El Camino. Cassandra May, violin Erik Roise, cello Sarah Cliff, bassoon. Youth Symphony

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1 El Camino Celebrating Our 54th Season Youth Symphony Association 4055 Fabian Way Palo Alto, CA Cassandra May, violin Erik Roise, cello Sarah Cliff, bassoon El Camino Youth Symphony

2 Dr. Jindong Cai, Music Director & Conductor Maestro Jindong Cai received his early musical training in China, where he learned to play the violin and piano. He came to the United States in and earned his graduate degrees at the New England Conservatory and the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. In 1989, he was selected to study with famed conductor Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Center, and won the Conducting Fellowship Award at the Aspen Music Festival in 1990 and Jindong Cai joined the Stanford University faculty in 2004 as the first holder of the Gretchen B. Kimball Director of Orchestral Studies Chair and Associate Professor of Music in Performance. Currently he is the Artistic Director of the Stanford Pan-Asian Music Festival, which he founded in He has held positions as assistant conductor with the Cincinnati Symphony and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. He has conducted in China including the China National Broadcasting Symphony, the National Opera and Ballet Theater of China, and the Shanghai Symphony. Dr. Cai is an accomplished author and scholar and his latest book, Beethoven in China, 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 Maestro Cai and the Senior Symphony will open and close the season with romantic Russian masterworks; celebrate the holidays with popular Broadway musicals; express love for humanity and the earth with a 2011 piece by composer Welcome to the 54th Season of ElCaminoYouth Symphony! Tan Dun; collaborate with chorus for Orchestra! a joyful exploration of the greatest A huge Ode to Joy! The Annual composer of all, Ludwig van Benefit Concert features the 115 Beethoven; feature extraordinarily member Senior Symphony and special gifted young artists and renowned guests the Symphony Silicon professional soloists; and cap the Valley Chorale! ECYS Music Director season with Bon Voyage performances prior to a Jindong Cai, who is an accomplished Beethoven glorious tour of Central Europe! scholar, will share his passion and knowledge with our We begin on October 29 with an all-russian Season Symphony musicians and audience for a monumental Opener, featuring Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky s recurring April 1 production of Symphony No. 9! theme of fate and providence, Symphony No. 5. ECYS The Season Finale returns to the Russian theme proudly presents San Francisco Symphony violinist on June 4, with Symphonic Dances, the last music David Chernyavsky, a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Sergei Rachmaninoff composed. Violinists will be performing the brilliant Alexander Glazunov Concerto. interested to learn that Fritz Kreisler, at Rachmaninoff s Celebrate the season with ECYS as Broadway request, checked the bowings! Join us as we honor favorites light up the stage at the December 11 Holiday our seniors at this final regular season performance. Pops Concert. Oh! What a Beautiful Program of hits from Bon Voyage concerts on June 18 and 19 will Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and feature the ultimate triumvirate of Russian riches with more! Of course we will send you off with a Sleigh Ride! the return of the Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, The Lunar New Year Celebration on February 4 adding the Shostakovich Festive Overture and the will bring together a colorful and diverse array of artists Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, performed by none other and compositions for our annual East meets West than David Chernyavsky, who will join us in Central performance. Enjoy the vivid colors and elegance of Europe for Tour 2017! the OngDance Company, who will open the concert All of this, plus captivating performances by with a Korean Drum Dance. We are honored to show- concerto competition winners! See you at the concerts! 2 Cover: Arthur Oung, cello, Grace Huh, violin & Erica Nagase, flute 3 case David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, for Felix Mendelssohn s Violin Concerto in E minor. A composition by Chinese composer Tan Dun will again grace our stage, along with a performance by John Eells and the Sinfonietta

3 Season at a Glance October 29 Senior Symphony Season Opener Concert, FLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE November 19 Sinfonietta Orchestra Fall Classic Concert VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE December 4 Fall Concert: Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, Galbraith Honor Strings, El Camino Wind Orchestra, HERITAGE THEATRE 11 Senior Symphony Holiday Pops Concert, CALIFORNIA THEATRE February 3 Violin Masterclass with David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ARTS 4 Lunar New Year Concert, Sinfonietta & Symphony, FLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE 25 Divisa Ensemble and ECYS Chamber Groups COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ARTS March 4 Winter Concert: Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, Galbraith Honor Strings, El Camino Wind Orchestra ALBERT AND JANET SCHULTZ CULTURAL ARTS HALL 4 Arthur Oung Symphony Holiday Concert Roger Sun Symphony Season Finale 11 Sinfonietta March Festival Concert, HERITAGE THEATRE April 1 Senior Symphony Annual Benefit Concert, FLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE May 6 Ice Cream Social Concert with Chamber Players and Camerata Orchestras, Galbraith Honor Strings, El Camino Wind Orchestra ALBERT AND JANET SCHULTZ CULTURAL ARTS HALL 20 Sinfonietta Spring Dance Concert VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE June 4 Senior Symphony Season Finale Concert, FLINT CENTER AT DE ANZA COLLEGE 18 Senior Symphony Bon Voyage Concert, ARAGON HIGH SCHOOL THEATER 19 Senior Symphony Bon Voyage Concert WOODSIDE HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER July 28 Summer Music Conservatory Concert, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PALO ALTO 5

