El Camino

Youth Symphony

Association

4055 Fabian Way

Palo Alto, CA 94303

ElCamino Youth Symphony

2015~2016Celebrating Our 53rd Season

Senior Symphony, Dr. Jindong Cai, Music Director, 2015 Season Finale

Cover: El Camino Youth Symphony, Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Spain

DR. JINDONG CAI, ECYS Music Director and conductor of the SeniorSymphony Orchestra, received his earlymusical training in China, where helearned to play the violin and piano. He came to the United States in 1985 and earned his graduate degrees at theNew England Conservatory and the College-Conservatory ofMusic in Cincinnati. In 1989,he was selected to studywith famed conductorLeonard Bernstein at theTanglewood Music Center,and won the ConductingFellowship Award at theAspen Music Festival in 1990and 1992. Jindong Cai joinedthe Stanford University fac-ulty in 2004 as the first holder

T he visionary Dr. Jindong Cai will lead the Senior Symphony through giant mas-

terworks of Jean Sibelius, Dmitri Shostakovich and Johannes Brahms; internationally renownedsoloists will dazzle; a 2015 work by one of ourgreatest living composers, Tan Dun, will amaze;and the most talented young artists of this genera-tion will grace our stage!

We open the season on November 1 with aSibelius Celebration, featuring Minna Pensola,a stunning Finnish violinist sponsored by aFinlandia Foundation 150 Sibelius Jubilee Grant.

The powerful and mythical Sibelius SymphonyNo. 5 anchors the celebration.

A musical trip to Vienna gives a decidedlyAustrian glow to the December 13 Holiday Concert, as the orchestra waltzes and polkasthrough delightful selections by various membersof the Strauss family with a nod to the very American Leroy Anderson. Don your satin gownsand your red bow ties!

We are honored to perform at DaviesSymphony Hall on January 17 as part of the Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival. We hope

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Welcome to the53rdSeason of

El CaminoYouthSymphony!

Daisy LeeSymphony Season Finale

you will join us for this important concert to ben-efit homeless youth.

The Yellow River Piano Concerto, performed by the exquisite Gwhyneth Chen, a renowned Steinway Artist, highlights the The Lunar New Year Celebration Concerton February 6. We also welcome to that stage the Sinfonietta Orchestra, with Conductor John Eells, in his debut season at ECYS!

We are ecstatic that Van Cliburn GoldMedalist Jon Nakamatsu will headline the Annual Benefit Concert on April 2 to perform

of the Gretchen B. Kimball Director ofOrchestral Studies’ Chair and AssociateProfessor of Music in Performance. Cur-rently he is the Artistic Director of theStanford Pan-Asian Music Festival, whichhe founded in 2005. He has held positionsas assistant conductor with the CincinnatiSymphony and the Cincinnati Chamber

Orchestra. He has conductedin China including the ChinaNational Broadcasting Sym-phony, the National Operaand Ballet Theater of China,and the Shanghai Symphony.Dr. Cai is an accomplishedauthor and scholar and hislatest book, Beethoven inChina, co-authored withSheila Melvin, is now in release from Penguin Books.

the Grieg Piano Concerto! The ShostakovichSymphony No. 5, a work that is much-lovedby the musicians of our orchestra, will completethe gala program.

The radiant and bucolic Brahms SymphonyNo. 2 serves as the Grand Finale of the seasonon June 5. Share our pride as we honor ourgraduating senior musicians.

We welcome you to enjoy and support a greatmusic education program that is always lookingforward, and always dedicated to the love of musicfor people of all ages!

“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

VIS ION

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November 20151 Senior Symphony Sibelius Celebration, FLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE

21 Sinfonietta Orchestra Fall Classic, SPANGENBERGTHEATRE AT GUNN HIGH SCHOOL

December6 Fall Concert: Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, Galbraith Honor Strings, El Camino Wind OrchestraVISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE

13 Senior Symphony Holiday Concert, CALIFORNIA THEATRE

January 201617 Senior Symphony at Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival, Davies Symphony Hall

30 Divisa Ensemble and ECYS Honor Ensembles, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

February6 Lunar New Year Concert, Sinfonietta & Symphony

FLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE

March6 Winter Concert: Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, Galbraith Honors Strings, El Camino Wind OrchestraALBERT & JANET SCHULTZ CULTURAL ARTS HALL

19 Sinfonietta March FestivalCARRINGTON HALL AT SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL

April2 Senior Symphony Annual Benefit Concert, Jon Nakamatsu, soloistFLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE

May7 Ice Cream Social Concert: Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, Galbraith Honor Strings, El Camino Wind OrchestraALBERT & JANET SCHULTZ CULTURAL ARTS HALL

