SRS Youth Orchestra "Celebrate the Future Concert Sunday, march 2, at Jackson Theater

Performance Features Winners of Concerto and Composition Competitions

News Release Contact:
Margie Harrison-Smith, Director of Education
707-546-7097 ext.219
mharrisonsmith@santarosasymphony.com

January 15, 2008

(SANTA ROSA, CA) – The Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra’s “Celebrate the Future” concert will showcase the winners of its third annual Concerto Competition and its first Composing Competition at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2008. The concert venue is Sonoma Country Day School’s Jackson Theater; Dr. Richard Loheyde will conduct.

As the Santa Rosa Symphony continues its 80th anniversary season, this Youth Orchestra concert is a particular celebration of both the Symphony’s history of fine music making and music education, and the promise of creating an outstanding music legacy.

Nathaniel Morrison, a senior at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa, was the first place winner of the concerto competition. Jaime Feldman, a sophomore at Summerfield Waldorf School who lives in Sebastopol, was the second place winner. Tim Zieminski, a sophomore home school student from Santa Rosa, was third. Tayla Nebesky from Freestone, a sophomore at Orchard View Charter School, was fourth. The young people auditioned before a 3-judge panel of professional musicians in October. The contest was open to all 50 Youth Orchestra members, eight of which auditioned.

This year, the Santa Rosa Symphony Education Department wanted to honor student composers as well as the players. Out of six composers from the Advanced Composition class of the SRS Summer Music Academy. Kevin Gonyo was named the winner. Mr. Gonyo, a former YO bass trombonist, currently studies composition at UCLA. His new work—titled Graffiti and written expressly for YO— will be debuted at the March 2 concert.

Also on the program are Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, Movement IV, featuring Mr. Morrison on violin; Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme performed by Ms. Feldman on cello; the first movement of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, featuring Mr. Zieminski on violin; and Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto in E-flat, featuring Ms. Nebesky.

Admission for “Celebrate the Future” concert is $10 for students & seniors and $12 for adults. Tickets may be purchased in advance through the Rosa Symphony Box Office: (707) 54-MUSIC, online www.santarosasymphony.com, or at the door.

--Concerto Competition Winners group photo available upon request--

SUMMARY

Who: Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra, Dr. Richard Loheyde, conductor
Date and Time: Sunday, March 2, 2008, 3 p.m.
What: “Celebrate the Future” Concert (featuring winners of concerto and composition competitions)
Venue: Jackson Theater, Sonoma Country Day School, 4400 Day School Place, Santa Rosa
Cost: $10 seniors/student; $12 adult
Tickets: www.santarosasymphony.com or (707) 54-MUSIC [546-8742]