4 Annual Benefit Concert Ode to Joy with Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale! It seems like my entire heart, my entire being, has dissolved into this magnificent, glorious symphony... Beethoven is unmatchable... This is real music its power makes me forget everything. As written by a young Jindong Cai in 1979, after seeing Seiji Ozawa conduct the Ninth Symphony. Ludwig van Beethoven, completely deaf at the time of the Ninth s premiere, never heard a note of his magnificent composition outside of his own imagination. With his baton, Maestro Cai, a Beethoven scholar, will explore this epic story of overcoming great obstacles and emerging with a victory for all humanity. Nancy Zheng ECYS, joined by special guests the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale, Elena Sharkova, Artistic Director, presents one of the most beloved and influential works of all time: Beethoven s Symphony No. 9; a triumphant celebration, uniting orchestra, vocal soloists, and chorus in a joyous and unforgettable finale! SATURDAY, April 1, 2017, 7:30 pm Flint Center at De Anza College Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale 6 Tickets: $38/28 available at Ticketmaster.com (Service fees may apply) BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, Ode to Joy with the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1, Mvt. I Featuring young artist Nancy Zheng, piano 7

5 Senior Symphony Dr. Jindong Cai, Music Director & Conductor SEASON OPENER CONCERT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016, 7:30 pm Flint Center at De Anza College, Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino Featuring guest artist David Chernyavsky, violin BORODIN Prince Igor: Polovetsian Dance No.17 GLAZUNOV Violin Concerto in A minor, David Chernyavsky, soloist TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5 HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2016, 2:30 pm California Theatre, 345 South First Street, San Jose Featuring young artists Erica Nagase, flute & Arthur Oung, cello. Please visit for the complete program. LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION CONCERT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017, 7:30 pm Flint Center at De Anza College For complete details, turn to pages 10 11! ANNUAL BENEFIT CONCERT SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017, 7:30 pm Flint Center at De Anza College Joined by special guests the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale! For complete details, see pages 6 7! SEASON FINALE CONCERT SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2017, 7:30 pm Flint Center at De Anza College Featuring young artists Leyla Kabuli, piano & Roger Sun, violin DVORAK Slavonic Dance No. 8 SIBELIUS Violin Concerto, Mvt. I, Roger Sun, soloist RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2, Mvt. I, Leyla Kabuli, soloist RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances BON VOYAGE CONCERTS Two Performances! For program details see pages 12 13! SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017, 7:30 pm Aragon High School Theater, 900 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2017, 7:30 pm Woodside High School Performing Arts Center, 199 Churchill Ave, Woodside 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 Concert ($25/15) Erica Nagase Symphony Holiday Concert 8 and Annual Benefit Concerts ($38/28). Check for special free ticket offers. 9

6 Lunar New Year Celebration Concert! Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Senior Symphony, Dr. Jindong Cai, Conductor, and special guest Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Kim, for the much-loved Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor. The concert will open with an inspiring and beautiful performance by the OngDance Company, a Korean Dance and Drum ensemble directed and choreographed by Kyoungil Ong. Symphonic Poem of Three Notes, from the renowned living composer Tan Dun, takes the audience on a journey from nature through industry and back to nature again, featuring unique sound sources such as wind, stones, and car brake drums! The spectacular East meets West program also features the Sinfonietta Orchestra, John Eells Conductor, and young artist Catherine Huang, piano. Mr. Kim will conduct a violin masterclass on Friday, February 3, 2017, 7:00 pm. More details at ecys.org! SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017, 7:30 pm Flint Center at De Anza College Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino David Kim Tickets: $25/15 available at Ticketmaster.com (Service fees may apply) BAO YUANKAI Revels of the Lantern Festival BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4, Mvt. I, Catherine Huang, soloist TIESHAN & YUAN Dance of the Yao People MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto in E Minor, David Kim, soloist TAN DUN Symphonic Poem of Three Notes Catherine Huang Our gratitude to Suhyun and Wonha Chon, Sponsors of the OngDance Company performance. 10 Korean Drum Dancer, OngDance Company 11

