Los Angeles Youth Orchestra to Present Spring Concert, Featuring World Premiere and Classical Masterpieces (2024)

The Los Angeles Youth Orchestra (LAYO) will present its annual spring concert on Monday, April 15, at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. The program will include the world premiere of Russell Steinberg’s “Cirrus Nimbus” and a variety of classical masterpieces, demonstrating the orchestra’s commitment to both contemporary and traditional repertoire.

Russell Steinberg, LAYO’s founder and artistic director, will conduct the orchestra in a program designed to showcase the talents of the young musicians. The concert will offer a diverse musical experience for attendees, featuring both new and established works.

The world premiere of Steinberg’s new composition “Cirrus Nimbus” will be a notable aspect of the concert. The composition is inspired by the beauty and transcendence of clouds. The piece will provide insight into the composer’s style and the orchestra’s ability to interpret contemporary music.

In addition to Steinberg’s new work, the program will include a selection of classical pieces, highlighting the orchestra’s proficiency in performing standard repertoire. The juxtaposition of old and new works aims to create a well-rounded musical experience for the audience.

This premiere adds a unique and contemporary flair to the concert, complementing classical masterpieces that include Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony, selections from Haydn’s “London Symphony,” Bartok’s Pieces for Children, and Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 2.

“I select works first for their artistic quality, and second for their potential to take both my students and our audiences on a transformational journey,” Steinberg said. “I especially enjoy how their attitudes about the music change as they get to know it better and better. In these particular concerts, all the music has a pastoral-folk theme.”

The concert’s significance extends beyond its musical offerings. LAYO, a cornerstone of musical education for young talents aged 8-18, nurtures and showcases the next generation of musicians.

“Our mission is to build a passion for classical music that lasts a lifetime,” Steinberg said. “I want great art to be an anchor for our students in an accelerating world that leaves us mostly just scrambling on the surface of things. We use a mentoring model where professional musical coaches work with students at each rehearsal. My philosophy is that if you treat these smart young people like professional adults, they tend to rise to that level.”

The choice of venue, Ambassador Auditorium, also adds to the concert’s allure, offering world-class acoustics and ambiance that enhance the musical experience.

“Ambassador Auditorium is a world-class concert hall,” Steinberg said. “For the first time, they are able to hear correct balances between the different orchestra groups. They discover their sound projects with far less effort than at our rehearsal venue. Of course, it’s the ultimate reward for them to be able to create their music in a hall that makes it all sound so beautiful.”

Founded by Steinberg, the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra has been an integral part of the city’s cultural landscape, offering young musicians the chance to develop their skills and gain performance experience. The spring concert is a significant event in the orchestra’s season, drawing music enthusiasts from the surrounding area.

Tickets for the family-friendly concert are $10 to $30. To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/los-angeles-youth-orchestra-spring-2024-concert-ambassador-auditorium-tickets-835168640887?aff=odcleoeventsincollection.

Aspiring young musicians looking to pursue a career in classical music can find inspiration and advice from Steinberg, who encourages students to have multiple “careers” within music.

“Conservatories exist to promote the tenth of one percent of students who actually have successful solo careers. They don’t do much for everyone else after graduation,” he said. “But in LAYO I’ve noticed something interesting. As the playing level has become more and more advanced, more and more of our students are pursuing careers in classical music. And that’s beautiful.”

To learn more about the LAYO’s programming, visit https://losangelesyouthorchestra.org/.

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