 YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
OF SAN ANTONIO
By ERIN DENNIS
Photography courtesy of YOSA
For the young students in YOSA’s Symphony ensemble, this
30th anniversary season holds many more exciting new
events than previous years.
The media focus is usually given to the top-tiered orchestra,
the YOSA Philharmonic and its Gold Series of concerts featuring
nationally renowned guest artists. But this year YOSA aims to
showcase all of its five orchestras by performing in new venues,
making the concerts accessible by charging no or minimal
admission, and exploring new avenues in programming.
Symphony conductor Deana Johnson has always made it a
point to challenge her students with classical repertoire that
exposes them to the masterpieces they are most familiar with,
but she also has a passion for newer works. On Feb. 18, the YOSA
Symphony will present a performance of the music of Canadian
composer Gabriel Thibaudeau, accompanying the classic Lon
Chaney silent film The Phantom of the Opera. This exciting
evening will feature the film on a large screen with the YOSA
Symphony playing in the foreground.
The story of Phantom is a sophisticated blend of suspense
and romance that has endeared itself to our culture over the
decades. In 1925 the story was first adapted into film and
embodied by Chaney. Typically, silent films were accompanied
by organ or piano only, as composing a full score was rare and
very difficult to orchestrate, especially in smaller cities where the
musicians were not as available. Thibaudeau was commissioned
in 1990 by the Cinématheque Québecoise to compose
an original score for the restored print of the film. This work has
been performed throughout Europe, the United States and
Canada by professional symphonies and chamber groups.
Thibaudeau has since composed many more scores to films
and is considered one of Canada’s foremost experts on silent film
accompaniments. Johnson knows that this work will be challenging
for the symphony students and that the performance will truly
celebrate YOSA’s legacy of music excellence in the community.
Members of the YOSA Symphony will not take a break after the
performance of Phantom,for immediately after its conclusion they
will embark on rehearsals for their next event, another new undertaking
for the ensemble. Opening the week of Fiesta, they will
present a free community outdoor concert on the grounds of the
historical Mission San José. They will be joined by a 40-piece mariachi
group from Somerset High School and the SAISD Mariachi
Department under the direction of Noe Sanchez.With the support
of local vendors and donors, this concert event, entitled Fiesta
Symphonia, aims to become an annual event.
The YOSA season closes in May. After all the ensembles have
concluded their concerts, the seniors have been accepted and
are preparing to leave for college,and everyone else is waiting for
summer to come,YOSA will be busy representing the United States
through performance by traveling to Finland, Estonia, and Russia.
Two weeks after YOSA’s return, the summer string camp will
resume with more students than ever in its history. So it seems
that YOSA and its students never really rest and are dedicated
to their goals of continuing their legacy of excellence.
CONCERT/CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phantom of the Opera
7 pm, Sunday, Feb. 18
Jefferson High School
Adults $5/ students and seniors $3 at the door
Fiesta Symphonia
6 pm, Sunday, April 22
Mission San Jose
FREE Admission
For more information and to find other concert dates, visit www.yosa.org or call (210) 737-0097. |