21 Sinfonietta Spring Dance, SPANGENBERGTHEATRE AT GUNN HIGH SCHOOL

June5 Senior Symphony Season Finale, FLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE

July22 Summer Workshops Concert, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PALO ALTO

Dylan KimSinfonietta Spring Dance

Season at aGlance

Nakamatsu Plays Grieg!6

American pianist Jon Nakamatsucontinues to draw unanimouspraise as a true aristocrat of thekeyboard, whose playing combineselegance, clarity, and electrifyingpower. A native of California, Mr. Nakamatsu came to inter-national attention in 1997 when he was named Gold Medalist of the Tenth Van Cliburn Inter-national Piano Competition, the only American to have achieved this distinction since 1981. Mr. Nakamatsu has performed widely in North and South America, Europe, and the Far East, collaborating with such conductors as James Conlon, Marek Janowski, Raymond Leppard, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski,Osmo Vänskä and Hans Vonk. He also performed at a WhiteHouse concert hosted by Presidentand Mrs. Clinton.

Join Dr. Jindong Cai and the Senior Symphony for an evening that transports us from Edvard Grieg’smajestic fjords of Norway to the frigid minefield ofDmitri Shostakovich’s homeland.

GRIEG Piano Concerto,Jon Nakamatsu, soloist

SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016, 7:30 PMFLINT CENTERAT DE ANZA COLLEGE21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino

Tickets: $38/28 available at

Ticketmaster.com (Service fees may apply)

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Annual BenefitConcert Featuring

Van Cliburn Gold MedalistJon Nakamatsu

Joshua ChiangSymphony Holiday Concert

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Tickets to all performances are available at the door. All Flint Center tickets are available in advance at Ticketmaster.com (Service fees may apply). All tickets are

$15/8 with the exception of the Lunar New Year and Annual Benefit concerts.Check www.ecys.org for special free ticket offers.

Senior SymphonyDr. Jindong CaiMusic Director & Conductor

SIBELIUS CELEBRATION CONCERTSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015, 7:30 PMFLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino

Featuring guest artist Minna Pensola, violinSIBELIUS Selections from The Tempest, Suite No. 1SIBELIUS Violin Concerto, Minna Pensola, soloistSIBELIUS Symphony No. 5

HOLIDAY CONCERTSUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2015, 2:30 PMCALIFORNIA THEATRE345 South First St, San Jose

Featuring Young Artist Joshua Chiang, pianoPlease visit www.ecys.org for the complete program.

BAY AREA YOUTH ORCHESTRA FESTIVALSUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2016, 3:00 PMDAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, SAN FRANCISCOYouth orchestras from around the Bay Area convene at Davies Symphony Hall for anafternoon of music-making! Tickets available at sfsymphony.org, to benefit homeless youth.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016, 4:00 PMFLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGETickets: $25/15 may be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. For complete details, turn to pages 10–11!

ANNUAL BENEFITSATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016, 7:30 PMFLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGEFeaturing world-renowned pianist Jon Nakamatsu, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold MedalistTickets: $38/28 may be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. For complete details, see pages 6–7!

SEASON FINALESUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2016, 7:30 PMFLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGEFeaturing Young Artists Daisy Lee, violin, and Ethan Yuen, pianoBRAHMS Symphony No. 2BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.5, Mvt.1, Ethan Yuen, soloistVIEUXTEMPS Violin Concerto No. 4, Mvt.1, Daisy Lee, soloist

Minna Pensola

Lunar NewYear

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Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the

Senior Symphony, Dr. Jindong Cai,

Conductor, with soloist Gwhyneth Chen,

for the stirring Yellow River Concerto.

Experience Passacaglia:

Secret of Wind and Birds,

from the renowned living

composer Tan Dun, which

draws on forms and methods

from East and West, ancient

and modern, and incorporates

birdsong produced by smartphones!

The spectacular East meets West program

also features the Sinfonietta Orchestra,

John Eells Conductor, and young artists

Bennet Huang, cello and Josephine Chou, piano.

For complete program details, visit www.ecys.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016, 4:00 PMFLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino

Tickets: $25/15 available at Ticketmaster.com(Service fees may apply)

Bennet Huang

Gwhyneth Chen

Tan Dun

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CelebrationConcert!

