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Media Contacts
Anji Taylor, SDYS – ataylor@sdys.org | 619.233.3232 ext. 190
Toni Robin, TR/PR – tr@trprsandiego.com | 858.483.3918

San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory to be featured on NPR’s national
“From the Top” radio program through partnership with La Jolla Music Society

Live taping: Saturday, April 13, 2019 – 6 PM
The Baker-Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
7600 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Tickets from $28 – $68 available at sdys.org/FTT

March 28, 2019 – SAN DIEGO – San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory’s Chamber Orchestra will be featured in a live taping of From the Top, one of National Public Radio’s most popular weekly music programs, presented by the La Jolla Music Society on April 13. Guest-hosted by Vijay Gupta – violinist, social justice advocate, and 2018 MacArthur Fellow – From the Top shares the stories and performances of extraordinary young musicians, empowering them to engage and inspire music lovers of all ages.

The taping is part of From the Top’s national tour, which coincides with the opening of the La Jolla Music Society’s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, a state-of- the art performing arts venue for cultural, arts education, and community event activity. It has been 5 years since the show has included San Diego in its national tour.

Jeff Edmons, now approaching his 25th season as Music Director at SDYS, highly values the outstanding educational and artistic opportunities that the partnership with La Jolla Music Society and this special collaboration with From the Top provides, to SDYS’ students, and to youth and communities far beyond the San Diego area. “The opportunity for our students to perform and interact with professional artists such as George Li and Vijay Gupta emphasizes the power of collaboration and partnership,” shares Edmons. “I hope that for the thousands of people who will hear our SDYS Chamber Orchestra perform with an incredible professional soloist, as well as the concert and community performances given by two of our own SDYS musicians with other students, that this will all be an inspirational experience for them. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the power of the music to connect and unite us all.”

Individual students will also be featured, including Torrey Pines High School sophomore Kevin Song, an assistant principal cellist with SDYS, who was previously featured on From the Top in 2016. This is Kevin’s first season with the Youth Symphony.
“Appearing on From the Top was truly an inspirational experience, and being able to return with the SDYS Chamber Orchestra and represent San Diego’s rich cultural community is both exciting and an honor,” shares Kevin. “Working alongside our passionate conductor, Mr. Edmons, and other talented young musicians as a part of the Chamber Orchestra has taught me so much about musicianship, friendship, dedication, and camaraderie.”

SDYS will be featured as a result of its longstanding educational partnership with the La Jolla Music Society. “We are proud to spotlight the San Diego Youth Symphony Chamber Orchestra’s residency with La Jolla Music Society, as well as our longstanding partnership, with this feature performance on NPR’s From the Top”, said Leah Rosenthal, Director of Programming, La Jolla Music Society. “It is our goal to offer excellent artistic and educational experiences to these talented students. With a broadcast to nearly half a million listeners and the opportunity to work with artists like Vijay Gupta and George Li, I think we’ve really accomplished our aim with this opportunity.”

The live taping of From the Top will showcase principal and assistant principal musicians from the Youth Symphony’s most experienced Symphony Orchestra which make up the Chamber Orchestra. Performing selections from Kabalevsky’s rarely heard Comedian’s Suite, originally written for the Children’s Theater, the orchestra will also perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with pianist George Li. A La Jolla Music Society Discovery Series artist, Li has rapidly established a major international reputation, performing regularly with some of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors including Gergiev, Dudamel, Honeck, Petrenko, Tilson Thomas and Long Yu.

During the program, Kevin will have the opportunity to perform a duet with host Vijay Gupta. “Learning and performing alongside professional musicians is enlightening because they are mentors and partners throughout the process,” said Kevin. “It’s a constant reminder of the communal nature of music, and that no matter their age, background or education, musicians can always come together and grow. It’s part of the beauty of music.”

For newly appointed President and CEO of SDYS Dr. Michael Remson, the program taping highlights a multi-faceted vision for the organization. “Partnerships like the one between SDYS and LJMS are crucial for bringing additional learning experiences and arts exposure to students from all socio-economic backgrounds.”

NPR’s From the Top
Saturday, April 13, 2019 – 6 PM
The Baker-Baum Concert Hall at
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
7600 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Ticket Prices
$28 – $68
Tickets: sdys.org/FTT

sdys.org
ljms.org
fromthetop.org

High-resolution photos available upon request.

About San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory

Established in 1945, The San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory (SDYS) is the 6th oldest continuously operating youth symphony in the United States, serving 600 beginning through advanced and pre-professional students annually in 13 orchestras and ensembles. Performances at world-class venues including Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall and California Center for the Arts in Escondido provide opportunities for San Diegans to witness the talent and dedication found in our local young musicians as they hone their performance skills.

In addition to its conservatory programs based in Balboa Park, SDYS is a nationally recognized leader in music education advocacy. Driven by a vision of accessible and affordable music education for all, SDYS has been instrumental in the return of major arts and music education funding and programs to public schools throughout San Diego County.

The Community Opus project, produced in partnership with the Chula Vista Elementary School District provides afterschool music programs to students throughout the district. SDYS’ early childhood music education program, ChIMES (Childhood Introduction to Music Education, with Smiles!) is delivered to the public through sessions held in Balboa Park and in Chula Vista transitional kindergarten classes. Collaborative research studies are underway to track the social and academic achievements of our students resulting from involvement in music education. Through SDYS’ growing collaborations with parents, educators, researchers, and community partners, SDYS strives for an educational system in which every young person inspired by the art and rigor of making music embodies a future rich with hope, joy, and the rewards of personal achievement and community involvement.

 

San Diego Youth Symphony