New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The American Youth Symphony (AYS), named "The finest youth symphony on earth," by KUCS's Jim Svejda, launches its star-studded 50th Anniversary Season on October 12, 2014. As one of the nation's leading pre-professional orchestras, the mission of AYS is to inspire the future of a timeless art form by sharing exceptional, innovative concerts based on its landmark training of musicians ages 15-27. Led by
Alexander Treger,
Music Director, Henri Lazarof Chair, the orchestra provides paid fellowships to 107 musicians who represent extraordinary talent from all over the world. AYS presents concerts at no cost to the community, creating an opportunity for everyone to experience the joy, beauty, and exuberance of remarkable orchestral performances.
Following the most heavily attended auditions to-date, this season's orchestra roster has just been posted. It was announced that Jiye
Angela Bae, a 16-year-old student from Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, has won the co-concertmaster position, making her one of the youngest concertmasters in AYS history! Overall, the 2014/15 orchestra is composed of 107 musicians representing 26 schools.
"After seeing the amazing talent on display in our auditions, I can't wait to begin working with this ensemble. I know that they will rise to the challenge of the exciting and ambitious programs we have planned for this season." -
Alexander Treger
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Reservations are now open for:
Passion | October 12, 2014, 7pm | Royce Hall (Free concert)
The season opens on October 12 at UCLA's Royce Hall, with featured soloist Allan Steele (age 21), a recent alumnus who left the orchestra at the conclusion of the 2013/14 season to become principal cellist of the Fort Worth Symphony. Allan will be joining AYS in the world premiere performance of renowned composer and educator Henri Lazarof's Cello Concerto No. 4. The concert will also feature Gustav Mahler's magnificent Symphony No. 5. Of all of Mahler's 10 symphonies, No. 5 most completely fulfills his desire to "encompass the entire world" in one heart-stopping, virtuosic journey. Join AYS for this gripping reflection of passion for life!
Reserve now: https://aysymphony.org/2014/09/17/passion-oct-12/
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Imagination | November 23, 2014 | Royce Hall (Free concert)
For the third and final year of the crowd-favorite Elfman Project, the 7pm concert fuses music and storytelling with selections from some of
Danny Elfman's most brilliantly imaginative and iconic scores, from films including Beetlejuice, Dick Tracy, Men in Black, Epic, and more. Suites are in-part performed to film and conducted by AYS alumnus and world-renowned film composer
David Newman. This event also features two of
Aaron Copland's most evocative and beloved works, Quiet City and Appalachian Spring.
The event kicks off with a 4pm Symposium featuring discussion on the art of film scoring, and a live performance of Elfman's score for the documentary The Unknown Known. Following the symposium, panelists and film-music enthusiasts will gather for a sumptuous and scintillating benefit dinner party at 5:15pm, catered by Katsuya Brentwood.
Reserve now: https://aysymphony.org/2014/09/17/imagination-nov-23/
Daring | March 7, 2015 | Walt Disney Concert Hall
Returning by popular demand, world-touring power-house Valentina Lisitsa makes her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut playing Rachmaninoff's career-defining Piano Concerto No. 2. Lisitsa, a dazzling star of the
Internet age, is known for her daring YouTube performances, which to date have garnered over 77 million views from all across the globe.
Also on the program, 31-year-old maverick composer Paul Dooley premieres a specially commissioned piece in honor of the American Youth Symphony's 50th Anniversary Season.
Tickets range from $15-42.
Reserve now: https://aysymphony.org/2014/09/16/daring-mar-7/
Coming up this season:
Legacy | February 8, 2015 | Royce Hall
2pm Family
Music Adventure
(Complimentary Tickets)
4pm Concert featuring Alumnus Michael Sachs, principal trumpet of the Cleveland Symphony
(Complimentary Tickets)
Reservations open 12/01/14
Celebration | April 26, 2015 | Royce Hall
6pm Concert featuring distinguished former NY Philharmonic Concertmaster
Glenn Dicterow, and acclaimed violist
Karen Dreyfus
(Complimentary Tickets)
8pm - Annual Gala Dinner to celebrate 50 years of the American Youth Symphony's legacy to the Los Angeles community
Reservations open 12/01/14
Vitality | May 22, 2015, 7:30pm | Moss Theatre
World-famous violinist
Sarah Chang joins the American Youth Symphony for an intimate performance presented in thanks to the generous community that has sustained the vitality of AYS for 50 years.
This is a members priority event. (Members will have first priority to reserve tickets for the 344 seat theatre.) Membership starts at just $60 for the season.
Reservations open 04/10/15
About
Alexander Treger,
Music Director, Henri Lazarof Chair:
Alexander Treger, celebrated former concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was appointed
Music Director of the American Youth Symphony in 1998, and in the years since has led AYS to become a first-class training ground for young musicians. In addition to being a noted violinist, Maestro Treger is a gifted educator and accomplished conductor, recognized for his inspiring work with promising young musicians. He held the position of violin professor at UCLA from 1977 to 1997, and has given master classes around the world. In 1993, he was appointed
Music Director and Conductor at the Crossroads School where he has developed a youth chamber orchestra of the highest caliber. Under his leadership, the American Youth Symphony has performed at Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and received the hands-on support of world-class musicians, including Yefim Bronfman,
Sarah Chang, Midori, Johannes Moser, Alan Silvestri, and John Williams.
For More Information: https://www.AYSymphony.org
