Sadly, baseball may be over for loyal Los Angeles fans, but double headers are not solely exclusive to sports. Some of Santa Clarita’s young musicians gave audiences in the valley their own version of the concept. The result was a resounding double dose of Beethoven and Haydn.
This double began with the first fall performance by the SCVYO’s Symphony of the Canyons at the Performing Arts Center at the College of the Canyons on Saturday, October 22. The senior ensemble of the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra performed the Beethoven’s Overture to Prometheus, Haydn’s Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in C major, and featured Beethoven’s Symphony No.7. The spirited performances were received with rousing ovations by the audience.
During the Haydn concerto, the audience was treated to some of the depth of the musical talent within SCVYO. Phillip Suwandi, a 15 year-old sophomore from West Ranch High School, performed the cello solo, captivating the audience with his skill and expressive interpretation of the music. At the conclusion of the piece, Phillip returned to the stage three times to acknowledge the audience’s continued applause.
The second part of the Symphony’s double header was an appearance at the Daniel Pearl World Music Days held at the Valencia United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 23. At this performance, the Symphony played selections from Beethoven’s Symphony No.7 and Haydn’s Concerto for Cello and Orchestra. The Symphony was a part of a variety of performances which included the Valencia High School Drumline, Canyon High School Madrigals, and others.
This fall hold much promise for the SCVYO. A record number of young musicians have joined the program this year. The Symphony of the Canyons now boasts 48 members and the Youth Orchestra now has 46 youth in its ranks. Both the Prelude Strings and Guitar Ensemble have also experienced an increase in membership. With the increased interest and the help of a $10,000 matching grant from the Henry Mayo Foundation, the SCVYO is increasing its offerings to provide additional programs, beginning in early 2017, for Santa Clarita’s young musicians to practice their craft. Two new ensembles, Prelude Winds and Advanced Brass, as well as chamber music groups will be offered in the upcoming season.
In addition to the SCVYO’s grand performance on Saturday, December 3rd, which will include all ensembles, the SCVYO faculty will be showing off its talents. The SCVYO will host its Artistic Faculty Chamber Music Concert and Social at the Little School of Music on November 6th. This performance will include the conductors of all the ensembles, plus the instrumental coaches from CalArts. Tickets for this event are available in advance and can be purchased online at www.scvyo.org .
While baseball fans wait and dream of next season, the SCVYO prepares to go into extra innings.
For more information on the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra, visit their website www.scvyo.org .
