ages 8–13, though older students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Groups meet for a Fall and Spring Ses-sion. Learn more or sign up at ecys.org/EIP.
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The Divisa Ensemble, ECYS’s Ensemble-In-residence, serves as facultyfor musicians in the Chamber Music Program. Ensembles are invited to perform in the community, with the ensemble, in masterclasses, andto participate in competitions.
ECYS Chamber Music is open to students of the Senior Symphony, Sinfonietta, ECWO and Galbraith Honor Strings who play: violin, viola,cello, oboe, flute, clarinet, bassoon, or French horn.
Each ensemble is coached weekly from September–January, and closely studies a work of the major repertoire. Interested membersmay apply spring through early fall, through the ECYS website.
On January 26,2018, 7:30pm, ECYS willpresent the Divisa Ensem-ble and ECYS ChamberMusicians in recital at theCommunity School ofMusic and Arts, TateuchiHall, 230 San Antonio Circle, in Mountain View.Admission is free!
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Chamber Music at ECYS
Cassandra MaySymphony Holiday Concert
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Divisa Ensemble: Eugenia Wie, Meave Cox, Sara Styles, Stephanie Ng, and Tomiko Tsai
Invest in Our YouthSince ECYS was established in 1963, more than 10,000 aspiring musicians have been trained, encouraged and inspired by our program. Our members continue to receive outstanding instruc-tion, and experience the thrill of playing in the finest concert halls. We honor the rich cultural heritage of the Bay Area by includingworld music in our programming, and offer our young musicians the rare opportunity to perform alongside some of America’s mostdistinguished artists.
Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible giftto help our young musicians grow, thrive, and reap the benefits ofthe kind of enriching development that music education uniquelyfosters. We especially invite you to support our scholarship fund toensure that no child is ever turned away for financial need.
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Joey ZhuSinfonietta Fall Classic
Concert
2017–18 Board of Directors
All programs subject to change.
El Camino Youth Symphony4055 Fabian Way • Palo Alto, CA 94303(650) 213-7111email: ecys@ecys.org
For more information, please visit the ECYS websitewww.ecys.orgFind ECYS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Major Funders:
Musician Portraits courtesy of:Capture Positive
Photography (capturepositive.com)
All other photos:Lisa AdhikariLori Bingham
Lauren DresbergPetr Dyrc
Debra GardnerKymber Gillen
Jason Lew
Design: N ancy Singer
Supporting Our Mission
The El Camino Youth Symphony Association provides the financial and administrative support necessary to maintain the ECYS music education and performance programs. The Association’s Board of
Directors is composed of parents and interested community members who volunteer their time and effort.
You may donate online or send your donation to:
ANN & GOrDON GETTY FOUNDATION
DAVID & LUCILE PACKArD
FOUNDATION
THE rEINHOLD FOUNDATION
HUrLBUT-JOHNSONFUND
AN ADVISED FUND OFSILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION
BANK OF AMErICA CHArITABLE GIFT
FUND
SCHWAB CHArITABLE
HELEN ZHANG
JENNIFEr & Jr MATTHEWS
VErED & AMIr FAINTUCH
SOFIA UNIVErSITY
THE GrAYBIrD FOUNDATION
FOOTHILL ArTS ALLIANCE