IV Symphony showcases superb young musicians

The grand finale of the 43rd season of the Imperial Valley Symphony Association, Inc. features the Young Artist Concert presenting outstanding talents of several young musicians, Saturday.

The orchestra will be led by Joel Jacklich, founding music director and conductor of the Imperial Valley Symphony. The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Jimmie Cannon Theater for the Performing Arts, Southwest High School.

Opening the performance is the overture to Gypsy Baron, the second movement by Johann Strauss Jr. The concert proceeds to “SOAR” the marimba concerto second movement, Rainbow’s Lament, by Robert Oetomo. The piece features musician Mia Torres of Imperial High School.

The orchestra is bringing in some musicians from San Diego to reinforce various sections of the orchestra so as to perform with full orchestration that was not necessarily available locally. “It’s also an opportunity for students to perform alongside more seasoned musicians,” pointed out Jacklich.

The next piece will be the first movement of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D major, this featuring Dan Drewry, also from Imperial High School. This will be followed by Bela Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances with all of the proceeding conducted by Brandilyn Davidson, assistant professor of music at Imperial Valley College.

The following performances will be conducted by Matthew Busse, Southwest High School director of Orchestras. The next piece will be Max Bruch’s violin concertos, the first two movements, this time featuring Nicole Shue, SHS student. This will be followed up with an Edvard Grieg piano concerto, the first movement, featuring Anthony Mayer, also a SHS student.

The Strauss and Bartok pieces are in particular light fun, almost classical pop, remarked Jacklich.

“The idea is to get as many people as possible among the audience involved,” he said. “We want them to dip their toes into classical music, without too heavy a presentation so they’ll return for the next concert.”

All performances are free, unlike many orchestras throughout the country who are struggling for funds to continue performances, noted Jacklich. But the orchestra is hoping to receive some donations in order to sustain their scholarship fund. The soloists of this performance receive approximately $300 each to continue their musical education so an open violin case will be placed in the foyer of the theater for donations. In the past 43 years there has been $71,500 donated.

People may also mail contributions to: Imperial Valley Symphony Orchestra Association, P.O. Box 713, El Centro, CA 922440713.

Donors are asked to include their name and address to get a tax deductible receipt as the symphony is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit.