San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
The music doesn’t stop
Michael Remson of the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory says: ‘We’re keeping the essence of what we do’
When an organization reaches its 75th anniversary, it is time to look back, look ahead and celebrate. ■ But things can get tricky when the anniversary occurs in the year 2020. ■ For the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory, the coronavirus pandemic — despite causing scheduling challenges — has resulted in a notably more tech-savvy staff, online successes and even a record-breaking fundraiser. The nonprofit’s annual spring gala raised $140,000 — $20,000 more than its event in 2019.
“There we were in March, when everything shut down, and our gala was set for May,” said Michael Remson, president and CEO of the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory. “We pulled together a combination of live and prerecorded excerpts and learned special software to go back and forth. We basically had to learn to put on a TV show.”
Remson and his team tackled a huge learning curve, producing the concert video with no glitches or frozen screens.
“I’m unbelievably proud of my staff,” he said. “We’re grateful to our donors — tickets had been sold. Every single donor said to keep the ticket money.
“We also invited people from all over the country and had viewers and donors who aren’t from San Diego. That was lemonade from lemons, for sure.”
SDYS, as it’s widely known, is the nation’s sixth-oldest continuously operating youth symphony. Around 600 pre-professional students, ages 7 to 22, participate each year in its flagship ensemble program, which has 14 ensembles and orchestras.
In non-pandemic years, the program is held in Balboa Park. It welcomes students who, through private lessons, have command of an instrument. Tuition assistance is available.
Musical pathways
With SDYS’ “cradle to college” approach, kids learn music, make friends, and much more, through what Remson calls pathways. CHIMES (Childhood Introduction to Music Education with Smiles) lives up to its name by teaching music from infancy to the age of 5.
Of SDYS’ many outreach efforts, the Community Opus Project is the biggest. Opus works with Chula Vista public schools to offer students opportunities to join in-school and after-school instrumental ensembles, and to experience coaching and workshops. Many Opus students enter the ensemble program.
Chula Vista resident Noor Alramadan, 16, started the Opus Project in the fourth grade. Now an 11th-grader at Bonita Vista High School, she plays clarinet in SDYS’ intermediate-level full orchestra and in her school’s marching band.
“SDYS lets us play instruments, basically for free, and gives us lessons,” Alramadan said. “Music is expensive. When I needed to audition for the Balboa Park program, they helped me through the process.
“When I joined SDYS, I had a close-knit group of friends, but I was too shy to talk to adults or people from other schools,” Alramadan recalled. “In SDYS, I learned to talk with other kids. I got the confidence to speak to teachers and to perform onstage.”
In addition to music lessons, instruments and scholarships, SDYS offers free concert tickets for family members. Parents are encouraged to get involved.
Double anniversary
Remson became SDYS’ CEO and president in January 2019. He had led Houston’s American Festival for the Arts from 2007, after being with the nonprofit since 1996. The group provides youth-accessible, high-quality music education and performance opportunities.
“SDYS is a nationally known organization doing groundbreaking work in music education,” said Remson, who is also a composer. “It was a great opportunity to come and make a difference here in this beautiful city that I’ve adopted and come to adore.
“It’s one thing to have programs that provide opportunity to kids who wouldn’t have a chance to learn music otherwise. But what’s crucial is what happens after the sixth grade. We want them to have pathways to go to the Balboa Park program. … This is doing it right. It was an amazing opportunity for me to walk into SDYS and build on it.”
Remson felt an immediate kinship with SDYS Music Director Jeff Edmons, who is celebrating his 25th anniversary with the 75-year-old organization.
Calling Edmons “an amazing teacher,” Remson said the two had marathon phone conversations while Remson packed in Houston before arriving here. He credits their close working relationship to their constant focus on students.
Praise for Edmons is seconded by Anthony Do-hoon Kim, a conductor of two separate orchestras at SDYS. As a student at La Jolla High School, Kim was Edmons’ student in the Balboa Park program from 2001 to 2003.
“Since Jeff became our music director, SDYS has grown tremendously, both in size and scope,” Kim said via email. “His musical DNA is imprinted in the heart and soul of who we are as an artistic organization. He sets a very high standard that we all strive for.”
Extended celebration
Remson said that the 25th anniversary party they had planned for Edmons has been postponed, as have several 75th anniversary events. Like the gala, some were transformed into virtual events. On Nov. 15, SDYS and several San Diego Symphony musicians collaborated on a virtual mini-conference with master classes and panel discussions.
Instead of rehearsals at Balboa Park, the ensemble program is now online and uses Smartmusic and other apps.
“As they learn music and get more confident, they can create their own recording,” Remson noted. “They can send it to the teachers for feedback. In an ideal world, we can assemble the music so that it sounds close to live. Our conductors, students and staff all had to learn how to do it.
“The future has unknowns, but we are definitely continuing the celebration. You only turn 75 once! The big message is: The music doesn’t stop. We’re keeping the essence of what we do. The kids are learning and feel they are part of a community that cares about them. That will sustain us.”