Josephine Chou

2015Tour España!The Symphony performed a challenging program,including Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2. Celebrated Spanish-American composer Miguel A. Roig-Francolimade appearances to introduce his composition, Perseus, which made its USA premiere with the orchestra earlier in June. The stunning Sandra Shen dazzled the packed halls with De Falla’s Noches en los jardines de España. The orchestra toured and performed in Seville at the Villa de la Rinconada; in Granada as part of the International Festival of Music and Dance of Granada, featured on the main stage AuditorioManuel de Falla; in Valencia at the Palau de la Música; and inBarcelona, in front of 2000, at the magnificent Palau de la MúsicaCatalana (front cover).

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The Symphony on Montjuïc Hill,overlooking Barcelona Harbourand the Mediterranean Sea.

Caroline HsuSinfonietta Spring Dance

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FALL CLASSICSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015, 7:30 PMSPANGENBERGTHEATREAT GUNN HIGH SCHOOL780 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto

BRAHMS Academic Festival OvertureKHACHATURIAN Masquerade Suite, Mvts. 1, 11, 111BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8LALO “Prelude” from Cello Concerto, Sean Lee, soloist BIZET “Menuet” from L’Arlésienne

Suite No. 2GRIEG Norwegian Dance No.2

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016, 4:00 PMFLINT CENTERAT DE ANZA COLLEGE21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino

Tickets: $25/15 See pages 10–11 for details!

MARCH FESTIVALSATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2016, 7:30 PMCARRINGTON HALL AT SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL1201 Brewster Ave, Redwood City

BIZET Selections from Carmen SuitesFAURE “Sicilienne” from Pelleas et MelisandeSARASATE Zigeurnerweisen, Stephen Nishi, soloistHERBERT Cello Concerto No. 2, Mvt. 111, Jeffrey Chiu, soloistSCHUBERT Symphony No. 8, Mvt. 1BEETHOVEN Egmont Overture

SPRING DANCE SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016, 7:30 PMSPANGENBERGTHEATRE AT GUNN HIGH SCHOOL780 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto

MOZART Impressario OvertureMENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No.1, Mvt. 1, Caroline Hsu, soloistSIBELIUS Karelia SuiteMENDELSSOHN Athalia OvertureFORSYTH Viola Concerto, Mvt. 1, Dylan Kim, soloistGRIEG “Homage March” from Sigurd Jorsalfar

All tickets are $15/8 with the exception of the Lunar New Year Concert

Sean Lee

Sinfonietta OrchestraJohn Eells, Conductor

JOHN EELLS received his undergraduate degreefrom York University andcompleted his graduatework in conducting at theRoyal Academy of Music in London. He has guestconducted with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the New Britainand Meriden symphony orchestras, the Jacksonvilleand Spokane symphony orchestras, the Leeds Symphony Orchestra andthe Hermitage State Orchestra in St. Petersburg,Russia.

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FALL CONCERTSUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTSCENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino

1:00 pm Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras

2:30 pm El Camino Wind Orchestra, Galbraith Honor StringsFeaturing soloist Ryan Jia, piano

DR. MICHAIL GELFANDBEINreceived his PhD at the Leningrad Conservatory of Music under M. Rostropovich, with post-graduatestudy in conductingwith I. Musin, and served as Principal Cellist of the LeningradPhilharmonic for 25 years.

DR. RICHARD ROPER holds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory ofMusic, Yale Schoolof Music, and theUniversity of Mary-land. Committed to arts education, Dr. Roper serves onthe faculties of the San FranciscoConservatory ofMusic Pre-College/Adult Extension department, UC Santa Cruz, College of San Mateo, and the Community School of Music and Arts in Silicon Valley.

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MARIYA BOROZINA graduated from The Gnessins School of Music in Moscow, Russia. She went on to complete a violinperformance degreeat the Moscow Conservatory, and a postgraduate degree at the Manhattan Schoolof Music. Ms.Borozina plays firstviolin at the SanFrancisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet orchestras.

Preparatory Orchestras Summer WorkshopsDirected by Dr.Michail Gelfandbeinand Ms.Debra Gardner

STAY TUNED-UP OVER THE SUMMER! PERFECT FOR AGES 6–14

JULY 11–22 WEEKDAYS ONLY, PALO ALTO

WORKSHOP I—BEGINNING ORCHESTRA(ALL INSTRUMENTS)

WORKSHOP II—INTERMEDIATE STRING ORCHESTRA

WORKSHOP III—INTERMEDIATEWIND ENSEMBLE

The Workshops conclude with a festive performance on the evening of July 22.

