Jan 7, 2007

Droves turn out for Youth Symphony concert

Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

A record number of patrons, music lovers and families of the El Camino Youth Symphony Orchestra turned out for the Dec. 17 Holiday Concert at Gunn High School's Spangenberg Theater. Executive director Cathy Spieth said, "I literally had no place to put people; it was standing room only."

The 110-member youth orchestra, under the direction of Camilla Kolchinsky, performed a collection of festive holiday selections along with a special performance by the orchestra's Percussion Ensemble.

The traditional works of the evening could not compete with the unique sounds of "Junk Funk," a five-member group that played unconventional instruments and received a standing ovation.

Showstoppers were the four winners of this year's concerto competition and their solo performances. Lily Tsai, who in addition to playing the violin in the orchestra, performed a movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1, while her older sister Stephanie, also an accomplished pianist, performed a movement of Dmitry Kabalevsky's Cello Concerto No. 1. The Tsai sisters took home enough floral bouquets to decorate an entire house.

Timothy Yu's brilliant performance of Pablo de Sarasate's "Gypsy Airs" received a standing ovation. Saranya Sethuraman played Gordon Jacob's modern Trombone Concerto: I. Andante maestoso, and received enthusiastic applause.

As is tradition, alumni of the orchestra were invited to come on stage and join in the finale, playing Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride." At least 16 returning graduates were there, including Connie Chen, Kenny Huang, Joyce Ho and Kevin Lieu.

The student orchestra, composed of members ranging in age from 6 to 18, is in its 44th season.

The Senior Symphony Orchestra is composed of talented high school musicians from around the Bay Area. Palo Alto residents represent about a third of the orchestra and include Patrick and Molly Kagel, Brian Huang, Jonathan Kuo, Wendy Lee, Benjamin Kreitman, Paula Yoffe and Sarah Kaubisch.

In June, the senior orchestra will embark on a Baltic tour, holding performances in Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Tallinn, Estonia. The audience heard a preview of a tour piece, "Sabre Dance," from the ballet "Gayanne" by Aram Khachaturian.

The Symphony earned the International Festival of Youth and Music Award for its previous tour of England, Scotland, France, Italy and Austria.

Concertgoers included Phaih-Lan and Kenwood Tsai (parents of soloists Lily and Stephanie), board member Mariko Kanai, co-presidents Jim Kaubisch and Elena Kagan, vice president Joe Mandell, Arthur Plonowski and Emily Shih, parent of soloist Yu and his brother Eric.

Multitalented Fabienne Maurer, who is an accomplished violinist, vocalist and dancer, took time out from pursuing her entertainment career in Los Angeles to attend the concert with her father Joseph Maurer, former co-chairman of the board of directors.

Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301, or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com or call (650) 327-9090, ext. 334.