I played oboe in my high school band (go Lynbrook!), in San Jose Youth Symphony (a bit sporadically), El Camino Youth Symphony (again, somewhat sporadically), some group on Los Gatos or Saratoga (with adults, so I’m assuming it was a community group), the Fremont-Newark Philharmonic (ditto with that group, although maybe it was semi-professional?), and, finally, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO). I only began with PACO in the summer before my senior year. They had never had wind players as actual “members”, but after that summer they decided to allow two oboists and two French hornists. I played principal oboe for the year, and it was an incredible learning experience. That group far surpassed anything else I had ever been in. And that group was a large part of why I continued in music. I haven’t heard them in a very long time. I’m sure it was well before the sad loss of the found of the group, William Whitson. But they have continued on, and it appears they are going strong.

Their upcoming concert features a man I’ve played with a number of times, and I encourage you to hear his fine playing, as well as what I am certain is very fine playing by the youth group.

Saturday, March 13, 2010 – 8 pm
Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall @ OFJCC
3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto Map

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra
Benjamin Simon, conductor
Peter Lemberg, oboe

PACO favorite Peter Lemberg returns with the oboe’s larger cousin, an instrument that is neither English nor a horn. Mozart’s beautiful Adagio is paired with Vincent Persichetti’s masterful Concerto for English Horn (1977), surrounded by two authentically English works: Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 6 plus the delightful English Suite by Hubert Parry.

Tickets are $15/general, $10/seniors (62+), $5/students (with ID).
Available on concert night one hour before performance

For information, (650) 856-3848 | info [at] pacomusic [dot] org

The very next day California Youth Symphony has a concert. Two of my students are in that group, and I do plan on attending this concert. (FINALLY, a concert that doesn’t conflict with my own concert!) Conductor Leo Eylar was concertmaster of San Jose Symphony so many years ago now I don’t want to count them (makes me feel too old!). He also conducted a few seasons of a Nutcracker I used to play in at Flint Center. I haven’t seen him in … oh never mind! I don’t want to count those years either!

Symphony Orchestra Concert
at the Flint Center
Event Time: Sunday, March 14 at 2:30 pm, Doors open at 2:00 pm

Additional Info
The California Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leo Eylar, continues the 2009-2010 Concert Season with works by Higdon, Tchaikovsky, and Respighi, featuring the talents of soloist Stella Chen, winner of our 2009 Young Artist Competition.

The March 14 concert will be at 2:30pm at the beautiful Flint Center at De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. Tickets will be available at the door.

Program:
Higdon, Blue Cathedral
Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto
— Stella Chen, soloist
de Falla, Three Dances from the Three-Cornered Hat
Respighi, Pines of Rome

Contact Info
For more information, contact the CYS Office at (650)325-6666.