For a special Early Bird Discount, register before 3/1/2016.For more information, visit www.ecys.org

Galbraith Honor Strings, Conducted by Mariya Borozina Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras,Conducted by Dr.Michail Gelfandbein

El Camino Wind Orchestra,Conducted by Dr. Richard Roper

Tickets Dec. & Mar: $15/8; May $15/no passes. For expanded conductor bios see www.ecys.org

Debra Gardner, Assistant Conductor and Director of Winds

WINTER CONCERTSUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016

ALBERT AND JANET SCHULTZCULTURAL ARTS HALL3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto

1:oo pm Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras

3:00 pm El Camino Wind Orchestra, Galbraith Honor StringsFeaturing special guest John Pearson, trumpet, and soloist Darren Lin, piano

TALENT “A LA MODE” ICE CREAM SOCIAL CONCERT!SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016, 6:15 PM

ALBERT AND JANET SCHULTZCULTURAL ARTS HALLChamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, El Camino Wind Orchestra & Galbraith Honor Strings

John Pearson, Associate Principal Trumpet, San FranciscoOpera

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HONORS CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAMThe Divisa Ensemble, ECYS Ensemble-In-Residence, oversees

the Divisa Honors Program, which is offered to musicians in the Chamber Music Program. Selected ensembles will be invited

to perform with the ensemble and to participate in competitions.

OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATEIN CHAMBER MUSIC

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.Members of the Divisa Ensemble will serve as faculty for the student ensembles. Each ensemble is coached weekly from

September –February, and closely studies a work of the major repertoire. Interested members may apply spring through early

fall, through the ECYS website.

PERFORM ANCES AND DIVISA MASTER CLASSESIn addition to regular community outreach performances, students

will also participate in competitions and master classes. Dates will be posted on the website. Admission is free.

On Saturday, January 30, 2016, at 8:00 pm, ECYS will present the Divisa Ensemble and Divisa Honors Ensembles in recital at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto.

Admission is free.

Chamber Music atECYS

Jeffrey ChiuSinfonietta March Festival

Divisa Ensemble:

Stephanie Ng,Meave Cox, Sara Styles,Tomiko Tsai, Eugenia Wie

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For five decades, the El Camino Youth Symphony has been an exemplary arts education organization. As the Bay Area’s foremostnon-profit instrumental training and education program, ECYS has given nearly 10,000 youths at all levels of musical training the opportunity to develop both socially and artistically.

At a time when opportunities for music education are being extinguished, while the power of musical education to make a profound difference in the lives of youth has never been more universally understood, ECYS invites you to reach out and to fill a critical gap in public funding of the arts.

We welcome you to join us as advocates of young artists and theirplace in the grand tradition of musical education and excellence. We depend upon generous friends to fund our program, as tuitionand ticket sales cover only a portion of our expenses.

On behalf of the ECYS Board of Directors, thank you for your interest in music education, and thank you for considering supporting the El CaminoYouth Symphony Association. We wouldbe honored for you to join our family of supporters.

Cathy Spieth, Executive DirectorEl Camino Youth Symphony Association

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Supporting Our Mission

Stephen NishiSinfonietta March Festival

Thank you for your support!

Left to right: Virginia Kiraly, Board President;

Jennifer Matthews, Secretary;

and Petra Clark, Vice-President

All programs subject to change.

Musician Portraits courtesy of: Capture Positive Photography (capturepositive.com)Cover & Center Spread: Marianne Swienink-Havard, ACFEA Tour Consultants

Back Cover: Jack XuDesign: N ancy Singer

Major Funders

El Camino Youth Symphony4055 Fabian Way • Palo Alto, CA 94303PH: (650) 213-7111 • FAX: (650) 493-1525

email: ecys@ecys.org

For more information, please visit the ECYS website www.ecys.orgFollow us on Twitter.com/ElCaminoYouth.

Like us on Facebook.

Musicians ages 6 to 20 are invited to make an audition appointment with ECYS. Contact the ECYS office or visit www.ecys.org for more information and an online application form.

Learn more about ECYS by visiting our website and finding us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/El.Camino.Youth.Symphony!

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. Funding comes from a variety of sources, including membership dues, concert ticket sales, benefit concerts, and donations by individuals, foundations, and corporations.

We invite you to become an ECYS patron and contribute to the music education of our young musicians. Your donation may be sent to:

THEDAVIDAND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION

HURLBUT-JOHNSONFUND

AN ADVISED FUND OF

SILICONVALLEY COMMUNITYFOUNDATION

UNION BANKFOUNDATION

SOFIA UNIVERSITY

MELLAM FAMILY FOUNDATION

THE REINHOLD FOUNDATION

and theSAN FRANCISCO

BAY AREA CHAPTER

HELEN ZHANG

ANN AND GORDONGETTY FOUNDATION

FOOTHILL ARTSALLIANCE

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Membership & More

Ethan YuenSymphony Season Finale