El Camino Youth Symphony: Where Soloists Shine
The El Camino Youth Symphony, directed by Dr. Camilla Kolchinsky, is just one year shy of a very big anniversary. Their 49th season opens on Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m., and in keeping with its usual custom, the program will showcase two talented concerto competition winners along with the full orchestra. Anna Boonyanit performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 9, mvt. 3, and Monica Liu plays Korngold’s Violin Concerto, mvt. 1.
SFCV asked 15-year-old Monica Liu what it feels like to be in the spotlight.
Is this your first time soloing with the orchestra?
Yes, it’s my first time for any solo. I was pretty nervous, but now after the rehearsals it feels pretty good. It's so much different from playing alone. To hear all of the parts around you is just great.
Why did you choose this concerto?
I didn't want to do something that everyone does, and one that I had played before. I wanted something that was lyrical, slow, and fast, to challenge me but also to be really fun.
Does this make you want to play more as a soloist?
It is a good experience, but pretty stressful. I used to do piano competitions before I quit the piano. I played more recitals and competitions so I could learn to relax in front of an audience. In the end, I like playing in the violin section better. I like to be involved with others in the orchestra, not so solitary.
Do you want to pursue life as a professional musician?
I think I like it more as a hobby than a job, but I want to keep playing my whole life. It's a way to get rid of stress, really listen to music, and let go and express myself.
Come hear with the El Camino Youth Symphony.
A Symphonic Celebration for Day of the Dead
It’s time for the annual San Francisco Symphony Day of the Dead Community Concert, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. For the forth year running, the Symphony and its Latino heritage partners create a special family musical and cultural celebration at Davies Symphony Hall, in honor of this important holiday. The Day of the Dead is mostly celebrated in Mexico on Nov. 1 or 2, in connection with the Catholic All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. It is a day is to remember loved ones who have died by visiting cemeteries, making altars, and making offerings of paper flowers, and sweets that the dead are believed to consume in the afterlife. Make sure to come early, because the fun begins at 1 p.m., one hour before the concert. Enjoy traditional dancing, paper mâché skeletons, and a special 25-foot installation of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent Aztec god, made of colorful chilies showcased under the grand staircase. Get in on bilingual activities for children like craft making and sugar skull-making demonstrations. Taste some yummy traditional bread, pan de muerto, and Mexican hot chocolate.
The 2 p.m. matinee concert, designed for the entire family features guest soloist, young Mexican tenor David Lomelí performing “La donna è mobile” from Verdi’s Rigoletto, “Amor vida de mi vida” from Torroba’s Maravilla, and beloved Latin American popular songs. You’ll also hear music by Mexican composers Daniel Catán, Pablo Moncayo, Arturo Márquez, Eugenio Toussaint, and Felipe Villanueva, and Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera.
CD Release Party at SOTA
Talented students from the vocal and piano departments at San Francisco’s public arts high school, the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA), jumped into an exciting project full force this school year. After weeks of intensive rehearsals, over 80 vocalists experienced the magic of the recording studio, creating a professionally produced, 10-track CD, sung in four languages. Sales of this CD, Peace, Joy, Harmony 2011, will fund a spring tour to New Orleans — an opportunity for a life-changing experience, and a chance to grow as artists and young adults.
“The benefits of this tour in terms of focused rehearsal preparation, performances, and cultural exploration, are invaluable to the students’ development as young artists,” says Todd Wedge, vocal department director. In addition to public performances, the trip involves musical collaboration, master classes, choral exchanges, and immersion in local history and culture. The vocal department and gifted colleagues from the piano department under the direction of Ava Soifer, are fundraising collectively to ensure that all students, despite family income, can join the tour and experience the energy of working together for a common artistic goal. A public benefit showcase concert and CD release party is slated for Oct. 29. Join them for a range of classical and jazz selections from a variety of ensembles including Concert and Chamber Choirs, Solo Jazz Lab, Musical Theater Lab, art songs, piano solos, and surprise guests.