Entertainment

National Youth Orchestra Comes to Weill Hall at Sonoma State

Published

10 years ago

August 5, 2014

The National Youth Orchestra (NYO) of the United States of America gave a performance in the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center, part of an eight-city coast-to-coast tour led by renowned conductor David Robertson.

The 120 members of the orchestra captured the spirit and essence of America, its character, its wholesomeness, and its spirit of adventure as they performed Leonard Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances” from West Side Story and Benjamin Britten’s “Violin Concerto” with violinist Gil Shaham.

The program also featured the California premiere of “Radial Play” by American composer Samuel Carl Adams, commissioned by Carnegie Hall for NYO-USA, and Ravel’s arrangement of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Two encores capped a stellar evening, excerpts from George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” and “America the Beautiful” by Katherine Lee Bates and Samuel Ward.

The orchestra pushed the frontiers of musical boundaries, reaching for and achieving new heights and exposing the audience to broader horizons.

Members of the orchestra introduced several of the selections, providing insight into the music as well as personal vignettes. And the orchestra’s wardrobe featured red pants and Stars and Stripes converse shoes! The conductor had the same footwear.

NYO is proof-positive that symphonic music has a future. The orchestra displayed world-class musicianship in their spirited performance.

Members of the orchestra, ages 16-19, come from 35 U.S. states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. They have been recognized by Carnegie Hall as being among the finest players in the country, chosen following a comprehensive audition process.

For information about the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center, go to gmc.sonoma.edu.

To learn more about the National Youth Orchestra, go to carnegiehall.org/nyousa.

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Related Topics:Marin National Youth Orchestra Sonoma State University

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Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

4 days ago

November 30, 2024

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Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.