7 Central Europe Tour 2017 During the summer of 2017 ECYS will journey to the grandest stages of Central Europe! The program will be presented first in Prague s exquisite Smetana Hall; followed by a golden visit to the Musikvereinsaal, the Great Hall and home of the Vienna Philharmonic; next onto Bratislava s Slovak Radio Hall, and concluding with a grand finale at Budapest s Bela Bartok National Concert Hall! BON VOYAGE CONCERTS Two Performances! SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017, 7:30 pm Aragon High School Theater 900 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2017, 7:30 pm Woodside High School Performing Arts Center 199 Churchill Ave, Woodside SHOSTAKOVICH Festive Overture TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto, David Chernyavsky, soloist RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances You will want to wish us a Bon Voyage on June 18 & 19! David Chernyavsky is a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, and a graduate of The Juilliard School. He joined the San Francisco Symphony in 2009 and, as a member of the St. Petersburg Quartet, has performed throughout the world! Wiener Musikverein, Vienna, Austria 12 13

8 Senior Symphony, California Theatre On December 11, the California Theatre is the backdrop for an afternoon of music-making and merriment. The Senior Symphony, dressed to the nines, will present beloved Broadway hits The Phantom of the Opera, The King and I, Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, and Memory from Cats. d It wouldn t be an ECYS Holiday Concert without our favorite Leroy Anderson work: Sleigh Ride; so expect those bells to be jingling and ring-ting-tingling too! 14 15

9 Sinfonietta Orchestra John Eells, Conductor FALL CLASSIC CONCERT SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016, 7:30 pm Visual and Performing Arts Center at De Anza College Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 1 in C MENDELSSOHN Overture to Ruy Blas SCHUBERT Selections from Rosamunde MOZART Piano Concerto No. 23, Mvt. I, Karina Tseng, piano LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION CONCERT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017, 7:30 pm Flint Center at De Anza College Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino Tickets: $25/15 may be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. For complete details, turn to pages 10 11! MARCH FESTIVAL CONCERT SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017, 7:30 pm Heritage Theatre 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Procession of the Nobles BEETHOVEN Overture to Prometheus TCHAIKOVSKY Selections from Swan Lake SAINT SAENS Havanaise, Grace Huh, violin SAINT SAENS Bacchanale from Samson and Delila SPRING DANCE CONCERT SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017, 7:30 pm Visual and Performing Arts Center at De Anza College MOZART Symphony No. 25 SAINT SAENS Cello Concerto No. 1, Mvt. I, Erik Roise, cello SMETANA Dances from The Bartered Bride GLINKA Kamarinskaya KABALEVSKY Violin Concerto in C Major, Mvt. I, Cassandra May, violin TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 2, Mvt. IV Karina Tseng Grace Huh John Eells, conductor of the Sinfonietta Orchestra, received his undergraduate degree from York University and completed his graduate work in conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has guest conducted with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the New Britain and Meriden symphony orchestras, the Jacksonville and Spokane symphony orchestras, the Leeds Symphony Orchestra and the Hermitage State Orchestra in St. Petersburg, Russia. Erik Roise Sinfonietta Spring Dance 16 All tickets are $15/8 with the exception of the Lunar New Year Concert. 17

10 Preparatory Orchestras Camerata Orchestra, Visual and Performing Arts Center at De Anza College 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 FALL CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2016 Heritage Theatre 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell 1:00 pm Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras 3:00 pm El Camino Wind Orchestra & Galbraith Honor Strings Featuring young artist Diego Ramil, piano WINTER CONCERT SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2017, 6:30 pm Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, El Camino Wind Orchestra & Galbraith Honor Strings Featuring young artist Sarah Cliff, bassoon TALENT A LA MODE ICE CREAM SOCIAL CONCERT! SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017, 6:15 pm Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall Chamber Players & Camerata Orchestras, El Camino Wind Orchestra & Galbraith Honor Strings Featuring special guest Alexander Zeyliger, bandoneon Mariya Borozina graduated from The Gnessins School of Music in Moscow, Russia. She went on to complete a violin performance degree at the Moscow Conservatory, and a postgraduate degree at the Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Borozina plays first violin at the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet orchestras. Dr. Michail Gelfandbein received his PhD at the Leningrad Conservatory of Music under M. Rostropovich, with post-graduate study in conducting with I. Musin, and served as Principal Cellist of the Leningrad Philharmonic for 25 years. Dr. Richard Roper holds 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 of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College/ Adult Extension department, UC Santa Cruz, College of San Mateo, and the Community School of Music and Arts in Silicon Valley. Tickets Dec. & Mar: $15/8; May $15/no passes 18 19

11 Summer Music Conservatory July 17 28, Weekdays Only For musicians ages 6 14! ECYS invites members and non-members to participate in the acclaimed Summer Music Conservatory Program. ECYS Associate Conductor Dr. Michail Gelfandbein will return as director of Beginning Orchestra and Intermediate Chamber Orchestra; Debra Gardner directs the Chamber Winds; and Vladimir Klibanov will coach the Viola Voyagers. Beginning Orchestra: A class for young musicians with at least one year of private lessons; a great introduction to orchestral playing and following a conductor. Intermediate Chamber Orchestra: An all-string ensemble for violin, viola, cello, and double bass players with two to three years of lessons. Repertoire includes works by Mozart, Bach, Haydn, and more! NEW! Viola Voyagers: Learn to play one of the orchestra's most in-demand instruments! The class, for students with at least two years of violin experience, will introduce players to the viola. An instrument will be provided. Chamber Winds: Intermediate to advanced small ensemble repertoire for flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and French horn. Other instruments may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. A placement audition is required for the conservatory program. All classes will perform in an evening concert on July 28, 2017, 7:00 pm. Endangered Instruments Program The Endangered Instruments Program (EIP) provides a unique opportunity for students to learn less commonly played, but highly sought after, instruments like double bass, French horn, and viola. ECYS provides subsidized, weekly group lessons overseen by professional coaches, as well as access to an endangered instrument. Once proficient on their EIP instrument, musicians are placed in ECYS orchestras and ensembles. 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 should be ages 6 14, though older students may be considered. Groups meet for a Fall and Spring Session. Learn more or sign up at ecys.org! Debra Gardner, ECYS Assistant Conductor & Director of Winds Vladimir Klibanov, Voyager Coach For a special early-bird discount, enroll by 2/1/17. Sarah Cliff For more information, visit ecys.org Galbraith Honor Strings Winter Concert 20 21

12 Chamber Music at ECYS Divisa Ensemble: Stephanie Ng, Meave Cox, Sara Styles, Tomiko Tsai, Eugenia Wie Roger Sun Symphony Season Finale Opportunities to Learn from Professional Chamber Musicians The Divisa Ensemble, ECYS Ensemble- In-Residence, serves as faculty for musicians in the Chamber Music Program. Ensembles will be invited to perform in the community, with the ensemble, in masterclasses, and to 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 February, and closely studies a work of the major repertoire. Interested members may apply spring through early fall, through the ECYS website. On February 25, 2017, 4pm, ECYS will present the Divisa Ensemble and ECYS Chamber Musicians in recital at the Community School of Music and Arts, Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle, in Mountain View. Admission is free! Topaz Trio: Jamie Wang, Valerie Wang, & Jocelyn Wang at the HomeFirst Home Sweet Home Benefit to End Homelessness

13 Thank you for your support! For five decades, the El Camino Youth Symphony has been an exemplary arts education organization. As the Bay Area s foremost non-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. Supporting Our Mission 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 their place in the grand tradition of musical education and excellence. We depend upon generous friends to fund our program, as tuition and 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 Camino Youth Symphony Association. We would be honored for you to join our family of supporters. Cathy Spieth Executive Director, El Camino Youth Symphony Association 24 Sinfonietta Orchestra with Conductor John Eells performing at Flint Center. Leyla Kabuli Symphony Season Finale 25

14 Membership & More Musicians ages 6 to 20 are invited to make an audition appointment with ECYS. Contact the ECYS office or visit for more information and an online application form. Learn more about ECYS by visiting our website and finding us on Facebook at 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: Major Funders ACFEA TOUR CONSULTANTS ANN AND GORDON GETTY FOUNDATION FOOTHILL ARTS ALLIANCE HURLBUT-JOHNSON FUND AN ADVISED FUND OF SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION THE MAY FOUNDATION MELLAM FAMILY FOUNDATION THE DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION THE REINHOLD FOUNDATION SOFIA UNIVERSITY El Camino Youth Symphony 4055 Fabian Way Palo Alto, CA (650) ecys@ecys.org For more information, please visit the ECYS website Follow us on Twitter.com/ElCaminoYouth. Like us on Facebook. UNION BANK FOUNDATION HELEN zhang All programs subject to change. Musician Portraits courtesy of: Capture Positive Photography (capturepositive.com) 26 Cassandra May Sinfonietta Spring Dance All other photos: Patrick Chiang, Rhys Gwyn, Joey Huang, Ramesh Kannan, Catherine Wang Design: N ancy Singer 27